Abstract: When a process of returning a vehicle is performed, a fee setting device identifies a zone where the vehicle is returned, and calculates the identified zone's zone SOC. The fee setting device determines whether a discount for leveling is applicable. The fee setting device compares a zone SOC of a zone where a user rented a vehicle and a zone SOC of a zone where the user returned the vehicle. When the zone SOC of the zone where the user rented the vehicle is larger than the zone SOC of the zone where the user returned the vehicle, the discount for leveling is applied.

Abstract: A golf communications system utilizes an interactive voice response system to facilitate user-selected omnichannel communications options among a community of golfers. The communications options include booking tee times, allocation of payments among a group of golfers, virtual pro shop communications, and e-commerce subscriptions. The various channels may include email, text, VoIP communications, Internet chatrooms, and/or Internet messaging services. The system fully automates reception of input from one or more golfers for purposes of booking tee times, distributing communications among a plurality of golfers, and making transactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for paying a wireless charging fee for an electric vehicle while being driven may include: an electric power receiver configured to perform wireless charging of an electric vehicle; a toll fee payment processor configured to perform a fee collection processing with respect to the electric vehicle in response to a toll fee payment request from a gantry; and a controller configured to generate information on an accumulated charging amount of the electric vehicle before the electric vehicle passes through the gantry in response to the toll fee payment request from the gantry and transmit the information on the accumulated charging amount to the toll fee payment processor.

Abstract: A method for franking mail items fed to a franking machine. The mail items are drawn from the underside of a stack for separation or are fed individually on a conveying section upstream of the franking machine to a printing unit for franking, after franking, are discharged in the opposite direction from the printing unit. The mail items are fed via a diverter section to the conveying section, after franking, are conveyed via the diverter section which is switched over to change the conveying direction into a depositing apparatus below the diverter section. The mail items are guided in the opening region of the franking machine into the printing position and are returned out of the printing position. The printing position of a mail item fed to the printing unit is determined by a print head movement-controlled from a readiness position pursuant to the format length of the mail item.

Abstract: A misconnect management system models the movement of passengers, bags, and crew through flights and airports. In various embodiments, a misconnect management system identifies potential misconnected passengers and provides recommendations and input configured to support decision makers, such as ramp controllers and operations controller, in evaluating hold/no hold decisions for a flight. Via use of the misconnect management system and associated methods, misconnected passenger numbers may be reduced, expenses associated with missed connections may be reduced, and organizational efficiency may be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are a package placement method and apparatus, the method comprising: obtaining an obstacle distribution of placement areas adjacent to a target placement area, each placement area being correspondingly provided with a package storage apparatus; according to the obstacle distribution, determining a movement direction for a conveying platform to enter the target placement area, the conveying platform being used for placing a package in the package storage apparatus; according to the movement direction for the conveying platform, determining a package placement means; according to the determined package placement means, placing the package in the package storage apparatus corresponding to the target placement area. The package placement means is determined according to the obstacle distribution, and the conveying platform is controlled to move and place the package, thereby saving placement time, eliminating conveying platform stopping and restarting time, and increasing placement efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically adjusting payout to deliverers, comprising receiving a plurality of delivery orders, wherein each of the plurality of delivery orders is associated with a delivery address in a geographic region, and wherein the geographic region is associated with a plurality of configurations; determining a base fee for fulfilling the plurality of delivery orders in the geographic region based on the plurality of configurations associated with the geographic region; adjusting, using a pricing algorithm, the base fee for fulfilling the plurality of delivery orders based on the determined configurations; receiving one or more features associated with the plurality of delivery orders; and adjusting the adjusted base fee based on the received one or more features, wherein the pricing algorithm used to calculate the base fee is selected among a plurality of pricing algorithms based on the geographic region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a package within an area obtain package identification information from a scannable medium associated with the package and image information of the area acquired by an optical sensing device. Image processing detects the presence and location of an object in the area that matches the package based on a comparison of the package identification information obtained from the scannable medium with the image information of the area acquired by the optical sensing device. The package is registered as being present in the area at the location of the detected object in response to detecting a match between the object and the package.

Abstract: A management server performs a process including: when an electric vehicle is returned, obtaining a usage history of the vehicle; calculating a ratio of a non-traveling period of time of the vehicle; setting a discount rate based on the ratio of the non-traveling period of time; setting a discount rate based on how many times the vehicle is rapidly accelerated; setting a discount rate based on how many times the vehicle is rapidly decelerated; setting a discount rate based on environmental temperature; setting a discount rate based on a parking environment; setting a discount rate based on an SOC history; and setting a rental fee.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parking lot metering. The present invention allows multi-space meters to separately manage and control premium parking spaces, such as those for charging electric vehicles or those which supply electric power for engine block heaters in both pay-by-space and pay-and-display systems. Such premium spaces can be managed together over large areas (e.g., a city or region), or may be managed over smaller areas (e.g., the domain of an individual kiosk), or individually per parking space. Management includes pricing, time limits, hours, seasons of operation, and restrictions by vehicle type, and alternative pricing and restrictions for non-premium hours.

Abstract: An information processing device relates to a delivery service in which a vehicle cabin including a trunk of a vehicle used by a user is designated as a delivery destination of a package. The information processing device includes a processing device configured to remind the user to receive the package from the vehicle cabin of the vehicle designated by the user as the delivery destination of the package, in a case where the package is not received from the vehicle cabin of the vehicle after a predetermined time has elapsed since the package was delivered to the vehicle cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes, responsive to receiving a shortcode from a client computing device, identifying, by a processing device based on the shortcode, computer-executable instructions and one or more geographical locations. The method further includes causing, based on the computer-executable instructions and the one or more geographical locations, the client computing device to generate an order request form filled with the one or more geographical locations received from the processing device based on the shortcode without user intervention and without user input of the one or more geographical locations. The method includes, responsive to receiving the order request form filled with the one or more geographical locations from the client computing device, transmitting, to a vehicle computing device, an order request to dispatch a transportation vehicle associated with the vehicle computing device to provide a transportation service to a user of the client computing device based on the order request form.

Abstract: Techniques for energy management including enrollment using verification technology. In some implementations, a computing device receives applicant data to execute an enrollment application for an applicant applying for a particular energy management program. The computing device receives grid operator data from a grid operator to verify against the applicant data. The computing device determines whether the applicant data verifies to the grid operator data. The computing device generates an enrollment recommendation that corresponds to the applicant for the particular energy management program in response to determining whether the applicant data verifies to the grid operator data. The computing device provides the enrollment recommendation to a grid operator for review of whether to accept or reject the applicant to the particular energy management program.

Abstract: A package tracking system comprises a package room for holding packages intended for delivery to one or more package recipients, an optical sensing device positioned to capture one or more images of each package brought to the package room, one or more light sources, and a computing system including a processor, memory, and executable code stored on the memory. The processor executes the executable code to detect a presence and location of a given package held in the package room based on the one or more images captured by the optical sensing device and on package identification information relating to the given package. The processor further executes the executable code to cause the one or more light sources to shine on or near the given package in the package room to provide light-based guidance specific to the given package.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method includes integrating, via a processor of a first computing device, a secure delivery option in relation to a checkout interface of a point of sale (POS) system. In some cases, the method includes receiving, via the processor, an input to enable the secure delivery option in relation to an order being placed via the checkout interface, generating, via the processor, an access code for the order based at least in part on enabling the secure delivery option, and enabling, via the processor, access to a premises via the access code generated for the order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating the transportation of shipping containers through a terminal are provided. The systems and methods provide for efficient storage of shipping containers in flow stacks in a terminal, enable collaboration among users, and provide efficiencies in executing export street turns and the use of off dock container yards.

Abstract: A data processing system receives location data points from computing devices. The system annotates the location data points with entities and determines a duration each of the computing devices was at corresponding entities. The system aggregates the location data points into a set of sequences based on the duration and the entities and stores the set of sequences in a data record. The system accesses the database record including a set of sequences generated from location data points received from computing devices. The system receives, from a computing device, a request for a location sequence that includes a query. The system identifies an attribute of the computing device. The system identifies a sequence based on the set of sequences using the query and the attribute. The system transmits the sequence for display on a display device.

Abstract: A drone delivery system for receiving a package on a roof of a structure includes a panel coupled to the roof that selectively provides access to an opening in the roof upon identification and authorization of an incoming package. Once the package is identified and authorized, the panel opens and the package is received from an aerial vehicle on a platform in the opening. The platform is lowered by a drive assembly and the panel is closed over the opening. The drive assembly then lowers the platform and package to an intended destination inside the structure.

Abstract: A vehicle dispatch device includes a position determination unit determining whether or not a destination and a delivery place match each other, a calculation unit calculates a delivery service fee to the delivery place, and a distance determination unit determining whether or not a boarding distance from a boarding position to the destination is equal to or longer than a reference boarding distance, wherein when the destination and the delivery place do not match each other and the boarding distance is not equal to or longer than the reference boarding distance, the calculation unit calculates a first delivery service fee, and when the destination and the delivery place do not match each other and the boarding distance is equal to or longer than the reference boarding distance, the calculation unit calculates a second delivery service fee, which is lower than the first delivery service fee.

Abstract: A golf communications system utilizes an interactive voice response system to facilitate user-selected omnichannel communications options among a community of golfers. The communications options include booking tee times, allocation of payments among a group of golfers, virtual pro shop communications, and ecommerce subscriptions. The various channels may include email, text, VoIP communications, Internet chatrooms, and/or Internet messaging services. The system fully automates reception of input from one or more golfers for purposes of booking tee-times, distributing communications among a plurality of golfers, and making transactions.