Abstract: A service that maintains a minimum criteria level for service providers to be listed and available for public access. It can list not only the service provider's credentials and insurance support (with monitored expiration dates), but may also provide a current up-to-date rating system by the users themselves, as to the satisfaction level of the quality and reliability of the work performed. It can also offer a double-check of the credentials by customer verification input. Furthermore, the example service can be easily accessible by the general public (for individual or business use) on the Internet, or by printed text directories sold direct or in bookstores.

Abstract: In a method for tracking postal items, the shipping details of each postal item are stored in a data base that can be interrogated and is updated during shipping. A data record which can be changed and completed is created in each original distribution center and for each postal item that is posted in the center. The data record contains a reference number and data that characterize the postal item and the shipping details. Each posted postal item is provided with an identification key in the original distribution center. The key uniquely characterizes the postal item. The postal items are transported to the destination distribution center, optionally via additional distribution centers. The reference numbers and the original distribution centers are subsequently detected in said succeeding distribution centers and the relevant shipping data including the reference numbers is electronically transmitted to the original distribution centers for completing the data records.

Abstract: A service system stores membership qualification conditions of a plurality of services. The service system selects a service that a user can use from those and displays the selected service. The service system references information of another service of which a user has already become a member and performs a membership qualification of the user on behalf of a server of each service.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person; (b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and (c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles. By this method, an appropriate disposable absorbent incontinence article(s) to be used are recommended depending on the user's situation. The present invention is also directed a method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for determining anticipated profit from facilities such as electrical power generation facilities, for determining values for assets based on profitability of facilities, and for determining optimal operational scheduling options for facilities. Methods and systems are provided which utilize a dynamic programming algorithm and a decision tree based model in which one or more operating constraints are implicitly modeled, facilitating computational tractability. Additionally, methods and systems are provided that utilize a dynamic programming algorithm and a decision tree based model that accounts for a combined effect of price paths with specified uncertainty as well as operational constraints. Furthermore, methods and systems are provided that address profitability, valuation, and scheduling in relation to a group, or portfolio, of facilities, accounting for liquidity factors as well as group, or global, constraints.

Abstract: The present invention includes an automatic commodity or services billing and metering system that when installed does not damage any existing meters or gauges, will fit virtually all known meters and gauges, and has incorporated into the system programmable reading ability to allow reading and accumulation of data by unit, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or any other form of counting required by the customer. The meters are read by various means, one method is by counting and or sensing radiation increases and decreases of radiation emitting from a meter hand or gauge passing a sensor to generate a count. The read data is then sent via the Internet through the telephone line, by satellite, or by cellular phone connection to an offsite central billing and payment processing center where the rate payer and the utility or customer will have various forms of programmable access to its consumption data.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of stores into a plurality of clusters is provided. Store specific information is collected. Optimized combinations for each individual store are provided based on the store specific information. Clusters are created based on the closeness of the optimal combinations.

Abstract: A method that enables a recipient to inform a carrier of the manner in which the recipient would like mail that is transported in trays or tubs delivered. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier e.g., Federal Express®, Airborne®, United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc., of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered. The post and courier hereinafter will be referred to as “carrier”. For instance, the recipient may want the mail physically delivered to their house faster or slower, or the mail physically redirected to the recipient's temporary address, or physically delivered to the recipient's agent, or physically delivered to the recipient's attorney, or physically returned to the mailer, or have the carrier open the physical mail and have the carrier email or fax the contents of the mailpiece to the recipient and/or parties designated by the recipient.

Abstract: A method that enables the recipient to receive notification of the mailpieces, flats and/or packages (mail) that the recipient is going to receive prior to the delivery of the mail. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier i.e., Federal Express®, Airborne®, United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc. of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered. The post and courier will hereinafter be referred to as “carrier”. For instance, the recipient may want the mail physically delivered to their house faster or slower, or the mail physically redirected to the recipient's temporary address, or physically delivered to the recipient's agent, or physically delivered to the recipient's attorney, or physically returned to the mailer, or have the carrier open the physical mail and have the post e-mail or fax the contents of the envelope to the recipient and/or parties designated by the recipient.

Abstract: A manufactured article treatment processing method and system includes reading out from a manufactured article being subjected to treatment information of component parts of the article and specific properties of the component parts, extraction of the component parts to be separated on the basis of predetermined specific properties serving as information for detachment and specific properties of the component parts, and treatment of the component parts to be separated and other components parts through different processes, respectively.

Abstract: A logistics management system is described that includes a host computer that performs logistics management tasks for shipment items, and a user interface module that presents a user interface for the host computer. The user interface module generates a user interface having windows for performing the logistics management tasks. The user interface module generates each of the windows to include an item selection region to receive criteria for selecting one or more of items associated with the freight shipments, one or more activity regions to receive activity data for the activities, and an action input region to receive action input specifying one of the logistics management tasks. The host computing system processes the activity data captured with a single window to complete the specified logistics management task in response to the action input received from a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a customer to purchase or otherwise receive a benefit during a first transaction that will be redeemed by the customer or provided to the customer at a later time or during a future transaction for the purchase, rental, lease, etc. of one or more products and/or services. The price to the customer for the benefit may be a monetary amount, a non-monetary amount, a commitment by the customer to complete or perform some obligation or qualifying action. The value of the benefit to the customer may be based on one or more aspects or characteristics of the first transaction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or for monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving information regarding whether at least two medicine containers were able to communicate during a pre-determined time period, and determining a level to which the party complied to a medicine schedule based on the information. The method further includes rewarding the party based on the party's level of compliance. Systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided for carrying out the above-described embodiments and numerous other embodiments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improvement of computer-related products to solve problems caused by artificially embedded locks, barriers, defects, and the like, that force a consumer to needlessly upgrade hardware or software on a computer. An independent developer may procure access to a product, develop a testing regimen for functionality of the product, and perform evaluations to identify sources of any operational defects found. Accordingly, the developer may then provide a generalized testing regimen to test instances of product provided by a supplier, identify those containing the flaw, and may optionally provide a solution to the flaw, where practicable. The independent developer may obtain intellectual property rights in the testing, solution or both for the product. Thus, by notifying a supplier, an independent developer may become a supplier of testing or solution systems, motivating a supplier by one of several mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for routing an object in a transportation network is provided. The method includes obtaining at a first point a first address and a first functional property code associated with an object to be routed. The method also includes storing at a data base a second functional property code, a second address, and a third address associated with a second point. The method further includes sending the first address and the first functional property code from the first point to the data base and determining at the data base if the first address is compatible with the second address. The method additional includes determining at the data base if the first functional property code is compatible with the second functional property code if the first address is compatible with the associated second address and sending the third address to the first point if the first functional property code is compatible with the second functional property code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving energy imbalance in a real-time manner is disclosed. A plurality of market user interfaces are coupled to an imbalance engine which determines optimal dispatch requirements corresponding to supply and demand requirements of the market participants. The imbalance engine resolves in a real-time manner the dispatch requirements while considering the transmission limitations, ramping limitations, transmission facilities, and price data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for optimizing security constrained unit commitment in the day ahead wholesale electricity market using mixed integer linear programming techniques. The wholesale electricity market uniquely requires the submission of offers to supply energy and ancillary services at stated prices, as well as bids to purchase energy, and known operating and security constraints. The present invention address the above noted needs by providing a SCUC engine to support and implement the requirements via a computer system implementation.

Abstract: A system for providing a service through a non-contact communication unit such as a wireless communication unit is disclosed. Specifically, an electronic ticket is communicated between a so-called mobile terminal and the non-contact communication unit equipped in a ticket examiner. The ticket examiner comprises a stocker for storing magnetized slips, roll paper or plastic slips, and a shaper for cutting the magnetized slip or the roll paper into a proper size. The ticket examiner confirms the validity of the electronic ticket for issuing a ticket.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for optimizing security constrained unit commitment in the day ahead wholesale electricity market using mixed integer linear programming techniques. The wholesale electricity market uniquely requires the submission of offers to supply energy and ancillary services at stated prices, as well as bids to purchase energy, and known operating and security constraints. The present invention address the above noted needs by providing a SCUC engine to support and implement the requirements via a computer system implementation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a process of determining individual skin structure and function at a point in time for the purpose of determining and formulating skin care products that remedy the deficiencies observed in the skin. Objective and repeatable dermal biometric instrumentation techniques can be used to measure skin moisture content, sebum content, firmness and elasticity properties, skin thickness, transepidermal water loss, skin pH and to perform a photo analysis of the face with UV and visible light. By customizing the skin care products, the individually added active ingredients can be controlled, the diluents can be modified, dermal penetration rates can be controlled, the surfactant systems can be adjusted, and the stability of the product can be controlled. To prevent the loss of active materials in the product, the skin care product is manufactured for an individual consumer and is only sold in a quantity of a three months supply.