Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capacity management of draining-state platforms providing network-accessible resources are disclosed. A system includes computing platforms configurable to host a plurality of resource instances, and a resource manager. The resource manager determines that a particular computing platform is in a draining state, wherein, in accordance with its designation as being in the draining state, the particular platform is currently hosting at least one uninterruptible resource instance and is temporarily unavailable to launch additional uninterruptible resource instances. In response to (a) a determination that the particular computing platform in the draining state has sufficient available computing capacity for at least one resource instance and (b) an instance activation request from a client, the resource manager launches an interruptible resource instance on the particular computing platform.

Abstract: A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. Each user group is assigned a unique group identifier, which can be a telephone number. As a result, a single telephony device belonging to a member of a user group can be associated with its own unique telephone number, and the telephone number of the user group. This also means that a member's telephony device could be associated with multiple different billing accounts. The system allows a user to select which of multiple different billing accounts that are associated with his telephony device are to be billed for outgoing communications.

Abstract: Methods and a system to provide telecommunications management services are provided. A method includes receiving a service request for change management or servicing a telecommunications equipment item, classifying the request to determine a policy associated with the request, determining customized workflows for executing the policy and servicing the request, identifying transactions required to service the request, and monitoring execution of the transactions until completion.

Abstract: A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for initially configuring a network appliance. The method can detect, by the network appliance, a subscriber network. The method can transmit, to a remote configuration service via the subscriber network, a request for configuration information for the network appliance, and receive, via the subscriber network, the configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first parameters for the subscriber network, and second parameters for an access network for connecting computing devices to the network appliance. The method can also perform an automated initial configuration of the network appliance using the configuration information, wherein the automated configuration does not require user input, and wherein the automated configuration includes using the first parameters and the second parameters to configure the network appliance for use with the access network and the subscriber network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computerized method facilitates invoicing for transactions in a network-based transaction system. The method includes identifying a plurality of transactions to which a first entity is a party, identifying first and second transactions from the plurality of transactions that satisfy combinable criteria relating to combining transactions into a single invoice, and providing to the first entity an indication of the combinability of transactions of the first and second transactions into the single invoice. The method can also be implemented on a machine readable medium.

Abstract: A metering tool can monitor the software resources of the cloud to meter the software utilization of the cloud. The metering tool can cooperate and communicate with a cloud management system to determine the software resources utilized by processes instantiated in the cloud and to track the duration of the utilization. The metering tool can store the tracked utilization in a record.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity, and are compensated through settlement for their functional participation in the electric power grid.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity, and are compensated through settlement for their functional participation in the electric power grid.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that identifies an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item, obtains a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source; and aggregates the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to an individualized menu system for use by customers in a retail environment. Multiple mobile computing devices are in communication with a database server from which the mobile computing devices retrieve menu related data items. The menu related data items are then used to present a menu to the customer by way of the mobile computing devices. The mobile computing devices are authenticated by the database server and communicate with the database server using a secure communications protocol. Each menu related data item in the database server is individually editable by an administrative user and edits are not propagated to the mobile computing devices until they are committed as such by the administrative user.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the expenses of a traveller during the progress of an itinerary utilises NFC for carrying out the financial transactions associated with the itinerary and updates a corporate ERP or similar financial database with the financial transactions as they occur allowing rapid allocation to cost centres. The itinerary may be laid out in terms of itinerary events, each of which may be tracked by an NFC connection with an NFC device at an expected location and date for the itinerary event.

Abstract: A volume-rate food-waste disposal apparatus recognizes a user who discharges food-waste into the food-waste disposal apparatus to produce source information and weights the food-waste to produce weight information. The food-waste disposal apparatus receives an electrical power in a wireless manner and dries the food-waste using magnetic waves. The food-waste disposal apparatus transmits the source information and the source information to a charging server so that an on-line food-waste disposal fee per source is billed on a basis of a prefixed food-waste disposal fee per weight.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for using reverse rating to determine the monetary value of consumption of services measured by one or more meters. A plurality of consumption readings associated with a second time may be received from a set of meters tracking consumption by a consumer. Consumption rates may be determined for the meters based on the received consumption readings and on initial consumption values from a first time prior to the second time. A monetary liability function may be determined for the consumer based on the consumption rates and a plurality of rating functions associated with the meters. A third time may be calculated based on the monetary liability function at which a monetary target is reached by the meters. The monetary target may be a monetary cap on consumption by the meters, or a monetary commitment value.

Abstract: One or more devices receive, from multiple business processes, real-time billing data relating to the multiple business processes, wherein the multiple business processes include both mainframe systems and open systems. The one or more devices compile the real-time billing data into summary tables corresponding to metrics for the multiple business processes and store the summary tables corresponding to the metrics for the multiple business processes. The one or more devices receive, from a user device, a request to present a dashboard user interface including particular charts of the multiple business processes and retrieve, from the summary tables, data to populate the particular charts for the dashboard user interface. The one or more devices providing, to the user device, a configuration interface for presentation of the particular charts for the dashboard user interface and providing, to the user device, the data to populate the particular charts for the dashboard user interface.

Abstract: A billing device and processing method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) collecting a billing log according to performing a biz template at the business logic processing unit, ii) verifying validity of the collected billing log, iii) performing a standardizing process on the verified billing log, iv) generating billing data by applying a predetermined billing policy according to the standardized billing log, v) generating a billing file (MDR) to transmit to a billing legacy system of a mobile communication system using the generated billing data and vi) transmitting the generated billing file (MDR) to the billing legacy system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and tracking usage of a lamp and, in one example, assigning a monetary value that can be billed to an end user are provided. Examples of the lamps can communicate wirelessly in order to receive and to transmit information related to initialization, authorization, electrical power consumption monitoring, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the lamp transmits data a usage parameter to a service provider via a network. The service provider can aggregate the data and, in one example, assign a usage fee that describes a monetary value based on the usage parameter and generate an output that includes that usage fee.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for billing transactions associated with an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). A server may receive a station identifier associated with the EVCS from a computing device. The station identifier may be retrieved by decoding a code at the computing device. The code may include a graphic bit pattern that is configured to be decoded based on an optically captured representation of the code. The server may determine whether the EVCS is legitimate based on the station identifier. The server may provide a signal to the EVCS to initiate charging of a vehicle plugged into the EVCS in response to a determination that the EVCS is legitimate.

Abstract: A system applies rules to a set of documents to generate codes, such as billing codes for use in medical billing. A human operator provides input specifying whether the generated codes are correct. Based on the input from the human operator, the system attempts to identify which clause(s) in the rules which were relied on to generate the particular code are correct and which such clause(s) are incorrect. The system then assigns praise to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the correct clauses, and assigns blame to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the incorrect clauses. Such blame and praise may then be used to determine whether particular code-generating components are insufficiently reliable. The system may disable, or take other remedial action in response to, insufficiently reliable code-generating components.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an online-like transaction processing method and system for processing account information contained in batch process files, the method including: reading at least one batch file containing a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records being related to an associated one of a plurality of accounts; identifying which of the plurality of records relate to same ones of the plurality of accounts; identifying one of the accounts; and, processing all of the records identified as relating to the one of the accounts together and independent of processing any of the records relating to any other of the plurality of accounts.

Abstract: Distribution of electronic documents is described, including receiving an electronic document to be distributed, identifying whether a destination identifier is associated with a destination account among a known group of customer accounts, routing the electronic document, and calculating a fee associated with delivery of the electronic document based on whether the destination account is among the known group of customers and a set of billing rules. The set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to each of a known group of customer accounts. In other aspects, the set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to a first group of the known group of customer accounts and specify a standard fee for a second group of the known group of customer accounts.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for managing usage of storage tank consumables in a storage tank are provided. This is achieved by receiving and storing by a central server comprising a processor and a storage device, measurements of storage tank consumables from a remote system associated with a storage tank; periodically calculating by the processor usage-based data for generating invoices for storage tank consumables based on sensor measurements representative of an estimated usage of the storage tank consumables; receiving and storing by the central server a fill value representing an actual usage reported to the central server when the storage tank is filled; and reconciling the estimated usage with the actual usage by the processor by summing all estimated usages since a last fill of the storage tank, calculating a difference between the sum of the estimated usages and the fill value, and issuing a debit or credit based on the difference for reconciliation.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a process for reconciling billing measures to cost factors, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, a set of billing measures from one or more applications and a set of cost factors from infrastructure feeds. Analyzing the set of billing measures and cost factors received, using a set of defined relationships to create analyzed information and generates, by the one or more processors, a set of reports using the analyzed information. Responsive to a determination to update the set of definitions, update the sets of definitions using information from the generated reports.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and systems for enabling a client to request a server to cancel the digital signing of a form file associated with a form. Successful cancellation of the digital signing process results in a return of the form file to its initial state, in which data are not lost, and the form can be resubmitted and/or the application of the digital signature can be retried. Request and response messages, communicated between a protocol client and a protocol server, cause the performance of protocol functions for applying a digital signature to a form file and for cancelling the signature thereof where errors in the signing process are detected. A versioning mechanism enabling the detection of version differences and resulting upgrades to the digital signature control allows for robust communications between a client and a server operating under different product versions.

Abstract: A method for managing payments made as part of an employee-liable expense reimbursement program is described. A plurality of employees are enrolled in the program and submit requests for reimbursement for expenses related to a service provided to the employees by a service provider for which the employees are liable. The method includes receiving, by the computer system, requests for reimbursement and aggregating the requests for reimbursement scheduled for payment within a predefined time period and associated with the service provider. The method also includes generating an invoice, using the computer system that includes a payment amount to be paid to the first service provider. The method also includes automatically requesting funds from an employer of the plurality of employees for the payment amount included in the invoice and electronically transferring, using the computer system, funds associated with the employer to the service provider.

Abstract: A data storage device that can be reversibly associated with one or more of a plurality of hosts. A “trusted” host on which the device is mounted is allowed access to a secure data area of the device automatically, without the user having to enter a password. Ways in which a host is designated as “trusted” include storing the host's ID in a trusted host list of the device, storing a representation of the host's ID that was encrypted using a trust key of the device in a cookie in the host, or storing a storage password of the device in a password list of the host. Alternatively, an untrusted host is allowed access to the secure data area if a user enters a correct user password.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated time reporting and billing solution that facilitates billing and payment for time-related activities and manages contract workflow from end to end. The present invention can be employed in any industry for any employment relationship where in-house or supplemental contract labor is tracked by time. In one embodiment, the invention includes a contractor submission and tracking system (CSTS) and back office workflow management system (BOSS) to track and report vendor activity and contractor spend. The present invention can be used by employer-clients, contractors and contractor suppliers to facilitate contractor requisition, contract creation and modification, document tracking, business rule implementation, reporting, communications, timesheet entry, timesheet approval, and billing presentment, payment and other aspects of contract workflow management.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating delivery and adjustments of customer orders at a customer delivery site. A delivery courier is assigned a mobile field computing device for facilitating delivery and order adjustments of customer orders associated with that courier's delivery route. The mobile field computing device includes memory for storing customer order history data and delivery route data downloaded from a server system. The delivery route data stored in the mobile field computing device may be used by the delivery courier to facilitate delivery of the customer orders. Further, the delivery courier may use the mobile field computing device to process a variety of different order adjustment transactions at a customer delivery site.

Abstract: A controller for a private unit in a multi-unit building is provided. The controller operates the private unit's HVAC equipment, and includes a processor, output display, memory, and a RF module for communication. The controller is operable to receive temperature or flow values of a fluid passing through the HVAC equipment. Using the received temperature values of the fluid passing through the HVAC equipment, the controller calculates a measured value of HVAC usage of the HVAC equipment. The measured value can be in units of energy or in dollars.

Abstract: Enhanced systems and methods for processing invoices, payments, and money transfers are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing an optimal alternative billing plan for mobile telephony users managed through a call center, which is applicable to the recommendation of an optimal telephony plan to the customers of an operator, considering the consumption of the customer, the risk of the customer migrating to another and the market strategy of the operator. It comprises the estimation of the real bill of a customer during a time period covering the last M months, a simulated estimation of the bill of the customer using any generic plan based on the mean traffic of the last M months, applying a simulation algorithm and the estimation of the churn risk of a customer according to the value of the said customer, the value of the operators on the market, number of better offers, number of the customers which he calls per operator and the simulations performed with the generic plans, applying an estimation algorithm.

Abstract: A remote management system includes imaging apparatuses and a central managing apparatus configured to manage the imaging apparatuses. The imaging apparatuses and the central managing apparatus are connected to mutually communicate with each other. The respective imaging apparatuses notify the central managing apparatus of one or more counter values of one or more users, one of the counter values corresponds to a number of images processed by corresponding one of the users by using one of the imaging apparatuses. The central managing apparatus determines a fee to be charged to one of the users according to a total counter value of the one of the users. The total counter value is a sum of the counter values of the one of the users notified by the imaging apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for electronically splitting an original billing cycle into at least two billing cycles in an account by electronically changing the debiting timeframe of the original billing cycle and electronically switching on or starting at least one additional billing cycle, as well as a method for electronically replacing an original billing cycle with at least two additional billing cycles in an account by electronically switching off the original billing cycle and electronically switching on at least two additional billing cycles, wherein electronically switching on or starting one or more billing cycles is determined by an end user, and wherein electronic operations of the methods are performed by at least one computer.

Abstract: Multi-step statistical modeling in one embodiment of the present disclosure enables anomaly detection, forecasting and/or root cause analysis of the energy consumption for a portfolio of buildings using multi-step statistical modeling. In one aspect, energy consumption data associated with a building, building characteristic data associated with the building, building operation and activities data associated with the building, and weather data are used to generate a variable based degree model. A base load factor, a heating coefficient and a cooling coefficient associated with the building and an error term are determined from the variable based degree model and used to generate a plurality of multivariate regression models. A time series model is generated for the error term to model seasonal factors which reflect monthly dependence on energy use and an auto-regressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) which reflects temporal dependent patterns of the energy use.

Abstract: A method and network system for obtaining, from a management entity, a bill-by-account service policy applicable to a device group managed at least in part by the management entity, the device group including a plurality of devices including a particular device identified by a particular credential, the bill-by-account service policy comprising classification and accounting policies; identifying wireless access network data traffic associated with the particular device; based on the classification policy, identifying a particular service activity within the wireless access network data traffic, the particular service activity being a bill-by-account service activity; obtaining a record comprising the particular credential and a usage measure indicating a wireless access network usage associated with the particular service activity; and, based on the accounting policy, allocating the usage measure to an account associated with an entity that is financially responsible for usage of the wireless access network a

Abstract: An IMS charging collection function node for processing incoming accounting requests (ACRs) is provided.

Abstract: A user interface for a vehicular-based mobile payment system, the vehicular-based mobile payment system comprising: a merchant system for sending and receiving information; a vehicle detection system connected to the merchant system; a vehicle comprising a mobile payment extension system, wherein the mobile payment extension system is adapted to communicate with the merchant system via the vehicle detection system; and a mobile device for sending and receiving information, wherein the mobile device is adapted to communicate with the mobile payment extension system of the vehicle, where a user communicates with the mobile device via the user interface displayed on the mobile device. Also, a method and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium related to the user interface for the vehicular-based mobile payment system.

Abstract: A computer can receive an alarm event data that results from detection of an event by an alarm system. The alarm event data comprises an identifier for the alarm system. In response to receiving the alarm event data, the computer can access a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system. Based on information maintained in the service subscription account, the computer can determine whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the service subscription account. If a processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, the computer can record the alarm event data and the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice and forward the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for correlating the cost of ordered telecommunications services. The system receives a customer order that includes various services. The services are matched to available solutions for the services. Each solution includes one or more product instances that are used to implement the solution. Each product instance may be matched to a service component. Each service component may be associated with an on-net service or an off-net service. Service components associated with on-net services may be assigned a cost. Service components associated with off-net services may be correlated to an off-net service and an estimated cost.

Abstract: An apparatus determines whether an input image is color or monochrome, obtains the color amount in the input image, performs image processing on the input image, prints the processed input image, and sets a fee for printing the input image based on the obtained color amount.

Abstract: A computing system receives an invoice and matches, based on a country in which a carrier of the shipment is established, a country in which a recipient of the shipment is established, an origin country of the shipment, and a destination country of the shipment, the invoice to a row in a buyer-specified configuration matrix. The computing system determines, based on the identified row in the buyer-specified configuration matrix, whether a buyer or the shipper is responsible for payment of value-added tax (VAT) on the shipment. If the buyer is responsible for payment of the VAT on the shipment, the computing system includes a line item in the invoice that indicates that the buyer is responsible for payment of the VAT on the shipment. The computing system provides the invoice to the buyer.

Abstract: Methods for processing electronic purchase orders and invoices from a single customer and a plurality of vendors may comprise receiving electronic purchase orders from a customer for a plurality of vendors; directing each of said electronic purchase order to a vendor account associated with each vendor; receiving an electronic invoice corresponding to each of said electronic purchase orders; and directing the electronic invoices to the customer account associated with the customer. Computer implemented methods may also allow vendors and customers to simultaneously access all outstanding purchase orders and invoices.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having internal power monitoring and data signal generating apparatus, and a system for utilizing such a circuit breaker in a facility having a plurality of tenants served by branch circuits from a plurality of distribution panels. The circuit breaker radiates signals indicative of power consumption of the branch circuit protected thereby, together with a unique address identifier tied to one tenant. Electrical billings are based on summing all signals for each tenant. Changes to branch circuits during tenancy will not disturb correct billings since individual circuit breakers are associated with that tenant using power supplied by each branch circuit. Hence changes to branch circuits may be limited to modify building space locations served by the modified branch circuit, and need not be further modified to maintain correct billing in light of the circuit changes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing payments in a hierarchical construction project. The system selectively operates in a specified billing mode for a first invoice and for a second invoice that is related to the first invoice. The system receives invoice details from a participant associated with the payee of the invoice when not operating in the specified billing mode and receives the invoice details from a participant not associated with the payee when operating in the specified billing mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for providing an alternative telephony service which automatically switches an originating call between a basic telephony network and an alternative telephony network, and a method of inducing a caller or a receiver to subscribe to a service having a cheaper call rate by notifying the caller or the receiver of an inverse call charge which can be reduced according to whether telephony communication is performed using a basic telephony or an alternative telephony. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically connect the telephony communication using the basic telephony or the alternative telephony according to a telephony communication condition of the receiver, and thus reduce inconvenience due to a direct control of the receiver and first select a telephony communication scheme having a cheap call rate.