Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to delivery systems including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). For instance, a UAV may have one or more computing devices. These computing devices may be configured to receive sensor data for a predetermined delivery area and use the sensor data to identify one or more grid cells of a grid corresponding to a map of the predetermined delivery area. The identified grid cells correspond to locations acceptable for delivery by the UAV. The computing devices may also be configured to receive, from a mobile receptacle unit (MRU), information identifying a set of grid cells of the grid identified by the MRU as being acceptable for delivery, determine a delivery location by identifying a common grid cell between the identified one or more grid cells and the set of grid cells, and send the common grid cell to the MRU in order to attempt a delivery.

Abstract: A postage evidencing system for tracking postage amounts for multiple users comprising at least two register set partitions is disclosed. Each of the partitions includes an ascending register holding a number representing a value of postage that can be evidenced by the device, a descending register holding a number representing a value of postage that has been previously evidenced by the device, and an identification representing a source of mail pieces that are evidenced with postage from the partition. A security module limits access to the partitions and registers. The identifier for a selected partition is printed on mail pieces as part of an Information Based Indicia (IBI) to identify the source of the mail pieces.

Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.

Abstract: A computer-based method for obtaining repair estimates for a vehicle, and a related network server, are provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle identification number (VIN) over a network from a customer computer, retrieving vehicle information, associated with the VIN, from a database, sending the vehicle information and a graphical representation of the vehicle, including a plurality of selectable vehicle damage locations, over the network to the customer computer, receiving a selection of at least one vehicle damage location over the network from the customer computer, receiving at least one image of the vehicle over the network from the customer computer, storing the vehicle information, the selected damage location and the vehicle image as a repair job in a non-volatile memory or the database, and sending a notification, indicating that the new repair job is available for review, over the network to at least one repair provider computer.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for tracking of items and containers of items. The method comprises generating a set of unique item identifier codes, each identifier code corresponding to a specific item in a set of items. Then, at a production line, uniquely identifying multiple items by marking the multiple items with the corresponding unique item identifiers. The method further includes detecting the unique item identifiers on the set of items and transmitting the detected unique item identifiers to a processor. After aggregating items into containers, containers are marked with container identifiers. The method then associates the detected container identifier in the database with detected item identifiers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing shipped physical objects. The methods and systems comprise receiving data associated with a journey of the shipped object and determining, using a processor, alert conditions based on the received data. Alert conditions are representative of risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object. In addition, the methods and systems comprise transmitting one or more alternative options for mitigating the alert condition to a user, receiving a selection of one of the alternative options, and modifying the journey based on the received selection.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide processing of payment errors with respect to delivery services in accordance with user preferences. According to embodiments, a delivery service user provides information with respect to how payment errors with respect to delivery services provided to the user are to be handled to facilitate electronic and/or automated processing of such payment errors. A user may authorize payment shortages on the user's behalf, may request notification for an ad hoc determination as to how the shortage is to be handled, or may elect to have postal items returned in the case of payment shortage. Various levels of payment error handling services may be provided with respect to users. Detailed information, such as statistics with respect to users' payment errors, the numbers and types of payment errors, user's preferences in handling payment errors, etcetera, may be provided.

Abstract: The present technology relates to information processing system and method, and information processing device and method for realizing a system capable of increasing efficiency while reducing load concentration. Each of the information processing system and method and the information processing device and method according to an aspect of the present technology belongs to one or more center servers. One or more gate controllers different from each other are allocated. Acquired is user data that relates to data about a user corresponding to identification data, and is supplied on the basis of prediction data corresponding to the identification data. Acquired is the identification data that is read from a storage device storing the identification data, and is supplied from the gate controller allocated to the corresponding system, method or device. The acquired user data that corresponds to the acquired identification data is processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing an amount of resources required for address validation. An address validation program running on a processor unit configures a tax information table in a payroll database to have an authorization column indicating whether an employee having data in a row of the tax information table has authorized release of data in the row; receives a validation request for at least one validated address entered in one or more request fields in a graphical user interface connected to the processor unit; searches only rows having an indication of authorization in the authorization column of the tax information table; and responsive to finding at least one current address in the tax information table, displays the at least one current address in one or more response fields of the graphical user interface as the at least one validated address.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and computer-program products for tracking goods carriers from a particular source. According to some embodiments of the invention, a computer-implemented method includes training an artificial neural network to count the number of goods carriers from a particular source within an image. Further, the method includes receiving a first image file generated by a first imaging device; using the trained artificial neural network to determine a first number of goods carriers from the particular source in the first image; receiving a second image file generated by a second imaging device; using the trained artificial neural network to determine a second number of goods carriers from the particular source in the second image; and determining whether the first number of goods carriers from the particular source in the first image is equal to the second number of goods carriers from the particular source in the second image.

Abstract: A method for trusted recording in a road toll system, the road toll system having a proxy server connected via a mobile network to an onboard-unit of a vehicle, the onboard-unit having a position determination device, comprising: creating an itinerary record comprising a first or second position, a first or second point of time at least one of: a distance calculated using at least the first and second position, a segment-id, and a distance calculated using said segment-id; receiving and recording a signed itinerary record from the proxy server. In a further aspect of the embodiment an onboard-unit and a proxy server are provided for trusted recording in a road toll system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the utilization of cloud computing resources are described. The system monitors cloud computing resource utilization for a first set of active jobs to determine real-time utilization data. The system compares the real-time utilization data with historic utilization data to generate a utilization pattern and determines future cloud computing resource utilization for at least one future time period based on the utilization pattern and a second set of scheduled jobs. The system further generates a pricing matrix for utilizing the cloud computing resources during a future time period based on the determined future cloud computing resource utilization. The pricing matrix includes prices associated with utilization of the cloud computing resources for each of the at least one future time period. The system transmits the pricing matrix to one or more devices requesting utilization of the cloud computing resources.

Abstract: Managing reward program memberships and corresponding rewards for generating personalized search engine results pages is described. A service provider may receive a search query associated with an item and access a plurality of search results associated with the search query. Each search result may correspond to a listing associated with the item. The service provider may access reward program data including data associated with rewards available from a plurality of reward programs and may determine a reward is redeemable for listing corresponding to a search result of the plurality of search results. The service provider may generate a personalized search result based at least partly a determination that a reward is redeemable for the listing and may generate a personalized search engine results page to be presented via a device.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of use of the use of functional objects by a client.

Abstract: A vehicular communication device is provided. The vehicular communication device includes a reception section that receives, from a periphery vehicle equipped with a narrow area communicator for performing vehicle interior communication, a communication performance index representing performance of the narrow area communicator, and a controller. The controller includes: a reference value setup section that successively sets a reference value of the communication performance index based on the communication performance indexes received from multiple the periphery vehicles; an acquisition section that acquires the communication performance index for a targeted narrow area communicator; and an anomaly determination section that determines anomaly of the targeted narrow area communicator, based on comparison between the reference value set by the reference value setup section and the communication performance index acquired by the acquisition section for the targeted narrow area communicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize gravity feed for mail item movement in postage metering operations are shown. Embodiments provide for gravity drop feeding mail items into a portion of a postage metering system for metering operations, such as to activate or apply postage indicia thereto. Embodiments provide for gravity drop exit of mail items from a portion of a postage metering system after metering operations, such as activation or application of postage indicia thereto. Postage metering operations as performed by embodiments of the invention may comprise scanning and activation of preprinted tokens. Postage metering operations according to alternative embodiments of the invention may printing postage indicia. Embodiments provide processing in addition to or in the alternative to the aforementioned postage indicia activation or printing and mail item marking operations, such as weighing, sorting, etc.

Abstract: A package tracking system includes a package room for holding packages intended for delivery to one or more package recipients. One or more optical sensing devices are positioned to capture one or more images of each package brought to the package room and of each person handling that package at the package room. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The processor detects a presence and location of a given package held in the package room based on the one or more images captured by the one or more optical sensing devices and on package identification information relating to the given package. The processor produces a record of transactions involving the given package. The record includes the one or more images of the given package and of each person who handled the given package captured by the one or more optical sensing devices, and when each transaction occurred.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying of parcel delivery comprising an aerial parcel delivery apparatus, landing gear, a processor, a number of visual sensors, and an articulated robotic arm. The robotic arm may comprise an end effector comprising one or more simulated fingers or digits of a human hand, a protruding member, and a wireless communication adapter. The end effector may have the ability to grasp an object or actuate a doorbell, key pay, or an alarm system. The articulated robotic arm including a protruding member is extended to ring a doorbell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for redelivering packages to customers, comprising a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a first user device, a notification of a delivery failure of a package, modify a database to assign the notification of the delivery failure and a cause for the delivery failure to the package identifier, modify the database to assign the package identifier to a group, among a plurality of groups, based on a delivery address associated with the package identifier, generate a map of the plurality of groups, and send the map for display on the user device. The map may comprise an activatable icon, and a location of the activatable icon on the map may be associated with the delivery address associated with the package identifier.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide a method using a computer, and a computer system, for providing image-customizing labels that are adapted for receiving computer-based, generic, value-bearing item indicia such as, for example, computer-based, generic, postage indicia. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will comprise generating a display of a user interface screen that is adapted for receiving an order from a user for at least one image-customized label adapted for bearing a computer-based, generic, value-bearing item.