Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a service architecture design that provides enterprise services having logistics execution functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.

Abstract: The invention facilitates monitoring, identifying, allocating and distributing the costs related to the consumption of raw technology resources by an organization. The invention provides a controller for automatically billing a designated account, project, division or third party for fees associated with the computing time, use or other similar services. The system may utilize a rules engine or any other factors for dividing the billings. The system may provide loyalty points for computer usage or accept loyalty points to pay for computer usage. The system may also monitor use in substantially real-time or provide notifications and warnings related to low or excessive use. Enhanced descriptive billing statements can be created simplifying the process of reconciling fees to the computing costs. The system may also compile usage statistics and send out requests for bids to obtain improved financial arrangements or to share usage with other entities.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing transactions between at least one buying company and at least one selling company using a central datastore accessible to users from the buying company and selling company. Purchase order and invoice data are obtained and compared to identify a matched record having purchase order data and corresponding invoice data. A collaborative data set in the central datastore is created, based in part on the matched record and storing in the datastore detailed settlement data regarding settlement of the matched record of purchase order data and corresponding invoice data. A complete settlement transaction history is stored by providing for storage of additional settlement data in the central datastore, wherein credit memos, debit memos regarding the invoice, the purchase order of the matched record, and/or other documents related to the transaction are stored as part of the collaborative data set.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking expenditures incurred by an entity involves determining the costs incurred, reading a file containing business model information, and allocating the costs according to the business model information. The business model information includes information regarding the internal structure of the entity including groups and sub-groups within the entity. Furthermore, value drivers of the entity and application profiles of the entity are also taken into consideration in determining whether various groups and sub-groups within the entity are performing optimally.

Abstract: In order to provide an integrated driving recorder that can avoid a trouble due to a temperature rise in a vehicle interior, the driving recorder 1 is so arranged that one or multiple detection devices that sense a situation concerning a behavior, a surrounding conditions of a vehicle, or the like and that output situation data indicating the situation, and a situation data storage section that stores the situation data output from the detection device are held in a single casing 2, and a heat dissipation area 2a is formed on the casing 2 and a heat conduction member 9 that has a predetermined thermal conductivity and whose one surface is connected to the heat dissipation area 2a is arranged and another surface of the heat conduction member 9 can be bonded to a window glass W of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control system for controlling an auxiliary device of a vehicle, wherein the auxiliary device is automatically started at a starting time which is determined based on an estimated departure time of the vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to an air-conditioning device which is automatically started for pre-air-conditioning (PAC) based on an estimate departure time of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The invention enables a precise and flexible automatic determination of an activation time of the auxiliary device, wherein determining a time of usage of at least one home appliance of a user of the vehicle; determining a departure time of the vehicle based on the time of usage of the at least one home appliance; and determining a starting time of said auxiliary device based on the determined departure time of the vehicle are determined.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enrolling an employer with an agency. The method includes obtaining employer data from the employer, evaluating a requirement to enroll with the agency based on the employer data, accessing a customized interface associated with the agency based on the requirement, transmitting the employer data to the customized interface, and receiving an employer enrollment credential from the agency to confirm enrollment with the agency.

Abstract: A computer program product for managing a supply chain process to maintain equipment is described. The computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. The computer-readable program code includes a first executable portion for identifying and capturing data relevant to one or more sets of equipment maintenance requirements, a second executable portion for providing access to the capabilities of a plurality of inventory management, supply chain management, and equipment maintenance applications for preprocessing of the identified and captured data, a third executable portion for receiving the preprocessed data from the plurality of applications, and a fourth executable portion for integrating the preprocessed data into a solution to the one or more sets of equipment maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-checkout system that selectively activates an alarm when an item is determined to be stolen, engages the user regarding the purchase of the item, and informs the user of the purchase status of the item. When an item is determined to be stolen, and a number of occurrences of the item in the database indicating it is stolen is greater than a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time, a theft detection module does not transmit a security signal to activate an alarm. The invention can also include a touch-screen display including a first portion dedicated to displaying POS transactions and online shopping and a second portion dedicated to displaying interactive digital media related to the item. Furthermore, the invention can include indicators on the touch screen display to indicate the status of an item.

Abstract: An accounting method and system is disclosed that provides for real time financial accounting of plant performance at a sub-plant level. A multiplicity of process variable transmitters is utilized to sense, in real time, the current state of the processes and process equipment used in a manufacturing plant. Sub-plant accounting modules utilize the sensed process data to calculate a plurality of sub-plant accounting measures, which are stored in one or more real time plant historian. The accounting measures are typically converted to a suitable format and subsequently stored in a production model accounting database where they are accessible to an accounting module.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a storage medium having instructions for a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast.

Abstract: A method and system for determining, storing, and analyzing product country classifications is disclosed. In one embodiment, a classification for a part is accessed. In addition, a country information database having a list of countries for shipment of the part is accessed wherein the list of countries is based on the classification of the part. Next, country classification information is generated for the part automatically, wherein the country classification information is generated in conjunction with the classification and the list of countries designated for the part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device to increase the number of members in a dating service developing their profiles by providing a financial incentive. The invention further reduces unwanted communications from other members by allowing member recipients of the unwanted communication to receive a fee, paid by the sender, for receiving the communication. The invention further reduces unwanted communications from other members by allowing a member sending a communication to place on the profile of the member receiving the communication a comment which the receiving member cannot remove unless the received fee is returned, if the fee is not returned the member receiving the communication may post a responding comment. The invention further increases the safety of the members by providing the sender and receiver of a message a code that may be used by each to identify the other.

Abstract: A method, software and apparatus are provided which enable a user to obtain products and services in a manner which counteracts conflicting actions modifying raw ranking data based on merchants interests. For this purpose, an information a user's web browser is provided with modules that modify search results obtained from one or more sources including directly from merchants. When the user enters a set of key words in an entry field in an on-screen form for a web server to obtain a list of items (products and/or services) of interest to the user, the search terms are modified in the users or his agents browser to reflect the interest of the user, his management or his parents. The user or his agent receives ranking information taking the highest ranked products and obtains the product information for the most highly ranked products. The browser then reranks the products using a ranking algorithm preferred by the user that offsets information sources biases in the ranking of the product information.

Abstract: A component management system can comprise one or more software tools that streamline creation and adjustment of documents that indicate parts stocking requirements for manufacturing assets. The manufacturing assets may comprise machines, sub-assemblies, and the like, while the components comprise parts, tools, and other equipment used to maintain operation of the manufacturing assets. The component management system can be used to enhance authorization processes by handling authority to stock documents online. Furthermore, by interfacing with an enterprise resource planning system, such as SAP, component and inventory management can be made more efficient and flexible. For instance, simulations of future versions of the installed component base can be used to generate component forecast documents useful for proactive component management.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically processing Advanced Ship Notices (ASNs). In one embodiment, the method receives a first set of data associated with an ASN. The method further compares one or more data fields included in the first set of data with a second set of data associated with a Purchase Order (PO). In addition, the method determines a status associated with a shipment of items based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for associating a first participant and a second participant in a social network. In one embodiment, payment is received from a first participant. Additionally, an association between the first participant and a second participant in a social network is provided, in exchange for the payment.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response; and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast. The method also includes monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment, refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center, and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal.