Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to methods and systems of that facilitate instant payment of invoices based on automatic, intelligent, predictions that a buyer will approve an invoice without express input by the buyer. For example, a system may determine a probability that an invoice will be approved for payment by a buyer with express approval from the buyer. Once an invoice is automatically approved for payment, the system may employ various automated systems to facilitate payment to suppliers without the need for suppliers to extract virtual card data or other payment information from email payment requests or other invoice payment requirements to receive payment. For example, the system may generate calls to automatically generate virtual card numbers on behalf of buyers and submit payment messages for payments to suppliers using the virtual card numbers.

Abstract: Systems and methods of incentivizing the use of a safety device while operating a vehicle are provided. Data captured by sensors associated with a safety device may be analyzed to identify instances in which the safety device is used by an operator of a vehicle. Additionally, data captured by sensors associated with the vehicle may be analyzed to identify instances in which the vehicle is in motion. By comparing the instances in which the safety device is used by the operator of the vehicle to the instances in which the vehicle is in motion, instances in which the operator of the vehicle uses the safety device while operating the vehicle may be determined. Furthermore, a trend of the operator of the vehicle using the safety device while operating the vehicle may be identified. A notification related to the identified trend may be provided to the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: The innovation discloses systems, methods and computer program products that reduce complexity and associated measures that are taken to ensure trust in secured transactions as necessitated by requirements present only in an ecommerce environment that do not have a parallel with traditional bricks and mortar commercial transactions. The innovation enables a multitude of mobile wallet applications to engage and obtain services from ecommerce applications wherein backend processing by a mobile wallet server obtains and delivers funds to ecommerce applications without sharing a subset of sensitive data, associated with a mobile wallet application user for the secured transactions.

Abstract: A method includes conveying a cryptocurrency transaction to a peer-to-peer network, wherein said cryptocurrency transaction having encoded therein an email address and to convey goods or services embodied in an electronic form to the email address in response to receipt of said cryptocurrency transaction on said peer-to-peer network. The conveying of goods or services includes transmitting over the Internet in conformance with an email protocol. The goods or services includes event admission tickets, music recordings, video, text, game content, live event broadcast, software, encryption keys or passwords.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilizing interactive UI dialogs to resolve issues that may arise during the real-time ordering and activation of wireless products and services while a user is engaged during their session. The interactive UI dialogs may provide a customer with an opportunity to provide information, make decisions or trigger additional steps during the real time order.

Abstract: Described are implementations that facilitate group determination and association at entry into a facility so that activities of group members of the group are associated with the group and/or applied to a single account designated for the group. For example, if four individuals enter the facility together, the disclosed implementations determine whether the four individuals are to be associated as a group. If associated as a group, an account, such as an account of one of the individuals, is also determined and associated with the group. Activities, such as an item pick, performed by one of those individuals is associated with the group and if there is a fee or charge associated with the activity it is applied to the associated account.

Abstract: In a delivery service, a picker retrieves items specified in an order by a customer. If a picker encounters an issue with an item in the order, the picker may select, via a user interface, the item and an associated template message, which requests input from the customer regarding a course of action for the item, to send to the customer. The customer may select, via another user interface, a template message describing a course of action for the item. In response to receiving one of a subset of template messages, the online concierge system displays via the user interface, a set of replacement options to the customer, who may select one of the replacement options to be sent to the picker with the template message.

Abstract: Enterprise messaging using a blockchain system. A method of the disclosure includes receiving, by a first node of a blockchain system of an enterprise service bus, a message transmitted by a second node of the blockchain system. The blockchain system may be to store a plurality of messages communicated via the enterprise service bus in a distributed ledger. The method also includes determining, by the first node, whether the first node should process the message. The method further includes processing, by the first node, the message in response to determining that the message should be processed by the first node. The method further includes updating the distributed ledger to indicate that the message has been processed by the first node.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for improving security of smart contract comprises: obtaining a first and a second transactions both invoking a smart contract, wherein the first transaction is associated with a protection condition; executing the second transaction and updating a current state of the smart contract; determining whether the updated current state of the smart contract satisfies the protection condition; in response to determining that the updated current state satisfies the protection condition, executing the first transaction, and recording the second and the first transactions into a data block for adding to a blockchain; and in response to determining that the updated current state does not satisfy the protection condition, recording the second transaction into another data block for adding to the blockchain, without executing the first transaction.

Abstract: An automated system can be used for tracking facade elements such as panels, glazing, or related structures, such as to help facilitate processing (e.g., fabrication) of such elements. Such a system can also facilitate management of other aspects of a life-cycle of a facade element, such as including one or more of design management or field monitoring. Such a system can include generating a unique identifier that is specific to a particular article, such as a panel or frame member, for example. Such a unique identifier can be used to track the article through the fabrication process.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may reference a record of a construction project on a blockchain-based distributed ledger. Materials arriving to the project may be recorded as part of the permanent record. The exemplary embodiments may receive or determine a construction schedule that contains full project details and sequencing, including the specification of dependencies. Smart contracts may be provided that use the blockchain-based distributed ledger for each step or task of the construction schedule. Via smart contract, exemplary embodiments may place and terminate insurance coverage based on the construction schedule and contracts. The exemplary embodiments may build a complete record of plans, the actual “as builts” including make, model, serial number or other identification of for every component in the home resulting from the construction project. The record may include a complete record of who completed the work, who inspected the work and how the project was insured and funded.

Abstract: A printing apparatus to which plural ink tanks can be attached includes a print unit performing printing using ink of plural colors, a first determination unit to determine that a remaining amount of ink in any of plural ink tanks is lower than a predetermined amount, and a second determination unit to determine that order information for the ink tank has been transmitted to a server, based on a memory provided in the ink tank that stores predetermined information. When it is determined the remaining amount of a predetermined ink tank is less than the predetermined amount and the order information for the predetermined ink tank is yet to be transmitted, order information is transmitted for the predetermined ink tank, to the server, based on detection that an ink tank is attached to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The systems and methods may identify order requests from internal messaging or collaboration systems. Once order requests are identified, the systems and methods determine purchase orders based on the requests, and generate tokens (e.g., virtual credit cards) specific to a purchase order, to be used by the requestor to complete the purchase of requested items or services. Once the tokens are used, the systems and methods may then track the purchases in various databases, providing the organization with various views or insights into their employee's expenditures.

Abstract: A method for processing an encoded one-time number via payment rails includes: receiving, by a receiving device interfaced with a computing system, a one-time number, wherein the one-time number is comprised of at least an identification value and a remaining value; executing, by a querying module of the computing system, a query on a memory of the computing system to identify a routing number based on at least a portion of the one-time number; generating, by a generation module of the computing system, a data value, wherein the data value includes at least the identified routing number and the remaining value; and electronically transmitting, by a transmitting device of the computing system, the generated data value to an external system via payment rails associated with a payment network.

Abstract: A game system comprising at least one processor configured to: receive, from a second user identified by second user identification information, an exchange request for exchanging a desired game object for an offered game object, the at least one first desired game object being selected from a first group of game objects associated with the first user identification information of a first user, the at least one first offered game object being selected from a group of second game objects associated with the second user identification information; exchange the first desired game object for the first offered game object based on the exchange request; and receive a selection of any combination of game objects which comprise are at least one of the first desired game object and/or the first offered game object, in one an exchange.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards allocating resources in a business system. A data model that includes a plurality data objects may be generated, such that each data object includes a plurality of data object line items. Allocation rules that allocate resources between the data objects may be generated. The allocation rules may be employed to identify key features of data objects, such that the key features are used by the allocation rules to allocate resources. If key features are identified, grouped objects that separately correspond to the data objects that include key features may be generated. Also, grouped object line items may be generated for each of the grouped objects based on each distinct value of the key features, such that the data object line items are collapsed into grouped object line items based on the distinct values of the key features.

Abstract: A server device comprising: a communication unit, a storage unit storing device identification information for identifying an image forming apparatus communicable with the server device via the communication unit. Recording material is contained in a cartridge attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus. The control unit is configured to perform: (a) receiving residual amount information about residual amount of the recording material; (b) determining whether or not the residual amount of the recording material is equal to or less than a first threshold; (c) determining whether or not the residual amount information is about the cartridge that has been delivered in accordance with an order instruction; and in response to affirmative determination made in (b) and affirmative determination made in (c), transmitting the order instruction to the external device via the communication unit.

Abstract: An information processing system according to one embodiment includes a first specifying unit, a second specifying unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. The first specifying unit specifies one or more first evaluation points of view corresponding to an expression in first information created by a provider of an object based on dictionary data indicating association between an expression and an evaluation point of view. The second specifying unit specifies one or more second evaluation points of view corresponding to the expression in second information created by a reviewer for the object based on the dictionary data. The generation unit generates supplementary information based on a difference in an evaluation degree between the first evaluation point of view and the second evaluation point of view. The output unit outputs the supplementary information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved detection of fraud, waste, and abuse are provided, based on the analysis of enriched relationships and aggregated metrics thereof. An enriched relationship record associates patient and provider information to provide an enhanced view of patient data, provider data, and interaction data for a given entity. Aggregated metrics provide an enhanced view of a particular entity's activities based on the entity's interactions with other entities and data and metadata from the related entities' enriched relationship records. The enriched relationship records and aggregated metrics may be used to audit the entity and produce a report indicative of suspicion levels for the entity engaging in fraud, waste, or abuse.

Abstract: Payment of non-settlement currencies includes developing a non-settlement currency exchange separate from a financial institution unwilling to assume risks in converting non-settlement currencies. The non-settlement currency exchange includes a predictive model to provide an estimated currency exchange rate. Schemes are provided where a merchant may share currency exchange profit and/or currency exchange losses with a financial institution. The exchange rate may be persisted in subsequent related financial transactions such as a refund, a chargeback, and/or a representment.

Abstract: An information interaction method and device are provided. In the method, the device establishes a connection with a wearable device. The device sends information to be interacted corresponding to a logged-in ID to the wearable device via the connection. The device receives a first encrypted result returned by the wearable device. The device generates a first verifying factor corresponding to the first encrypted result with a predetermined algorithm. The device sends the information to be interacted and the first verifying factor in an associated manner to a server. The device receives a message indicating that an interaction is finished, where the message is sent if the server determines that a second verifying factor generated with the predetermined algorithm and corresponding to a second encrypted result matches the first verifying factor. The second encrypted result is obtained by encrypting the information by the server with the pre-stored encryption key.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems for real time processing of large data sets are disclosed. A large data set from a plurality of sources can be imported to a batch layer by one or more processors of a computer system comprising the batch layer, a view layer, and a cache layer. These methods, computer program products, and systems can be used to create a view in the view layer depicting a subset of the imported large data set and responsive to receiving a user request to change at least a portion of the subset depicted in the view, copying the view to the cache layer and changing the copy of the view at the cache layer according to the received user request and can then synchronize the changed copy of the view with the view at the view layer.

Abstract: Techniques for text message transmission are described herein. These techniques may include collecting multiple user IDs for electronic commerce. Using the user IDs, a server transmits a text message to multiple clients, and obtains activities of particular clients of the multiple clients in response to the text message to determine particular user IDs associated with the particular clients. Based on the obtained activities, the server generates and/or updates a graylist that includes one or more user IDs of the multiple user IDs different from the particular user IDs.

Abstract: At each of a plurality of merchant Point Of Service terminals (POS), for each of a plurality of consumers, where each consumer seeks to conduct a transaction with the merchant for a good or service by using a payment device issued by an issuer in a payment system, data is read from the payment device. The data can include an identifier for an account issued by an issuer. The consumer is permitted to receive the good or service from the merchant prior to validating the account with the issuer. Transaction information for each transaction is stored during a predetermined aggregation criteria, such as time period, number of transactions, monetary volume, etc., into an aggregation set of said transactions. During the predetermined aggregation criteria, an evaluation is made, by communication with the corresponding issuer, whether the accounts in the aggregation set of transactions are valid.

Abstract: A method for obtaining one or more signatures on a document is disclosed, which includes: inputting information of a requestor and one or more approvers into an image forming apparatus and requesting signature approval on one or more documents; generating an e-mail from the image forming apparatus to the one or more approvers; forwarding the generated e-mail to the one or more approvers, wherein the one or more approvers can approve or reject the request for the signature approval from the requestor, forwarding the approval or rejection from each of the one or more approvers to the remote server upon selection of an approval or a rejection icon, and processing the approval or rejection of each of the one or more approvers on the remote server and generating a notification on the remote server, which is forwarded to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sales portal system supports a plurality of buyer computers used by a corresponding plurality of buyers. The sales portal system supports a first seller's computer to support sales of a first plurality of products a second seller's computer to support sales of a second plurality of products. The sales portal accesses first product data from the first seller's computer and second product data from the second seller's computer and responds to a query received from one of the plurality of buyer computers by delivering selections from the associated first product data and the associated second product data. The sales portal manages a single sales transaction for a first product of a first seller and a second product of a second seller. The sales portal rates sellers. The sales portal apportions payment, fulfillment, delivery instructions, and other sales components to the first and second sellers.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and computing device for receiving a request to load at least one new media content item on a personal media device. The size of the at least one new media content item is compared with the amount of storage space remaining on the personal media device to determine if the personal media device has sufficient available storage space. If the personal media device does not have sufficient available storage space, a relative weight associated with at least one old media content item stored on the personal media device is ascertained, the relative weight corresponding to a likelihood that the at least one old media content item will be rendered on the personal media device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to inventory governance in a virtual universe. A method of inventory governance in a virtual universe (VU) includes: providing an inventory for a virtual universe (VU) resident; and providing means for governing at least one aspect of the inventory, the governing means comprising at least one of: an administrative interface for establishing an authorizing relationship between the VU resident and an authorizing entity; a filtering interface for administering at least one filter to the inventory; or a monitoring interface for providing capability to monitor at least one of: the VU resident or the inventory.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for automatic activation of mobile payment mechanisms (e.g., software applications, devices/hardware and the like) on a mobile communication device in response to automated determination of the mobile payment types accepted by a merchant at which the user/consumer is located. As such, the present invention serves to automatically make the user/consumer aware of an option for mobile payment. In addition, the mobile payment transaction is made more efficient, in that, the user/consumer does not have to manually configure and/or activate the software or hardware associated with the mobile payment type.

Abstract: A system and method for execution of financial and data transactions includes a point-of-sale device configured to execute a transaction in which at least one good or service is sold to an individual having a card with a storage medium encoding a card number. The transaction is completed after said point-of-sale device receives a data transmission authorizing said transaction. The point-of-sale device is configured to communicate via the Internet with a first computing system. The first computing system stores a set of instructions that cause the first computing system to evaluate the transaction to determine whether the transaction is to be authorized, and to send a transmission authorizing the transaction via the open network to said point-of-sale device.

Abstract: A method for providing a token revocation list is disclosed. The method includes maintaining a status for each of a plurality of tokens in a token revocation database. Token validation requests are received, and the statuses of payment tokens can be determined. Response messages with the statuses of the payment tokens are then sent to token status requesters so that they may make decisions on whether or not to use them to process transactions.

Abstract: An approach is provided for using a purchase order system to verify information on invoices. One or more text fields represented in invoice image data are compared to purchase order data from a purchase order system. If the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data do not match the purchase order data from the purchase order system, then the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data are designated for special processing. If the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data match the purchase order data from the purchase order system, then the invoice is designated as verified. The approach also includes the ability for a user to supplement invoice data with additional data, such as codes used by business organizations, and for automatic correction of errors in text fields using data maintained by the purchase order system.

Abstract: A method and system of conducting a mobile transaction with a kiosk management system operating a plurality of kiosks for requested items is provided. A consumer may possess a portable device configured to communicate with the kiosk management system such that the kiosk management system may provide requested items to a selected kiosk from the plurality of kiosks. The portable device may operate a mobile application to display a list of available kiosks providing the requested items for the consumer to select a kiosk to reserve the requested items at. The consumer may then use the portable device to interact with the selected kiosk to retrieve the requested items reserved at the selected kiosk.

Abstract: In general, network traffic-based electronic commerce (e-commerce) techniques are described. The techniques may potentially prevent website crashes caused by traffic spikes. An example method includes determining, by a computing device, a level of network traffic associated with accessing a website that provides one or more e-commerce capabilities, and comparing the level of network traffic against a threshold traffic level. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the level of network traffic exceeds the threshold traffic level, determining whether a purchase request received via the website identifies a limited time offer (LTO) that is currently available via the website, and when the purchase request identifies the LTO, denying the purchase request with respect to the LTO at an add-to-cart stage.

Abstract: A request is received from a requester by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network. The request is used to identify a plurality of candidate domain names. For each one of the plurality of candidate domain names, a determination is made as to whether the candidate domain name is registered. When the candidate domain name is registered, the candidate domain name is displayed in a result listing on a domain registration website hosted by the at least one server in response to the request, and a first user interface enabling the requester to submit an offer to purchase the candidate domain name is displayed. When the candidate domain name is not registered, the candidate domain name is displayed in the result listing on the domain registration website in response to the request, and a second user interface enabling the requester to purchase the candidate domain name is displayed.

Abstract: A request is received from a requester by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network. The request is used to identify a plurality of candidate domain names. For each one of the plurality of candidate domain names, a determination is made as to whether the candidate domain name is registered. When the candidate domain name is registered, the candidate domain name is displayed in a result listing on a domain registration website hosted by the at least one server in response to the request, and a first user interface enabling the requester to submit an offer to purchase the candidate domain name is displayed. When the candidate domain name is not registered, the candidate domain name is displayed in the result listing on the domain registration website in response to the request, and a second user interface enabling the requester to purchase the candidate domain name is displayed.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to an address snapshot and an approval process definition business object.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods are provided for authenticating a user seeking to conduct at least one interaction with a secured capability provided by a computer. The method includes providing a first identifier to at least one verification server and providing a second identifier to an electronic device being used by the user. The first identifier and the second identifier each corresponds to the secured capability. The method further includes providing the electronic device with a user-selectable link configured to, upon being selected by the user, initiate a program to run on the electronic device. The program is configured to transmit a third identifier to the at least one verification server. The third identifier corresponds to the secured capability. The method further includes receiving authorization information from at least one of the electronic device and the at least one verification server. The method further includes using a processor (e.g.

Abstract: A computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage medium for providing supplier related financing to one or more Goods and Services Providers (GSPs), the computer program product comprising programming instructions for: a) authentication of a Purchase Order (PO) sent to a Goods and Services Provider (GSP) from a Payment Procedure Specific Organisations (PPSO) such as an insurance company; b) publication of the GSP's requirement for supply of one or more parts and/or services, for viewing by one or more potential suppliers; c) matching of said offers of supply in the form of trade credit from one or more suppliers to the GSP's requirements and/or the associated PO specification; and d) presentation of said preferential offers of supply to said GSP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fraud protection in purchase transactions made by a customer. The method including the steps of: receiving a purchase request for one or more items having a first price; generating a second price and/or an applied identifier that is unknown to the customer; applying a charge of the second price and/or the applied identifier using payment details provided; receiving data indicative of a third price and/or a recorded identifier; and comparing the data with the second price and/or the applied identifier; wherein if data is equal to the second price and/or applied identifier then finalise the purchase request.

Abstract: A method of certifying ownership of something, or authenticating a commodity of value via such ownership certification method, incorporates the use of a unique string of currency serial numbers. In an implementation of the method, an individual may access a merchant offering a commodity of value for sale by, for example, logging onto a website of the merchant; logging onto a mobile device application that interfaces with the merchant; telephoning the merchant; and entering a retail location associated with the merchant. The individual subsequently makes a purchase of at least one commodity of value and associates the purchase of the commodity of value with a unique serial number of a currency bill in the possession of the individual making the purchase, such that the currency bill having the associated unique serial number, when produced at a later time, functions to authenticate the purchase of the commodity of value.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining a domain name for purchase. A purchaser is defined for the domain name. Validating information is defined for the purchaser. The authenticity of the purchaser is confirmed based, at least in part, upon the validating information. An online presence is automatically generated at the domain name.

Abstract: A computer receives a first restriction on the sale of an item from a seller, wherein the first restriction is based on at least one social media account characteristic. The computer receives an offer for purchase of the item from a buyer, wherein the offer includes characteristics of a social media account of the buyer. The computer determines whether the characteristics of the social media account of the buyer satisfies the first restriction on the sale of the item. Based on the determination of whether the characteristics of the social media account of the buyer satisfies the first restriction on the sale of the item, the computer determines whether to transmit the offer for purchase of the item to the seller.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically submitting an online order from a customer to a restaurant. Input data and customer data is used by an order engine to select a deployment platform, such as social media networks, search engines, mobile applications, and related websites, for a user interface. The order engine provides a unique identifier for each restaurant. The unique identifier can be used by third parties, such as online content providers, to return the menu for the restaurant included in the third party content. The user interface automatically populates the restaurant's menu options and business data, allowing the customer to build an order. The order engine submits the order to the restaurant via a non-verbal communication platform.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for purchasing a product. A consumer may purchase a token at a first location. The token may share a similar design with a product located in a second location. After purchasing the token, consumer data including a delivery address may be transmitted from a data repository accessible at the first location to a data repository accessible at the second location. Consumer data including a delivery address accessed at the second location may be used to prepare a delivery of the product to the delivery address. The token may be presented and/or validated at the time of product delivery. The product may have logistic and/or legal restrictions preventing a purchase of the product at the first location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of engaging in a transaction between a merchant and a business entity. The method includes: initiating a transaction by the business entity with a merchant; obtaining, by the merchant, a business entity data set including at least one data field; communicating an authorization request from the merchant to a provider, the request including at least one data field from the business entity data set and at least one field from a transaction data set; establishing a credit-based relationship between the provider and the business entity; communicating an authorization response from the provider to at least one of the merchant and the business entity; and engaging in the transaction between the provider and the business entity based at least in part upon the established credit-based relationship. A system and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamic review and approval process includes determining a minimum approval limit and constructing an approver list for procurement of one of goods and services. The approver list comprises a plurality of approvers, each approver having an approval limit that at least meets the minimum approval limit. The process includes removing one or more approvers who are unavailable and utilizing delegates for unavailable approvers. Processing approvals comprises notifying a first approver of the need for review and approval, receiving an approval or unapproval from the first approver, and repeating the steps of notifying and receiving for the remaining approvers on the approver list. An approval or unapproval from an approver not on the approver list is received and it is determined if the approval process is complete. It indicated to a user if the approval process is complete, otherwise the steps of notifying and receiving are repeated.

Abstract: An order placement and delivery system is provided in which a final delivery address of a recipient is obscured or not known to a sender. The sender places an order for a gift against the unique sender identity, relays to the administrator a recipient's virtual contact address, and constructs a personal message which is routed to the virtual contact address. The point of origin of the personal message is inferred to be directly from the sender. The personal message forewarns the recipient that they will be messaged by the administrator to acquire a real-world physical address that will be used for physical gift delivery and stored in the database against the virtual contact address, such that future orders identifying the recipient's virtual contact address can be dispatched expeditiously to the recipient's physical address with reduced messaging overhead and without having to reveal the recipient's physical address to the sender.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilizing interactive UI dialogs to resolve issues that may arise during the real-time ordering and activation of wireless products and services while a user is engaged during their session. The interactive UI dialogs may provide a customer with an opportunity to provide information, make decisions or trigger additional steps during the real time order.

Abstract: A customer purchasing workflow management functionality related to a customer account hosted by a vendor system is presented on a client computing device in a dashboard page. The system allows a customer to visualize purchasing workflows and processes by authorized purchasers and by authorized approvers, including the spending and approval limits associated with each, and the relationships therebetween. The system further provides for editing of the stored information comprising the purchasing workflows and processes.