Abstract: Electronic transaction data and/or electronic payment data therefor is routed to disparate payment networks for a multitude of transactions. A software-programmed computer type circuit receives and processes point-of-sale transaction data to select two disparate payment networks for processing electronic payment for the transaction data. Transaction and/or payment data is routed to each of the disparate payment networks, to respectively debit and credit payment accounts, to provide payment to a seller on behalf of a buyer involved in the transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods of constructing and managing virtual planograms are presented. Contemplated systems allow for construction of a virtual planogram, which can be used to present consumers virtual inventory items as being available for purchase via a display device. The display device can include an electronic billboard within an establishment, a mall for example, or include a user's smart device, a cell phone or tablet for example.

Abstract: A method of collecting data from multiple sources in a multi-tenant system is provided. The method includes obtaining data corresponding to a first tenant in the multi-tenant system and a second tenant in the multi-tenant system from a first source, obtaining data corresponding to the first tenant in the multi-tenant system and the second tenant in the multi-tenant system from a second source, and aggregating the data obtained from the first and second sources into a single database and associating each entry of the obtained data with at least one of the tenants of the multi-tenant system.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for separating the purchase of digital assets from their fulfillment. Information associated with the purchase of a system and digital assets to be processed by the system is received, including the system's unique system identifier. The unique system identifier is associated with the digital assets to generate digital assets entitlement data. A personalization agent installed on the system determines the system's unique system identifier and automatically downloads the purchased digital assets and their associated digital assets entitlement data. Once downloaded, the personalization agent uses the digital assets entitlement data to install the purchased digital assets on the system, thereby entitling the system to process the installed digital assets.

Abstract: An automated system and method for the online settling of a transaction is provided. The system comprises a server comprising a rules based engine including rules established on behalf of a party to the transaction and genetic programming logic configured to employ the rules and determine a plurality of transaction settlement offer sets, each transaction settlement offer set based on a set of circumstances and comprising multiple simultaneously presentable and individually selectable offers, each offer configured to provide an appearance of settling the transaction. The genetic programming logic creates a description of a current transaction settlement offer set, analyzes behavior and characteristics of the current transaction settlement offer set, establishes a fitness of the current transaction settlement offer set, and modifies the current transaction settlement offer set to produce a new transaction settlement offer set. The new transaction settlement offer set is provided to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to activate telecommunications services. For example, a method may include configuring configuration data for a user account, the configuration data specifying a subset of telecommunications services for one or more user accounts, presenting in an interface an identifier for accessing the subset of telecommunications services, receiving data representing a request to activate the subset of telecommunications services associated with the identifier, the data representing the request including a user identification number, and activating the user account to include the subset of the telecommunications services, wherein configuring the configuration data occurs prior to presenting the identifier.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for separating the installation of an operating system from the fulfillment, installation, and entitlement of other digital assets. Information associated with the purchase of a system and digital assets to be processed by the system is received, including the system's unique system identifier. The unique system identifier is associated with the digital assets to generate digital assets entitlement data. A personalization agent installed on the system determines the system's unique system identifier and automatically downloads the purchased digital assets, which comprises an operating system (OS), and their associated digital assets entitlement data. Once downloaded, the personalization agent uses the digital assets entitlement data to first install the OS according to any restrictions imposed by the OS manufacturer, and then the remaining digital assets, on the system, which is then entitled to process the installed digital assets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for shelf life expiration date management for smart refrigerators. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for shelf life expiration date management for smart refrigerators is provided. The method includes identifying a consumer during a point of sale transaction for purchasing different food items by a point of sale computer system, for example by scanning a bar code or reading a magnetic strip of a loyalty program card or reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) dongle. A list of the different food items can be provided to the smart refrigerator, for example from storage in the loyalty program card or RFID dongle, or as transmitted from the point of sale computer system to the smart refrigerator over a computer communications network. Finally, expiration dates can be determined for the food items in the list and stored in the smart refrigerator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a selected communication session of a transaction associated with a prepaid end user, such that the transaction comprises a plurality of communication sessions. The method includes associating the selected communication session with the transaction and extracting data from the selected communication session associated with the transaction. The method includes generating a single advice of charge request for the transaction before the selected communication session is completed, the single advice of charge request comprising the extracted data from the selected communication session associated with the transaction.

Abstract: A method for distributing and reliably redeeming electronic cash value vouchers that uses existing POS terminals. The vouchers may be distributed via mobile telephones. The voucher comprises an alphanumeric code which is entered into the standards compliant POS terminal. The system checks that the voucher is valid and provides a redemption value to the POS which can be credited by the retailer. The transaction can then be completed by the retailer using known methods.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking non-discrete goods. The method includes inserting a first identification device into a non-discrete good, detecting the first identification device within the non-discrete good, and determining a characteristic of the non-discrete good from the first identification device. The system includes a plurality of identification devices having characteristics similar to a non-discrete good, and a set of sensors to detect the plurality of identification devices and determine a characteristic of the non-discrete good based on the identification devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a plurality of communication sessions of a transaction associated with a postpaid end user. The method includes associating the plurality of communication sessions with the transaction and extracting data from the plurality of communication sessions associated with the transaction. The method includes generating a single billing record after the transaction is completed, the single billing record comprising the extracted data from the plurality of communication sessions associated with the transaction.

Abstract: A single object system, method, and computer program product are provided for storing information associated with user interactions with a good or service. In use, a plurality of user interactions with one of a good and a service are received via a graphical user interface. Furthermore, information associated with the user interactions is stored in a single object.

Abstract: A client-server based project schedule management system comprises multiple editors accessible through a web browser to perform various scheduling tasks by members of a project. Client-executable code is generated by the server for the client, which is passed to the client along with schedule-related information for populating the respective editors. The client executes the server-generated code to display the respective editor with pertinent information populated therein, and to manage and maintain any new or updated information in response to user interactions with the editor. Rows of tasks are represented by corresponding objects, where editor elements are object attributes which are directly accessible by the respective objects. Database queries are generated by the server based on constant strings containing placeholders which are replaced with information used by the query.

Abstract: Electronic transaction data sets are processed for a multitude of disparate transactions using a plurality of autonomous payment networks. A software-programmed computer type system receives and processes point-of-sale transaction data to select one of the payment networks associated with a participant ID (e.g., for a buyer or seller) in the transaction data. The system includes a plurality of network-specific interface modules, each associated with a specific payment network for interfacing therewith. For point-of-sale transaction data, the interface module corresponding to the selected payment network communicates payment data to the selected payment network to effect electronic payment for the point-of-sale transaction data.

Abstract: A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user.

Abstract: A Software As A System (SAAS)-based system is disclosed herein for sending bills and payments in conjunction with a third-party accounting system. The system deploys a downloadable program interface to configure the third-party accounting system and then send and receive data between the two systems. The transmitted bills may contain an electronic signature, a line item billing, and/or other transaction-specific meta data, and, based on cash flow needs and outstanding bills, some or all customers may be offered a very substantial time-limited discount for immediate payment. Also, customers may use the line-item billing feature to withhold partial payments for specific issues attributed to specific items. Alternatively, a communication module between SAAS units (CSU) may be deployed to configure the third-party accounting system and then send and receive data between the two systems.

Abstract: Electronic transaction data sets are processed for a multitude of disparate transactions using a plurality of autonomous payment networks. Consistent with one example system, a software-programmed computer type system receives and processes point-of-sale transaction data to select one of the payment networks associated with a participant ID (e.g., for a buyer or seller) in the transaction data. The system includes a plurality of network-specific interface modules, each associated with a specific payment network for interfacing therewith. For point-of-sale transaction data, the interface module corresponding to the selected payment network communicates payment data to the selected payment network to effect electronic payment for the point-of-sale transaction data.

Abstract: A moving light tester includes plural sensors, each of which can test a function of the moving light. A conveyor can move the light between the sensors. Once tested, information about the test is used to characterize the light, to determine if it needs repair, or can be re rented. The information can also be used to create inventory lists, and bills for damage. The testing can include automated testing for gobos, colors, noise, heating and movement, or other tests.