Abstract: A charging apparatus, system, and method capable of charging a mobile device. The apparatus, system and method may include at least an attachment mechanism capable of attaching to a surface; a sensor associated with said attachment mechanism and capable of receiving energy generated upon the surface, wherein the received energy is converted to electrical current; and a port electrically communicative with said sensor and capable of receiving the electrical current, and of providing that electrical current to the mobile device.

Abstract: A wireless meter reading system and method are provided to facilitate billing a consumer for utility usage. The wireless meter reading system comprises: (a) at least one utility meter; (b) at least one camera or imaging device optionally coupled to the at least one utility meter, wherein the at least one camera or imaging device operates to provide wireless meter reading image(s) of the utility meter from time to time, and wherein the wireless meter reading images comprise utility usage data and identifying data of the utility meter; (c) a power source coupled to the camera or imaging device; (d) a communication device for wirelessly receiving the meter reading images from the camera or imaging device; and (e) a wide area connection with the communication device for communicating the meter reading images to a central location.

Abstract: A wireless meter reading system and method are provided to facilitate billing a consumer for utility usage. The method comprises providing a camera or imaging device optionally coupled to a utility meter at a consumer site. The camera or imaging device operates to provide one or more wireless meter reading images of the utility meter from time to time. The one or more wireless meter reading images comprise utility usage data and identifying data of the utility meter. The one or more wireless meter reading images are transmitted to the utility provider. The utility consumer receives from the utility provider a billing statement for utility usage at the consumer site for a defined time period. The billing statement is based on the one or more wireless meter reading images transmitted to the utility provider.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided that include retrieving, from one or more databases, a first set of information including metadata of electronic communications of one or more entities, and retrieving, from one or more databases, a second set of information including metadata of telecom communications of the one or more entities. The method and system also include analyzing the metadata of the electronic communications and the metadata of the telecom communications to determine one or more interconnection associations of the one or more entities, and identifying activities and characteristics attributable to the one or more entities based on the one or more interconnection associations. The method and system are useful for identifying networks through metadata to prevent criminal or other unlawful activity (e.g., fraud, theft, etc.) and/or to mine for opportunities.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for predicting markets, including providing a plurality of prediction questions by an administrator over a network interface, displaying a first screen whereby a user may choose between a plurality of tabs containing a plurality of prediction question topics, displaying a second screen showing the prediction questions, displaying a third screen showing a single prediction question, upon request by a user, and optionally, awarding points to the user.