Abstract: A particular method of distributing content includes receiving data related to content to be distributed. The method also includes automatically estimating a financial return associated with an audio version of the content based at least partially on a particular text-to-speech conversion process used to generate the audio version. The method further includes selecting one of a plurality of available text-to-speech conversion processes based on the estimated financial return.

Abstract: A traveler can subscribe to a pick-up service (consolidator) that will pick-up purchases made at any number of different locations while the traveler is visiting a location, or series of locations. The consolidator then bundles all of the purchases from the various locations into appropriate sized packages for delivery to the traveler's desired location. The consolidator gathers the various purchases over a period of time and coordinates ultimate delivery to the traveler according to a pre-arranged itinerary of the traveler.

Abstract: An envelope for conveying an item from a sender to a recipient and back with a window and unique identifying indicia. The envelope comprises a base panel with a window, a sender address panel, and a recipient address panel. The sender address panel is affixed to the base panel by an adhesive region, which defines a pocket sized to accept an item. The adhesive region extends laterally on the base panel to ensure that a postal cancellation is not applied to an area overlying the item. The recipient address panel is joined to the base panel by a detachable joint. A fragile item may be conveyed from the sender to the recipient and back without damage to the item. The base panel includes indicia that uniquely identify the envelope among a plurality of envelopes. Reading the indicia assists in resolving inventory problems, for example, when unknown items are returned.

Abstract: A broker facilitates customer purchases from merchants. Shippers ship shipments containing the purchases from merchants to the customers. A shipper identifies a shipment using a shipment identifier. The broker uses the shipment identifier to obtain the status information for the shipment from the shipper. The broker analyzes the status information in combination with other information to calculate an estimate of the time that the shipment will arrive at the customer's address. The broker sends an electronic message, such as an email or text message, to the customer prior to the estimated shipment arrival time to inform the customer of the impending arrival. The customer can thus arrange for someone to be at the shipping address to receive the shipment at the estimated arrival time.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media associated with using historic analytic data to identify shipping options for a user to use when shipping a package. Historic analytic data may be received and maintained by a package shipment facilitation system. The analytics may then be used to generate business rules which may be applied to parameters for a package that is to be shipped. Through application of the business rules, one or more preferred shipping options may be identified. Business rules may be received after being manually-generated by a user, or may be automatically generated based at least in part on the maintained historic analytics. After a shipping option is chosen for the package, a shipping label may be printed for the package, and the package may be entered into a carrier's system for processing.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for tracking one or more shipped items that are shipped via a carrier. A set of expected occurrences are established for each item shipped. The items are then shipped and the shipment of the one or more shipped items is monitored for an occurrence of the set of expected occurrences, the occurrence of any non-expected event, and a non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences. If there is the occurrence of any non-expected event or the non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences, then such an event is made available to at least the shipper.

Abstract: A system that allows the remote measurement of the size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of a building and then uses the information to provide an estimate to repair or replace the roof, or to install equipment thereon. The system includes an aerial image file database that shows aerial images of buildings in a designated area according to address. The slope and orientation images are typically oblique perspective views and top plan views of the buildings in the area. The system also includes an image analysis and calibration feature that enables the viewer to closely estimate the size, geometry and orientation of the building's roof sections. The information can then be used to prepare a cost estimate for the repair or replacement of the roof or installation of roof equipment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system and method for locating aircraft passengers. A data feed arrangement receives aircraft data points from at least one first data source and passenger information from a second data source. A data processing arrangement stores each aircraft data point in a flight record and generates a flight track for the aircraft using data stored in the flight record. The data processing arrangement also receives passenger information and matches passenger information with corresponding flight records. A data distribution arrangement organizes the flight track and passenger information into a displayable file, wherein the displayable file includes a mechanism to search for specific passenger information.

Abstract: System, method and program product for estimating a cost of reconciling heterogeneous data sources. A transition cost for integrating together a first program to identify semantic conflicts, a second program to classify semantic conflicts and a third program to reconcile semantic conflicts is estimated. A steady state cost for managing and maintaining the integrated first, second and third programs is estimated. Another system, method and program product for estimating a cost of integrating heterogeneous data sources. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a first program which identifies semantic conflicts between a cross data source query and schema elements in a data source is estimated. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a second program which classifies semantic conflicts between the cross data source query and schema elements in the data source is estimated.

Abstract: Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include entering the information into a central database, updating a content of a web-based application with the information within the central database, and allowing the customer to access the information via the web-based application. The information may include sales information, shipping information, tracing information, packout information, inventory information, and/or inspection information corresponding to the order of the commodity. Systems for allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include a server configured to store the information in a central database, one or more terminals having one or more applications configured to enter the information into the central database, and a web-based application configured to allow the customer to access the information within the central database.

Abstract: A method and system for making roundtrip air flight reservations includes an end-user receiving a response having departure dates with a lowest cost outbound fare for each date and return dates with a lowest cost inbound fare for each date, outbound flight and inbound flight segments each priced with One Way Combinable fares, the One Way Combinable fares can be priced independently of all other One Way Combinable fares (i.e. restriction on covered segment, fare amount can be doubled to price the Round Trip) and can be combined together with any other One Way Combinable fare (i.e. no combinability restriction) in order to form a guaranteed pricing solution regarding IATA regulation both in domestic and international contexts for complex segments (i.e. based on non-direct flights).

Abstract: A voice response system for use in obtaining return qualification information for a product using a non-unique product identifier, including: a dial-in voice system operable to prompt a caller for the non-unique product identifier, wherein the non-unique product identifies the product as a member of a defined product group; a product registration database including a plurality of different, non-unique product identifiers; a return policy storage that defines return policies for each of the non-unique product identifiers; and an arrangement that looks up a specific return policy for the non-unique product identified entered by the caller and provides information to the caller regarding return qualification for the product identified by the non-unique product identifier.

Abstract: A computer travel reservation system includes at least one data processor connected with at least one memory that stores software executable by the at least one data processor. Also included is a fare family database connected with the at least one data processor that stores data defining a plurality of fare families each including a plurality of fare classes. The fare family database also stores data defining determination rules used to determine an association of at least one fare family for each fare class, each fare class being defined according to at least commercial parameters. The system further includes a fare fixing engine implemented by the at least one data processor and software. The fare fixing engine is configured to apply the determination rules to a travel product to determine a fare family associated with the travel product.

Abstract: A method for associating a calendar invitation for a calendar event to a web conference for a web conference event is provided. Invitees of a calendar invitation for a calendar event are received and are detected. The invitees of the calendar event are associated to a web conference event. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are detected. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are propagated to the web conference event, and the web conference event synchronizes with the calendar event. Modifications relating to the web conference event for the web conference are detected. Modifications relating to the web conference event are propagated to the calendar event, and the calendar event synchronizes with the web conference event. The invitees of the calendar invitation include first, second, and/or third tiers, and the tiers relate to user roles and privileges, such as a hidden or anonymous presence.

Abstract: A process for determining the number of available transport seats in a computerized reservation system, which includes elements for storing data on services that provide transportation between two locations and their current reservation status, broken down by class of service, a process in which, at a predefined level of expected revenue, a number of seats available locally for a given class of service of a transport service is determined. The following process are carried out: selection of at least one other class of service of a transport service; determination of the number of seats available locally for the class of service of the transport service, at the predefined level of expected revenue; determination of an overall number of seats available for the class of service of the transport service at the predefined level of expected revenue as a function of the different numbers of seats available locally.

Abstract: A multi-tier cross-department scheduling model for order processing operations. A scheduling model for planning assignment of discrete jobs to multiple departments for shipment, wherein selected jobs are assignable to respective selected departments and the departments share finite capacity resources, includes a programmable computer system having loaded therein an objective function, and the computer system being operable to minimize a value of the objective function; and wherein the objective function comprises a sum of cost to ship containers in at least one of consolidated and unconsolidated forms, cost for each of a container equivalent not completed in a selected scheduling horizon, cost to process each job in each department, and cost for setup due to at least one of shift crossing and job splitting.

Abstract: A system for dynamically pricing media content is operatively coupled to one or more clients over a network. The system dynamically adjusts pricing of the media content and delivers the media content to the clients that order the media content at a dynamically adjusted price. The price can be dynamically adjusted based on profit optimization. Alternatively or additionally, the price can be adjusted based to time between purchases. Further, the system is capable of rewarding institutions for allowing their members to access the system.

Abstract: A dynamic pricing system for pricing items for sale by a seller which items are available in a limited quantity comprises a pricing server and various types of data stored in memory. The pricing server includes memory, a processor and a clock. One type of data stored in memory is indicative of the initial quantity of an item available in a limited quantity. Another type of data stored in memory is indicative of the current remaining quantity of the item available in a limited quantity. Yet another type of data stored in memory is indicative of an expiration time at which it is desired that all of the item available in a limited quantity be sold. The processor is configured to price the item available in a limited quantity so as to deplete the inventory of the item available in a limited quantity by the expiration date based in part by accessing the memory to retrieve the data indicative of the initial quantity, the current remaining quantity and the expiration time and accessing the clock.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is described that is constructed to establish a database of market information, relating to a target product and its competitors in the market. The database is processed to allow the user to establish a price for the target process based on customer perceived value and to display the processed information in several useful charts and tables for product value comparison, appraisal, and pricing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of insuring payment of a proper amount of postage, comprise receiving payment for an amount of postage, affixing a postage indicia to a piece of mail, wherein the postage indicia includes the postage amount in a format readable only by machine, and adjusting the postage amount at a time subsequent to receipt of payment.