Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.

Abstract: A teleconference support system, establishing a teleconference among conference rooms, includes teleconference apparatuses, and a connection server including a conference venue information storage, a conference start judgment unit, and a teleconference apparatus connection unit. Each teleconference apparatus, disposed in each conference room, is provided with an image taking unit, a sound taking unit, a display unit, and an audio output unit. The connection server connects the teleconference apparatuses to transmit and receive information among the conference rooms. Each teleconference apparatus includes a person identification information acquisition unit to obtain person identification information identifying individual. The conference venue information storage stores conference information including person identification information of expected teleconference participant.

Abstract: An MRI system center is connected to a plurality of MRI systems for visualizing the interior of a subject to be examined using a magnetic resonance phenomenon, through an electronic communication line. The MRI system center receives data of a log file on which a use state of the MRI systems is recorded or use-state data extracted from the log file, from the MRI systems through a communication control unit. A database unit stores the data of the log file or the use-state data. An analysis unit analyzes the data of the log file or the use-state data received within a given period of time.

Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.

Abstract: Various tools, strategies and techniques are provided for evaluating the condition of one or more commodities in one or more regions of interest. Collection of image data associated with the commodities can be facilitated through use of an aircraft traveling a predetermined travel route over the regions of interest. The collected image data may be analyzed to evaluate the condition of the commodities, forecast commodity production, and/or to perform other tasks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering, processing, containing, and transporting water obtained from an ice source, i.e., a glacier, ice sheet, ice cap, etc., are described herein. The ice obtained from the ice source holds unique properties and is processed as a beverage for consumption having unique properties. Further, the resulting product is produced and transported with minimal human alteration and reduced energy input as compared to conventional methods for packaging water.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer-implemented method that includes at least the following steps of: periodically receiving investment transactional data identifying investment transactions of a plurality of investors; automatically determining, based on the investment transactional data, a document to be mailed to each investor of the plurality of investors; automatically generating a delivery data for each mailing to be mailed to each investor of the plurality of investors, where the delivery data includes: bucslip data or trade confirmation data, assembling data, and unique production control bar code data generated based on the assembling data and an investment transaction identifier from the investment transactional data; and printing a unique production control bar code based on the unique production control bar code data, where the unique production control bar code is configured to be used for: assembling each mailing envelope, and tracking such mailing envelope.

Abstract: During a setting stage, a scanner of an apparatus for preparing mail pieces scans a postal item. From the scanned image an area containing a mark is selected and a mark data set representing the mark or the position of the selected area is generated and stored. Instruction data representing a mail preparation instruction are stored in association with the mark data set. During an operating stage after the setting stage, one or more postal items are fed to the scanner, which scans item image data representing an image of the scanned portion of each postal item that is scanned. In response to agreement between the scanned item image data and the mark data set, instruction data associated to the mark data are selected. The mail piece including the scanned postal item is prepared in accordance with the selected instruction data.

Abstract: A method and system for managing driving patterns by charging a variable incentive and/or disincentive based on individual driving behaviors. Distances detected between a vehicle and other vehicles are detected within a time period. N tailgating incidents are identified based on the detected distances being less than a threshold value for distance. A variable toll is determined by evaluating a function of a base amount and N. The driver of the vehicle is charged the variable toll. Charging the variable toll provides an incentive to the driver to encourage driving that does not include tailgating or a disincentive to the driver to deter tailgating.

Abstract: An electric charge fee calculation and collection system for an electric vehicle includes a charge control unit that receives power from a power supply means and charges a battery of the vehicle; a power usage amount and cost calculation unit that measures a power usage amount supplied to the battery from the power supply means and calculates an electricity rate corresponding to the measured power usage amount; and a collection means that collects the electricity rate from a user.

Abstract: A system and method for pricing software service requests is provided. The method includes entering input details corresponding to a clients' software service usage data. The method further includes calculating a cost per ticket for each severity level of the software service request. A margin for each severity level is assigned to each severity level in the order of increasing severity. Thereafter, a price per software service request is calculated for each severity level using the corresponding margin. Additionally, the method includes determining an optimal staffing scheme corresponding to one or more software services.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the process of digitizing and delivering physical mail based upon selective scanning are described and in certain illustrative examples, an intelligent agent computer system is employed for making selective scanning decisions in the process of digitizing and delivering physical mail.

Abstract: A method for using a fuel distribution network. The method including receiving a fuel reservation request (FRR) from a fuel network user interface module (FNUIM), obtaining a physical location of the FNUIM, determining a user associated with the FRR, and obtaining a list of fuel stations using the physical location and information associated with the user. The method further includes sending, to FNUIM, a list of fuel stations, receiving, from the FNUIM, a selection request specifying a fuel station from the list of fuel stations and a fuel reservation amount specifying an amount of fuel, sending a backend service provider (BSP) reservation request to the fuel station, where the BSP reservation request comprises the fuel reservation amount, and sending a confirmation message comprising a reservation expiration time to the FNUIM.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide metering of postage value using accumulated postage information are shown. Embodiments implement an accumulated postage register in a postage security device which is incremented each time a postage indicium is generated and which is reset when a postage value settlement operation is performed. Accumulated postage may be paid for using various accounts, including pre-funded or pre-paid accounts, credit accounts, debit accounts, and billing accounts. Accordingly, embodiments may be used with respect to a post-paid metering model, a pre-paid metering model, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A computer travel system and methods for assessing travel service fees are described. System of the invention communicates, on one end, with a travel agent from a travel front office and, on the other end, with a system administrator who manages a price scheme database containing unitary fees and rules. Travel agent creates and modifies PNRs (passenger name records) from which service fees are assessed by a fee calculator. Fee calculator interfaces with the price scheme database to obtain unitary fees and rules to apply to get PNR service fees. System administrator can modify unitary fees and rules and use a fee simulator over a travel business history of PNRs to estimate what would have been revenue with the modified unitary fees and rule. System and methods of the invention enable an automatic assessment of travel service fees that can be recognized by the customer.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for the computerized generation and printing of a U.S. Postal Service Shipping Label over the Internet that provides postage, shipping address, delivery address, and shipment and delivery tracking indicia. According to the invention, human-readable postage payment indicia is formatted in such a way that the actual price of shipping postage is obscured; postage payment can only be translated from the postage payment indicia by someone who knows the format template. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label comprising a representation of paid postage, said representation of paid postage comprising a human-readable character string, said character string comprising imbedded postage price information. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label, comprising a machine-readable representation of paid postage and a ship to address.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of managing data includes identifying a plurality of conditions pertaining to a price or a maintenance condition and defining at least one condition selection variant, the condition selection variant representing a plurality of conditions. At least a first key field identifying an item to be associated with at least one of the conditions and is linked to at least a second key field identifying a variable corresponding to the condition. The second key field is displayed to enable data entry by a user to specify the variable corresponding to the price or the maintenance condition pertaining to the item identified in the first key field. The price or the maintenance condition of the item identified in the first key field is determined by processing each condition of the plurality of conditions associated with the condition variant.

Abstract: A computer system and method for dynamic pricing is described. The system includes at least one dynamic calculator, which performs calculations based upon conditional rules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering commercial parking reservations through flexible loading zones is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a business district are managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking spaces as a loading zone is reserved. A reservation request from a business is accepted. The business is confirmed as eligible. The request is granted, provided the requested parking space is available over any other reservations. Use of the loading zone is managed. The parking availability indicator is activated contemporaneous to the reservation period. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. An identity of a driver is verified through the nearest smart parking device. The use of the reserved parking space is permitted upon matching the driver's identity to the business.