Abstract: An electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal may include a communication interface connected to a vehicle network of a vehicle, a card socket configured to accommodate insertion of a payment card, a card integrated circuit (IC) chip configured to store card information of an issued card, and a controller configured to activate, based on a user input received via the communication interface, at least one of the card IC chip or the card socket.

Abstract: A system for collecting a toll owed by a rental vehicle traveling along a toll road includes network interface hardware. a memory module, and a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface hardware and the memory module. Wherein the memory module stores logic that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a rental start notification from the network interface hardware; and automatically execute toll payment logic stored on the memory module in response to receipt of the rental start notification. The toll payment logic causes the processor to detect and toll payment event throughout a rental period.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to use of supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, or reinforcement-based machine learning algorithm(s) to perform pattern recognition and/or cluster detection on historical transactional data in order to predict events that may occur in the future and are candidates for automated delivery of items from a source to a customer in a contactless manner, via a secure delivery device, to minimize health risk(s) to the customer. The items may be securely delivered in an automated manner such as, for example, by use of a drone or autonomous vehicle, which may have advanced sensors to facilitate various aspects of the delivery. The items may be contained in a secure carrier coupled to the delivery device and may be unlocked locally or remotely using mechanical or digital means. Novel logical systems, architectures, machines, platforms, delivery devices and components thereof, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate automated querying of shipping services status information using a rules based engine are disclosed. A shipping status query engine of embodiments implements various rules for intelligently querying one or more shipping service provider systems for information regarding the status of shipped items. Using the intelligent determinations of a rules base shipping status query engine, embodiments enable large scale, automated status queries for a very large number of shipped items. Having such automated access to updated status information for the shipped items, additional functionality may also be supported, such as to provide alerts, reminders, notifications, etc., upon detecting certain events and/or failure to detect certain events. Moreover, embodiments may be adapted to utilize the updated status information to initiate actions with respect to particular shipments based upon detected events and/or failure to detect certain events.

Abstract: When it is necessary to charge the battery of one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles, a vehicle management computer acquires information relating to a charging facility that supplies electric power to a charge-discharge device, and information relating to the battery of another vehicle, which is different from the first vehicle, and which battery is connected to the first vehicle via the charge-discharge device. Based on the information relating to the charging facility and the information relating to the battery of the other vehicle, the vehicle management computer determines which is least expensive, a first cost associated with charging the battery of the first vehicle using the electric power that is supplied from the charging facility, or a second cost associated with charging the battery of the first vehicle using the electric power that is discharged from the battery of the other vehicle.

Abstract: A system can be configured to receive and analyze an image captured by a user device at a delivery location. The system can utilize local algorithms tailored to the delivery location to confirm that the delivery location is the intended delivery location for a package. The system can utilize global algorithms to generate three-dimensional models of the delivery environment and an augmented reality interface providing delivery instructions to the deliverer. The delivery instructions include indications of approved delivery locations and rejected delivery locations associated with the general delivery location of the customer. The delivery instructions and the user device can be utilized to ensure package placement for secure delivery to a customer.

Abstract: A package container includes a processor that is configured to store a trial end time based at least in part on receiving a return request. The processor is also configured to determine a trial duration based on a comparison of a trial start time and the trial end time. The processor is further configured to initiate sending of a transportation request to a delivery management server in response to the processor determining that the trial duration is less than or equal to a trial duration threshold. The transportation request indicates a request to initiate sending of a transportation vehicle to a delivery location to retrieve the package container from the delivery location.

Abstract: A property tour management system automatically manages creation, real-time facilitation, and analytics associated with property tours. The system includes various portals to provide access to information and performance of functions useful to agents, buyers, and real-estate organizations relating to a property tour experience. The system enables all parties involved to gain a more efficient, more informational, and more enjoyable property tour experience.

Abstract: A hardware system enables computer network interaction between network identity services and account-based service applications. In some examples, the network identity service biometrically identifies people. The network identity services and/or account-based service applications interact to exchange data in order to monitor, track, initiate, and/or cooperatively and/or individually perform various functions while protecting data that should not be shared and minimizing communication network usage and hardware and software resources. This interaction enables both to accomplish more and different tasks than they could individually while improving operational efficiency of hardware and software components of both.

Abstract: A secure transport case having multiple compartments protects consumables from interference during delivery between a restaurant and a consumer. Multiple compartments provide temperature smart technology to maintain a desired temperature of the consumables during transit. A locking mechanism of the transport case is kept locked during transit and is unlocked by a secret key by the consumer. A mobile application is provided to a user to place an order, monitor the status of the secure transport case, the order itself, and to receive the secret code to unlock the secure transport case upon delivery.

Abstract: A flight departure control system comprises a central departure control system and a plurality of local departure control systems arranged at or in proximity of individual airports. Passengers check-in for flights via the central DCS and for each passenger a passenger data message is created and sent to the local DCS to which the flight relates. On detection of a fault condition at the central DCS or in communications with the central DCS, the local DCS assume responsibility for flights departing from the airport at which they are located based on the received passenger data messages and unchecked-in passengers check-in directly with the local DCS.

Abstract: A method for parcel delivery service that permits secure and timely delivery of items to unattended vehicles. The method includes receiving an order to deliver an item to a vehicle. A current location of the vehicle may be determined using vehicle identification information. After the vehicle has been located, the item may be authenticated at the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle may be automatically provided to enable the vehicle to securely receive the item. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A hardware system enables computer network interaction between network identity services and account-based service applications. In some examples, the network identity service biometrically identifies people. The network identity services and/or account-based service applications interact to exchange data in order to monitor, track, initiate, and/or cooperatively and/or individually perform various functions while protecting data that should not be shared and minimizing communication network usage and hardware and software resources. This interaction enables both to accomplish more and different tasks than they could individually while improving operational efficiency of hardware and software components of both.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an actual cost of ownership of a purchase product may include determining a baseline value of the purchase product, and receiving usage information representative of usage of a user product from a computing device in communication with the user product. The purchase product and the user product may belong to a same class of products. The method also may include determining a user cost component based on the received usage information, and determining an actual cost of ownership of the purchase product based on at least the baseline value and the user cost component.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels.

Abstract: A method includes: for each of a delivery source and each of plural delivery destinations to which goods are delivered, receiving distance information indicating a distance between points, delivery amount information indicating a total delivery amount of the goods to each of the plural delivery destinations, and maximum delivery amount information indicating a maximum delivery amount per delivery; calculating a first cost to deliver the goods for the total delivery amount from the delivery source to each of the plural delivery destinations while setting the maximum delivery amount indicated by the maximum delivery amount information; calculating a second cost to deliver the goods for the total delivery amount from the delivery source to each of the delivery destinations; executing selection processing for selecting a delivery destination by using the first cost and the second cost; and creating a delivery plan by using a result of the selection processing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a network of multi-functional sensors; where, based on a quality insurance, each multi-functional sensor is positioned in, on, or in a vicinity of: a transported cargo and/or a cargo container, containing the transported cargo; where each multi-functional sensor is configured to measure particular transport-related condition, particular cargo-related condition, or both, to form cargo transport sensor data and wirelessly transmit it to a server that is configured to dynamically predict, based on the cargo transport sensor data, a predicted quality loss of the transported cargo, determine a current loss value of the transported cargo and cause one or more remedial actions that include instantaneously instructing to pay a payout amount to an owner of the transported cargo to compensate for the current loss value and/or transmitting a remedial instruction with an adjustment to the operation of one or more of a cargo transport, the cargo container, and a cargo s

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to use of supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, or reinforcement-based machine learning algorithm(s) to perform pattern recognition and/or cluster detection on historical transactional data in order to predict events that may occur in the future and are candidates for automated delivery of items from a source to a customer in a contactless manner, via a secure delivery device, to minimize health risk(s) to the customer. The items may be securely delivered in an automated manner such as, for example, by use of a drone or autonomous vehicle, which may have advanced sensors to facilitate various aspects of the delivery. The items may be contained in a secure carrier coupled to the delivery device and may be unlocked locally or remotely using mechanical or digital means. Novel logical systems, architectures, machines, platforms, delivery devices and components thereof, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Dynamic geofence zones may be deployed and updated for a ride sharing service. At least one set of dynamic geofence zones may be created which are associated with a ride sharing service. At least one time period may be set for the at least one set of dynamic geofence zones. The at least one set of dynamic geofence zones may be deployed. The at least one set of dynamic geofence zones may be updated.

Abstract: Wait location information acquisition means of a logistics system acquires wait location information on a wait location of each of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles. Remaining amount information acquisition means acquires remaining amount information on a remaining amount of a battery or fuel of each of the unmanned aerial vehicles. Package information acquisition means acquires package information on a collection destination and delivery destination of a package. Search means searches for an unmanned aerial vehicle with a remaining amount of the battery or fuel for delivering the package collected at the collection destination to the delivery destination based on the wait location information and remaining amount information on each of the unmanned aerial vehicles and the package information. Instruction means instincts the unmanned aerial vehicle retrieved by the search means to collect and deliver the package.