Abstract: Presence information within a meeting room is detected and published to users for managing room availability and real time status. Various means such as motion detectors, card readers, log-in mechanisms associated with in-room computers, and the like, are used to detect presence information. Different status indicators are assigned to each room and published through a communication application or hosted service providing useful and real time information to users.

Abstract: A system for tuition reimbursement includes an administrative command module. An administrator can use the command module to implement a plurality of features on the system. After system set up by the administrator, a user interface displays an electronic application form for requesting reimbursement for tuition expenses. A completed electronic application form is transmitted to a manager for approval to take the course and a human resources administrator. Data relating to a completion of an education course is received, and then this data is transmitted to the manager of an employee and the human resources administrator. Input is then received relating to an approval or a denial of payment for the reimbursement for tuition expenses.

Abstract: Apparatus for personalization and registration of vehicle devices of different types in a road toll system, comprising: for each type of vehicle device, a respective personalization module that is configured to write personalization data into a vehicle device of this type and generate the associated registration data, which contains the personalization data, an interface module common to all personalization modules that is configured to receive their registration data and, following a release request, send it to a registration database of the road toll system, and a testing unit that reads out the personalization data of a personalized but not yet registered vehicle device, checks the registration data generated by the responsible personalization module for agreement of the personalization data contained therein with the read-out personalization data, and if it agrees, sends a release request with respect to this registration data to the interface module.

Abstract: A method, AND apparatus are described to accurately measure the delivery performance of a postal service using without external agents in the measurement process. The invention describes a system that measures the postal logistic automatically, and continuously. The basis for measurement are tag mail pieces that circulate continuously through the postal system.

Abstract: A packaging method includes the step of comparing a total package weight to a freight rate schedule and thereby determining a normal freight rate. The total package weight includes the weight of a container (22), an article (24) to be shipped and a normal amount of dunnage. If predetermined criteria are met, the method also includes the step of reducing the amount of dunnage dispensed below that of the normal amount of dunnage such that the total package weight falls within a freight rate that is less than the normal freight rate. The predetermined criteria include one or more of a predetermined percentage above a change in freight rate, a predetermined weight above a threshold weight for an increase in freight weight, and dunnage requirements including void-volume, degree of fill for the void-volume, type of article, weight of article and type of dunnage.

Abstract: A method of performing non-secure franking by means of a communications terminal comprising means for communicating with a franking service provider's server, a non-secure memory for recording identification numbers and associated postage amounts received in the franking service provider's server. The communications terminal can further comprise print command means for instructing a standard printer to print one of the identification numbers corresponding to the desired postage amount and extracted from the non-secure memory on a mail item to be sent.

Abstract: A method includes accessing project information that includes values for one or more parameters of a project. The method further includes determining from the project information a project duration for the project, a time value of money for the project, a variability for the project, and an expected project price. A price premium for the project is generated according to the project duration, the time value of money, the variability value, and the expected project price, using an option-pricing mathematical model for financial instruments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing products. An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, a method includes but is not limited to identifying a weak attribute of a component in the product; and generating a recommendation related to the weak attribute of the component. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the description, claims, and drawings that form the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method and structure for pricing a good or service to a customer includes a calculator that executes a pricing model that includes a dimension of a utility of the good or service to the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods, specifically computer implemented systems and methods for determining cost-plus pricing for pharmaceuticals. Specifically, systems and methods which can provide for transparent pricing which helps to provide a reasonable profit for a pharmacy while also generally providing competitive or reduced cost prescriptions to individual patients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing marketing strategies. Various embodiments implement methods which can include generating a plurality of candidate solutions which satisfy pricing rationality constraints. The candidate solutions can be generated when processing resources are available for performing a Monte Carlo algorithm. The candidate solutions can be stored and a master and trade off metric can be selected. Values for these selected metrics can be evaluated (at the candidate solutions) and then input into the approximate efficient frontier algorithm. The algorithm can output an approximate efficient frontier. Users can select any of the efficient solutions on the frontier to obtain associated pricing recommendations by mousing over the efficient frontier. Various metrics associated with the efficient frontier may be updated at about the same time as the master and trade off metrics are selected.

Abstract: A method for collecting tolls for location usages of an on-board unit, which has a unit identifier in a road toll system and a mobile telecommunications identifier in a mobile telecommunications network.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for displaying toll charging parameters of vehicles by means of a roadside display. In one embodiment, parameters are sent from an onboard-unit of the vehicle to the roadside display. In an alternative embodiment, parameters are registered under a vehicle identification in a database and retrieved therefrom for displaying on the roadside display by a detection of the identification of the vehicle.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a first repair request for a first computer hardware component and receiving a second repair request for a second computer hardware component. The method can further include selecting first numerical tokens to describe the first repair request and selecting second numerical tokens to describe the second repair request, wherein each of the first and second tokens are associated with a different level of a hierarchy of tokens. The method can additionally include, for each level of the hierarchy of tokens, selecting each unique individual token associated with the level of the hierarchy of tokens from the first tokens and from the second tokens. The method can further include determining an aggregate cost of the first request and the second request from the selected unique individual tokens.

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: A computer-implemented system and method are described in which an appropriate pricing structure for a new stationery design is identified by automatically comparing attributes of the stationery design with attributes of existing stationery designs which have assigned pricing structures. In one embodiment, the attributes are prioritized such that certain attributes are weighted more than other attributes when determining an appropriate price structure. For example, in this embodiment, a search is initially performed for a price structure of an existing stationery product which shares all of the same attributes as the new stationery product. If a match is not found, then the least significant attribute is removed from the set of search criteria and another search is performed. This process continues until an existing pricing structure of a stationery product which shares the most significant attributes of the new stationery product is identified.

Abstract: A customer whose conditional purchase offer (CPO) has been accepted may receive a bounce back offer from a vendor (supplier-partner) of other services or products. The bounce back process determines whether a supplier-partner can participate in a bounce back transaction. If a bounce back transaction is effectuated between the customer and supplier-partner, the partner notifies the principal of the transaction. In the case of automobile rentals, the bounce back process permits a traveler to recognize reduced automobile rental rates while enabling a rental agency to more effectively manage its excess capacity. The CPO management system employing bounce back capability can be utilized to acquire any underlying product and/or service and bounce back product and/or service.

Abstract: A commodity inspection method, including gathering inspection information from a commodity lot; collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot; recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot; assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders; entering the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes into a central database; updating a content of a web-based application with the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes within the central database; and allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application. According to one embodiment, each of the purchase orders associated with the commodity lot is linked within the web-based application and incorporates Global Standards One (GS1) standards.

Abstract: A power and risk score calibrator is provided, which receives quantitative power and risk scores for each quantitative segment, and receives qualitative power and risk scores for each qualitative segment. The qualitative segment and the qualitative power and risk scores are defined by a user. The system generates consolidated segments. Then consolidated power and risk scores for each of the consolidated segments are generated, respectively. The gaps between the qualitative power and risk scores and the consolidated power and risk scores are reconciled. From these reconciliations, adjustment factors are generated, which are applied by pricing power and risk value calibrators. The system may also perform a drill down to explain the gap between the qualitative scores and the consolidated scores.

Abstract: A configuration and quotation processing method and system, a configuration and quotation device, and a configuration conversion device are provided. The method includes: acquiring a sales bill of material (SBOM) configuration rule of a product; calculating a configuration bill of material (BOM) of the product according to the SBOM configuration rule, a product price, and received quotation configuration parameters; filtering the configuration BOM according to a preset output content and structure rule to generate an SBOM of the product; and converting the SBOM into a base bill of material (BBOM) according to an SBOM to BBOM (S2B) conversion rule. As such, a client-oriented SBOM can be automatically generated, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the SBOM, and improving the work efficiency.