Abstract: Systems and methods for providing intelligent routing of customer inquiries via multi-channel communication tools. A dynamic router is provided that embraces interaction and manages resources of a back end system out to a portal. Such interaction can be via a chat session, a webpage, a telephone, or another manner of communication. When an individual (e.g., a customer or other individual) comes to a portal, the individual is dynamically routed to the preferred channel based on one or more of a variety of factors. A set of rules, customer information, and intelligent analysis combine to dynamically determine how to martial the resources to best service the individual. The routing provides a tailored experience specific to the particular individual rather than a static behavior that everyone would experience, and ensures that the communication takes place in a language that is desired by the individual.

Abstract: The invention provides dimensional weighing apparatus (5) that may e.g. be placed transparently between the weighing scales (3) and POS terminal (4) of e.g. a postal outlet so as to provide dimensional weighing of a parcel (2). The apparatus (5) senses the parcel height with a sensor (10), and senses the parcel cross-section with a sensor (11) that obtains data points as the parcel (2) rotates on a turntable (12). A control unit (6) determines the parcel volume from the height and cross-section data, and determines a dimensional weight based on the volume and on a minimum chargeable weight per unit volume. It compares the dimensional weight with the actual weight from the scales (3), and outputs the larger value to the POS terminal (4). Various sensor arrangements and profile analyses are described.

Abstract: An optimized approach for arriving at a shared secret key in a dynamically changing multicast or broadcast group environment is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for communicating through a secure channel between members of a dynamically changing multicast group connected over an insecure network. The method provides that a first shared secret key for establishing a first multicast group is computed that includes a set of one or more first members. Based on the first shared secret key, a first multicast group exchange key is also generated. Upon receiving a first user exchange key from a first user requesting entry into the first multicast group, a second secret key, based on the first user exchange key and the first shared secret key is computed. The first multicast group exchange key is sent to the first user and used by the first user to generate the same second shared secret key.