Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: Persistent, electronically anchored currency notes (PEAC notes) may be generated by a transaction provider and maintained in a datastore. Each PEAC note may be associated with a respective unique identifier and an asset held by a custodian. The transaction provider may provide for assigning ownership of the PEAC notes to various entities and/or transferring ownership therebetween. Ownership transfers may be performed by the transaction provider while maintaining the PEAC notes in the datastore and/or maintaining the asset(s) associated therewith with their respective custodian(s). The transfer of a PEAC note may be tied to one or more transfer conditions. A PEAC note may be provisionally transferred from a first entity to a second entity subject to one or more transfer conditions. When the transfer conditions are met, the PEAC note may be permanently transferred to the second entity.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods of facilitating contract procurement and contract management through an online contract procurement and management website. An example of a computer implemented method includes assigning a personalized contracting entity member user web page to each of a plurality of contracting entity member users associated with a contracting entity, and assigning a personalized contractor member user home web page to each of a plurality of contractor member users associated with a plurality of potential contractors. The personalized contracting entity member user web pages can provide centralized access to perform contract procurement functions for each of the virtual contract rooms associated with the respective contracting entity member users. The personalized contractor member user web pages can provide consolidated contract room access and consolidated contract room task and communication review for each of the virtual contract rooms associated with the respective contractor member users.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for managing contributions to an accruable health spending account in an employer-sponsored plan offering a member an employer-funded defined contribution, at least one insurance premium option and the ability to specify an allocation of the defined contribution for payment of option premiums and in turn, a directed contribution amount designated to such accruable account are disclosed. The accruable account may be used to reimburse the member for qualified medical expenses, and the member may pay any premium shortfall using a tax-advantaged process such as a premium only payment plan. Also disclosed are techniques and apparatus directed to presenting member-specific out-of-pocket expenses for a selected procedure offered by at least one health-care provider.

Abstract: A PLM system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes constructing an engineering design structure of a product that corresponds to physical parts of the product as designed. The method includes constructing an as-built design structure of the product that corresponds to physical parts of the product as built. The method includes displaying a bill of materials (BOM) window view that includes representations of both the engineering design structure and the as-built design structure.

Abstract: A method of dispensing registration that includes entering identifying information in an input module on a registration dispensing system. The identifying information is associated obtaining a registration. At least item is displayed on a display module associated with the registration dispensing system for which the registration may be obtained using the registration dispensing system. Registration payment information for the registration is received into the input module. The identifying information and the registration payment information are communicated with a database maintained by or on behalf of an entity issuing the registration. Registration information is received from the database. The registration information is formatted. The formatted registration information is printed on a registration document. The registration document is dispensed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product is described for providing meals to consumers in a school district. The method includes utilizing a computer processor to obtain meal offering submissions from food service suppliers, determining whether the meal offering comply with predefined guidelines and displaying the meal offerings that meet the guidelines on a client for selection by a user, and obtaining via user input, orders for the meal offerings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a context based payment system. Electronic currency or coupons can be made dependent on context, and the context can be one of location or geography, time, date, distance, sound, or other devices. The value of the currency exists only if a pre-condition is fulfilled. For example, if the currency is location dependent, the value only exists in a defined area (currency value area). The goods or the service in the value-system are also context dependent, that is, they can only be sold or offered in a defined area (product value area). Accordingly, if the product value area and the currency value area overlap, a purchase and payment can be made.

Abstract: Computer software, systems and methods preventing automatic deductions/credits to a User's financial account from being interrupted when a User changes the account. A User inputs information for one or more of their financial accounts into a record stored on a server database that is accessible from the User's electronic communications device. When the User changes information within the System database for one of their financial accounts, the System will automatically or periodically perform updates of the information on a Third Party database; or the Third Party server will request the updated information, wherein the Third Party is authorized to electronically debit or credit the account. Therefore, the User is not required to individually contact each Third Party with their updated account information, such as for monthly membership deductions, direct deposit of paychecks and retirement account contributions, and stored credit cards for online shopping.

Abstract: This invention concerns direct currency conversion, that is automatic currency conversion at point of payment for card transactions. In particular it concerns a method for operating equipment associated with a financial transaction. The method includes the steps of: Presenting a card related to a customer's account. Recording a card number from the card. Applying all or part of the card number to a tree structure, and automatically processing that number by the tree one bit at a time to arrive at an end node of the tree coded with information related to the currency of the customer's card account. Determining the currency of the customer's card account. Comparing the currency of the customer's card account with one or more currencies predetermined for the equipment. Where the comparison indicates different currencies, providing direct currency conversion services. In other aspects it concerns the equipment itself, and a method of preparing a tree structure for use by the equipment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention allow a user to wirelessly transmit payment information from a mobile device to a point-of-sale terminal by the user performing only a minimum number of inputs, such as a single input. Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus comprising an input device configured to receive input from a user, a communication device configured to transmit wireless signals to a transaction device, a memory comprising predetermined payment information stored therein and a processor communicably coupled to the input device, the communication device and the memory and configured to: receive transaction information from the transaction device related to a transaction; receive a first input from the user; determine if the first input matches a user defined action stored in memory, and use the communication device to wirelessly transmit the predetermined payment information and authorize payment if the first input matches the user defined action stored in memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating a commercial transaction between an account holder and a merchant. The account holder has an account that is associated with respective account information. The account information includes at least one criterion for pre-authorizing a transaction. When the consumer initiates a purchase transaction, a transaction approval request is generated which includes information relating to the commercial transaction. A purchase approval entity compares the received transaction approval request to the account information to determine whether the at least one criterion for pre-authorizing the transaction is satisfied. The transaction approval request is denied when a determination is made that the at least one criterion for pre-authorizing the transaction is not satisfied.

Abstract: The risk of losing sales of an item in a retail store due to the item not being on the retail store's shelves for customers to purchase is reduced. An item an item at a retail store may be identified as being at risk based at least in part on a sales volatility of the item and on a frequency of the item selling beyond its sales floor capacity within a day. A minimum number of facings for the item in the retail store may be determined based at least in part on an average daily capacity of the item, an average number of facings for the item, and a specified amount of daily sales of the item. The determined minimum number of facings for the item in the retail store may be reported.

Abstract: An automatic sales tax declaration system includes a control center, a point of sale (POS) terminal at a shop, a declaration machine accessible to a customer, and a tax declaration card. The POS terminal and the declaration machine both communicate with the control center via a mobile telecommunication network. When a sale is made, the merchant collects the payment using the POS terminal, which records customer tax information on the tax declaration card and transmits merchant tax information to the control center. Subsequently, the customer uses the tax declaration card and the declaration machine to transmit the customer tax information to the control center. The control center calculates the sales tax based on the customer and merchant tax information. If the control center does not receive merchant tax information corresponding to the customer tax information, it concludes that the merchant may have attempted to conceal sales and evade taxes.

Abstract: An interface control module includes a link generation module that generates a first link between a provider module and a consumer module. An interface contract module generates an interface contract. The interface contract corresponds to an interface of a product that includes the first link. The interface contract defines the interface based on a bill of materials (BOM). An interface assembly module assembles modules including the provider module and the consumer module to generate the product. An interface viewing module displays logical and physical views of the product on a display at least one of before and after assembly of the product.

Abstract: An electronic system and process for facilitating a financial transaction comprising a drop safe and a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, disposed at a retailer location, in communication with one another in which the POS terminal receives, from a user, a request to commence a drop request and, in response, instructs the drop safe to commence a drop request, whereupon after acceptance of the drop request the drop safe accepts, via a currency acceptor, currency that is identified and authenticated, and upon completion of the drop, the drop safe ascertains the total amount of accepted currency and transmits the ascertained amount to the POS terminal which then completes the transaction. The drop request may occur during a transaction with a customer for the purchase of goods or services or at other times. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system is provided that uses historical and current energy usage data generated by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters to allow users conduct an analysis of energy usage via a portal. In accordance with one embodiment, a tool is provided to allow customers to display an estimated next month bill.

Abstract: A method for use in replaying actions performed by a user of a software application. An input signal indicating an action performed by the user is received from a user input interface. Computer-executable instructions corresponding to the input signal are executed by a processor. An input event associated with the human-readable statements is stored in a memory device. Application object code corresponding to the human-readable statements may later be executed to replay the input event. In addition, an application state representing one or more variables of the software application may be stored.

Abstract: A computer implemented rule for verifying consistency in design documents is modeled as a set of associations among deliverable components, and a descriptive text explaining the specification is generated in combination with a text template.

Abstract: A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.