Abstract: A system and method for using targeted network traffic as payment-in-kind in exchange for rights to anything that may be connected to a network, such as network-connected computer hardware and copyrighted software or content on such hardware, is disclosed. The method may be adapted for use with almost any product or service which may be tracked over a network. The system and method are for use with transactions between a user of a subject product or service and a provider of the subject product or service desiring to receive traffic to a target in exchange for it.

Abstract: A wireless charging method includes searching one or more rechargeable electronic devices, receiving power service information from one or more searched electronic devices, determining whether the one or more searched electronic devices are rechargeable based on the received power service information, and if the one or more searched electronic devices are rechargeable, receiving power from the electronic devices.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive from an administrator, a rule specifying one or more values of a parameter, identification of software wherein the rule is to be applied, and identification of a user on whom the rule is to be applied. The computer stores an association between the rule, the identified user and the identified software. On receipt of input from the identified user, to access the identified software, the computer uses the association to retrieve the rule, apply the rule to select information based on the value(s) specified in the rule, and execute the identified software to display the selected information to the identified user. Use of a rule that is specific to the user and also specific to the software enables the computer to support security for each user differently for different pieces of software in a software product line.

Abstract: A method of ordering menu items for delivery to a station at a premises, such as a table at a restaurant, includes the steps: Launch App; Scan QR code or NFC tag on table; Identify location. The location is identified using the restaurant and table identifier(s) extracted from the QR code. This location is used to identify the correct restaurant menu from the central platform database; Download menu; Add menu items to order; Confirm order; Pay order; Route order. The restaurant identifier is used to determine the appropriate EPOS adaptor based on the EPOS system in use by the specific restaurant; Transmit to restaurant. The correct communication protocol and authentication details are then used in order to route the order to the restaurant EPOS system or printer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for issuing bills on an account to a primary account holder and at least one secondary account holder. The methods and systems allow separate component bills to be sent to the primary and secondary account holders based on instructions received from the primary account holder. In one embodiment, the component bills represent the portion of the total bill that is attributable to the recipient of the component bill. In another embodiment, payment reminders are sent to the primary and secondary account holders before the payment deadline. Account identification information can be encoded on each payment received from a primary or secondary account holder so that the payment can be properly credited to the account.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing products where the product is shown, presented or advertised via a first communication method and a request to purchase that product is issued substantially simultaneously with the listening or viewing of the product. The request is then transmitted via a second communication method to a distributor who fills the order for such products.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for brokering a charging process of an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a process extracts event data associated with the charging process from a charge notification in response to receiving the charge notification indicating that the charging process of the electric vehicle is complete. The event data may include, but is not limited to, duration of the charging process, quantity of electricity transferred, or rate at which electricity was transferred during the charging process. The process then identifies, from an energy transaction plan, a set of payees participating in the charging process. Thereafter, the process disburses a payment owed to the set of payees. An amount of the payment is calculated using payment terms in profiles of the set of payees. The payment includes funds from at least one of a payer fund and an incentive fund.

Abstract: The mobile commerce authentication and authorization system allows a user of a currently existing mobile wireless communications instrument to conduct financial transactions, including purchases, across a wireless communications system using location data to authorize and authenticate the user and the transaction. The location of the mobile wireless communications instrument and the location of a vendor point-of-sale device are matched with a payment sum. Authentication of the mobile wireless communications instrument user is achieved at least by application of the position and/or location determinable features of the mobile wireless communications instrument, the position and/or location of a point-of-sale device of a vendor or merchant where the instrument user seeks to purchase goods or services, and the payment sum entered on the point-of-sale device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing configurable menus to customers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computer server communicates with electronic ordering devices operated by customers, and the computer server receives purchasing information from one or more customers sent by respective ones of the electronic ordering devices. The computer server generates a first digitized menu for at least one of the customers based on the purchasing information, and sends the first digitized menu to the at least one electronic ordering device for display on the at least one electronic ordering device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for identifying maneuvers for a vehicle in conflict situations. A plurality of miss points are calculated for the vehicle and as well as object conditions at which the vehicle will miss an impact with the at least one other object by a range of miss distances. The miss points are displayed such that a plurality of miss points at which the vehicle would miss impact by a given miss distance indicative of a given degree of conflict is visually distinguishable from other miss points at which the vehicle would miss impact by greater miss distances indicative of a lesser degree of conflict. The resulting display indicates varying degrees of potential conflict to present, in a directional view display, a range of available maneuvers for the vehicle in accordance with varying degrees of conflict.

Abstract: There is a driving assisting apparatus capable of reducing a feeling of discomfort of a driver by respecting the driver's operation as much as possible in a range where an obstacle can be reliably avoided by intervention control. An ECU 2 of a driving assisting apparatus 1 includes an obstacle detecting section 22, a control course calculating section 23, a determination section 24, and an intervention control executing section 25. The obstacle detecting section 22 detects an obstacle region around a vehicle. The control course calculating section 23 calculates an intervention control course, which can be taken by the vehicle, when the intervention control is executed after the driver's operation is allowed for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel systems and methods for manufacturing estimation, production assembly and inventory management. In an embodiment, a system is provided to create and respond to RFPs, perform capacity planning for an eventual production line, efficiently implement the production line in software, and track detailed warehouse data, including transaction data. Such tracking may allow process improvement, report generation, and market research analysis. In an embodiment, one or more systems may be used to implement one or more aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing payment vehicle recommendations are provided herein. In the systems and methods, a transaction associated with one of a transaction amount and purchase items is identified based on the transaction data; one or more payment rules associated with the transaction are identified; the terms of the one or more payment rules are compared with the transaction amount or purchase items; the most favorable payment vehicle for the transaction is determined based on the comparison of the terms of the one or more payment rules and the transaction amount or purchase items; and a recommendation of at least one payment vehicle is provided based on the determination of the most favorable payment vehicle on a display of a mobile device of a user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a POS terminal includes a printer, a display, a screen display section, a selection operation input section, and an issue section. The printer prints and issues a receipt related to a commodity transaction. The display displays information. The screen display section displays, on the display, a selection screen for selecting an information item to be printed on the receipt. The selection-operation input section selects, according to selection operation in the selection screen displayed by the screen display section, the information item to be printed on the receipt. The issue section issues a receipt on which the information item selected by the selection-operation input section is printed and an information item not selected by the selection-operation input section is not printed.

Abstract: A system and method for postage payment utilizes passive RFID tags as postage “stamps”, with the amount of the postage automatically billed to a previously-established customer account. The tags are stored in a separate stamp database and are “enabled” by linking the individual tag to a customer account. The use of the RFID stamps eliminates the need for the customer to know the proper postage beforehand. The existence of a customer account with a proper return address reduces the likelihood of a dead letter. Also, a special category of stamps may be used for automatic reply mail. By virtue of using an RFID tag, the mailed item's progress through the postal delivery system may be tracked from dispatch to delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for determining a billing structure for outputting documents. The method determines if pixels of image data of a document in device independent space are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (e.g., color), and, based on at least the determined neutral pixels in device independent space, determines a billable pixel count of color pixels in the image data. In one example, the determined billable pixel count of color pixels is based on at least both an estimated color count in device independent space and a determined pixel count in device dependent space. In another, pixels are tagged based on the neutral and/or non-neutral determination in device independent space, and, if the tag indicates that a selected pixel is color in device dependent space, the selected pixel is counted for the billable pixel count.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a financial transaction between a prospective transactor and a transactee has an identity and account verifying facility for verifying the identity of the prospective transactor and an account that the prospective transactor has with a financial institution, the identity and account verifying facility being operated by an independent verifier. The identity and account verifying facility includes a storage means for storing an identifier of the prospective transactor and details of at least one account held by the transactor at the financial institution. An identifier input means is provided whereby the transactor enters his identifier when he subscribes to the service.

Abstract: A method and device to help an aircraft change altitude in case of reduced separations is disclosed. The device, embarked on board the airplane, comprises means for determining a performing time range during which the altitude change maneuver within reduced spacings being desired by the pilots is able to be performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to an individualized menu system for use by customers in a retail environment. Multiple mobile computing devices are in communication with a database server from which the mobile computing devices retrieve menu related data items. The menu related data items are then used to present a menu to the customer by way of the mobile computing devices. The mobile computing devices are authenticated by the database server and communicate with the database server using a secure communications protocol. Each menu related data item in the database server is individually editable by an administrative user and edits are not propagated to the mobile computing devices until they are committed as such by the administrative user.