Abstract: Some embodiments provide multi-tenant billing systems and methods whereby data network usage fees that are associated with delivering select content of different content providers over a data network are passed to the content provider that originates or is the source for that select content instead of the end users that request and receive the select content. A deep packet inspection server or a billing server may be configured with a list of identifiers to distinguish between the network usage that is related to the delivery of the designated free content from the network usage that is not related to the delivery of the designated free content. The network usage can be distinguished by filtering or processing usage logs that track the network usage using the configured list of identifiers. Such filtering or processing can be done in real-time or in a delayed manner in a standalone or integrated system.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus implement graphical user interfaces for interactively specifying service level agreements used to regulate delivery of services to, for example, computer systems. An interactive graphical user interface allows a user to see the effects of varying values of service delivery variables on the level of service achievable in a particular service delivery context. In a second aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention provision resources required for service delivery. In the second aspect, the methods and apparatus of the present invention select a service delivery model dependent on context. The selected service delivery model is used to provision resources that will be required during service delivery. In a third aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention monitor compliance with a service level agreement during a service delivery event.

Abstract: A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining status information about one or more physical attributes associated with one or more first physical entities and one or more second physical entities, the one or more physical attributes each being perceived by one or more humans as being capable of having one or more effects upon one or more physical environments, obtaining input information from at least one of the one or more humans through at least in part one or more social networking services, the input information associated with at least one of the one or more physical attributes, and determining assessment information comparing the one or more first physical entities with the one or more second physical entities based at least in part upon the status information and based at least in part upon the input information. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Technology is described for flexibly pricing cloud computing services. In some examples, the technology may receive at a cloud service provider a first set of information from an Internet service provider that provides an Internet service. The first set of information may relate to expected user behavior of a representative user of the Internet service provider. The technology may identify one or more computing resources employed by the Internet service provided by the Internet service provider and analyze the first set of information to determine a cycle. The cycle is a function of the computing resources expected to be employed by the representative user of the Internet service provider. The technology may compute a service fee for each instance of the cycle and allocates the service fee to the Internet service provider.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for long duration sessions. A charging data system of the communication network receives interim accounting request messages from a network element that is serving a session. The charging data system identifies interim timestamps for the interim accounting request messages, and stores the interim timestamps. After a time period during the long duration session, the charging data system generates a partial CDR. The charging data system then inserts duration information for the long duration session in the partial CDR based on the stored interim timestamps, and transmits the partial CDR to a correlation system. The correlation system may then calculate a total duration for the session based on the duration information in the partial CDR. Even if a start/stop timestamp is not available, the correlation system may estimate the total duration of the session based on the interim timestamps.

Abstract: Briefly, embodiments of a method of classifying a bill are disclosed.

Abstract: Described embodiments relate to authorizing an electric vehicle to perform an electric charging operation. A server may receive an electric charging request message from user equipment associated with an electric vehicle, determine whether an electric vehicle is located near to an electric outlet within a predetermined distance based on information included in the electric charging request message in response to the electric charging request message, and transmit one of an electric charging approval message and an electric charging disapproval message to the electric vehicle based on the determination result.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product/energy source, such as electrical power, to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures, which characterize access to the consumable product by particular users. In doing so, costs for the product may be more accurately divided between different tenants of the facility without having to install individual services or measurement equipment for each individual tenant. Operating conditions and facility characteristics, such as temperatures, load factors, insulation factors, etc., may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product.

Abstract: Joint pricing and replenishment of freshness inventory or products having different qualities determines the joint pricing and inventory strategies to optimize the retailer's benefits from product freshness, employing a dynamic programming formulation that incorporates a demand model that captures consumer choice based on both the freshness and price.

Abstract: The embodiments herein focus on improving recognition accuracy of these fields on credit card bills by detecting and identifying critical fields on a credit card, extracting the data from the critical fields and comparing the data with known data on a payor, payee and biller.

Abstract: Apparatus for coordinating a rule-based relationship between a bank, a vendor and a merchant is provided. The apparatus may include a first receiver configured to receive an employee identification number input into a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The apparatus may additionally include the first receiver being configured to receive a billing account number input into the GUI. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to determine if the billing account number includes a number of consecutive, identical digits. The processor may further be configured to determine if the number of consecutive, identical digits is equal to or greater than a threshold number of consecutive, identical digits.

Abstract: Tracking technology, in which document information for at least one document received for processing by a document processing system is obtained. The document processing system is configured to process the at least one document in stages that are performed by at least two different applications operated by at least two separate hardware systems. Status updates indicative of processing of the at least one document in each of the stages are obtained. A progress of the processing of the at least one document in each of the stages based on the status updates is tracked. The at least one document meets one or more pre-defined processing requirements related to the processing are evaluated. Information about the stages of the processing of the at least one document based on the tracked progress and the evaluation is reported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating and pricing virtual resources is provided. According to one aspect, pricing information is obtained for a plurality of virtual resources offered by a plurality of providers. A set of selected virtual resources is determined for a first customer. An expected quantity is determined for at least one virtual resource for the first customer. A fixed charge is determined based on the pricing information, the set of selected virtual resources and at least one expected quantity. At least one unit rate is determined for at least one virtual resource based on the pricing information. The first customer is provided access to the set of selected virtual resources during a billing period, wherein the fixed charge is billed for the billing period. An overflow charge, if any, is determined the at least one unit rate and an actual usage during the billing period.

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: Techniques are disclosed for compensating an LED light fixture/light source provider for generation of photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer. In one example, a method comprises receiving a monetary amount as compensation for photons generated by the LED light fixtures/light sources, maintaining a contractual relationship with the customer in exchange for the monetary amount, the contractual relationship including a requirement that the provider pay an electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources, determining, with a meter associated with each respective LED light fixture/light source, the amount of electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources used by the customer over a period of time, and in response to the determination and on behalf of the customer, submitting payment to the customer's electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources used by the customer.

Abstract: A method and system of distributing costs in a transportation management system is provided. A charge element for a cost to be applied to a transportation invoice is received, wherein the charge element identifies a charge amount. Then, for each distribution item, a distribution element corresponding to the distribution item is created in response to a determination that the charge element is applicable to the distribution item, wherein each distribution item corresponds to an item transported in a shipment associated with the transportation invoice. A quantity type identified in a distribution rule for the charge element is determined. Then quantities of the quantity type are obtained for each distribution element. These quantities are summed into an aggregate quantity. Then, for each distribution element, a cost for the charge element equal to a quantity of the distribution element divided by the aggregate quantity multiplied by the charge amount is allocated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed innovations provide systems and methods for automatically locating and retrieving digital supplemental materials and counterparts of rendered documents. These systems and methods are especially useful when the provider or copyright holder of the digital document charges a fee for access to the digital materials. Some embodiments solve the technical problem of allowing a user to access restricted digital content associated with a rendered document via a search string captured from the rendered document. Some embodiments further provide automatic intermediation to gain access to protected digital materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for presenting a written work. A character identity is recognized within a written work. Presentation information for the written work, such as a graphical scheme or an electronic voice, is determined based on the character identity. The presentation information is provided to a user computing device. The user computing device renders the written work or a portion thereof using the presentation information.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a common billing identifier for a user session in a communication network is presented. In the method, an authentication node of the communication network receives a first authentication request associated with a user session. In response to the first authentication request, a billing identifier associated with the user session is transferred from the authentication node to a source of the first authentication request. A second authentication request associated with the same user session is received at the authentication node. In response to the second authentication request, the same billing identifier is transferred from the authentication node to a source of the second authentication request.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining a common billing identifier for a user session in a communication network. In the method, an authentication request associated with a user session is transferred from an access node of the communication network to an authentication node of the network. The access node receives an authentication acknowledgment transferred from the authentication node in response to the request. In response to the acknowledgment, a billing identifier associated with the user session is generated at the access node. The billing identifier is transferred from the access node to an application node of the communication network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for displaying a plurality of bill due dates, the method comprising: displaying an account identifier for each bill in the plurality of bills; showing a timeline with a due date indicator for each bill in the plurality of bills, the timeline disposed proximate to the account identifier; and wherein each of the account identifiers and timelines are disposed along an axis relative to the other account identifiers and timelines

Abstract: A cost management system includes one or more computers. At least one computer includes an obtainment part configured to obtain usage information of a device; a first storage part configured to store identification information having the usage information associated therewith; a determination part configured to determine a billing destination associated with a cost relating to the usage information based on the identification information having the usage information associated therewith, stored in the first storage part; a generation part configured to generate billing information associated with the cost to the billing destination; and an output part configured to output the billing information.

Abstract: An information processing system that performs data processing based on trade information includes a trade information acquiring part which acquires the trade information; a rule information storing part which stores first rule information applied to trade amounts contained in the trade information and second rule information applied to invoice data that are produced based on the first rule information; and a workflow control part which controls the invoice data that are produced based on the first rule information so that the invoice data are stored based on the second information.

Abstract: A method and device for charging a battery is provided. A charging device transmits a charging initiation request including the meter identifier and a charging identifier to a server, and receives a charging initiation response in response to the charging initiation request from the server. The charging device transmits a charging completion message indicating power consumed for the charging to the server upon completion of the charging, and receives charging information indicating billing information according to the charging of the battery from the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for packet core networks. One embodiment comprises a PCC architecture that includes an online charging system (OCS). The OCS receives a request for charging rules for an initial data service from a PCRF. The request from the PCRF includes a service indicator for the initial data service. The OCS selects a charging method for the initial data service based on the service indicator, and transmits a response to the PCRF that includes the selected charging method. The PCRF may then make a PCC decision based on the charging method selected by the OCS, and a PCEF may enforce PCC rules for the initial data service. If there is a service changing during a data session, the OCS selects a charging method for the new data service, and the PCRF updates the PCC rules accordingly.

Abstract: A system for coordinating the submission and processing of a bill according to predictive payment data of a plan. The system comprises a provider interface and an integrated database for receiving a predictive payment plan submitted from the provider interface. The system also has a predictive payment request of the plan storable in the database, the request including a plurality of predictive payment parameters. An adjudication engine is coupled to the integrated database, and an insertion function is used for inserting the predictive payment parameters, when stored in the database, into an adjudication rule set of the adjudication engine. The adjudication rule set is used for eventual adjudication of the predictive payment data, wherein adjudication of the predictive payment data results in the generation of the bill.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an accounting system includes a charging device configured to charge a battery, an EMS server configured to be communicable with the charging device and a vehicle, accounting management module for executing authentication between user information in a user information database, which stores the user information including a user ID and a billing destination, and information which is received, and an AMI configured to connect the accounting management module and the EMS server. The EMS server is configured to receive the user ID and a charging power amount from the charging device, to transmit them to the accounting management module, and to transmit the user ID and a used power amount by the charging to the accounting management module.

Abstract: Transaction processing for distributor-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of aspects of a transaction between contracting parties using transaction rules associated with an administrator and at least one distributor sponsoring the transaction. In some applications, the administrator finances the transaction. Fees are assessed as a function of the transaction processing on behalf of the administrator and, in come instances, the distributor.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems and/or computer readable mediums are provided. According to some embodiments, a method includes generating at least one shipment request data object based at least in part on at least one outbound delivery data object; generating at least one freight unit data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment request data object; generating at least one shipment data object based at least in part on the at least one freight unit data object; generating at least one invoice data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment data object; and generating at least one customs export document based at least in part on the at least one invoice.

Abstract: A disclosed fee management system is for managing attending fees that are charged when transmission terminals attend a conversation in a transmission management system, which manages transmission of information associated with the conversation between the transmission terminals.

Abstract: A minimum amount is updated if a resource is consumed by the device before a corresponding timestamp. A maximum amount is updated only if a current timestamp is after the corresponding timestamp.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for usage billing of one or more hosted applications serving one or more clients. The hosted applications are contained within one or more isolated environments or run without isolated environments. The system may include usage billing based on one or more of resources open, amount of data flowing through resources, number of open files, number of transactions, number of concurrent users, number of processes, CPU utilization and memory usage, The system may further include a management interface where administrators may add, remove and configure isolated environments, configure client policies and credentials, and force upgrades. If using isolated environments, the isolated environments may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system on the clients and applications within the isolated environments may run without performing an application-installation on the client.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for telecommunication expense management are provided. A distributed platform including a user support site, multiple user databases and customized user applications is provided to enable organizations to better manage their telecommunication services and expenses. In an embodiment, a method for electronically processing telecommunication invoices includes importing the telecommunication invoices, extracting elements from the imported invoices and performing reasonability tests on the imported invoices. The reasonability test includes conducting an automated comparison against established criteria that may be customized by users. The method includes generating one or more interactive reports that enable an organization to effectively manage its telecommunication services.

Abstract: A system receives an order for a shipment of goods, and extracts data from the order for use in creating a bill for the shipment. The system creates a settlement basis map using the data extracted from the order and an agreement between the producer of the goods and a logistics service provider. Settlement bases for the bill are then determined. The settlement bases include an order basis and/or an execution basis. The system prepares billable data for the bill based on the settlement bases. The system updates the order by discarding the stages of the order that are to be billed based on the execution basis. The system then formulates the execution data, consolidates any remaining order data and the execution data, and creates the bill for the shipment based on the settlement bases, the order data, and the execution data.

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: Value based licensing/billing methods and system for security software is provided, which use an effective vulnerability protection measure provided by a new or updated IPS filter deployed on host computer to determine the licensing/billing fee of the new or updated IPS filter over a billing period. The effective vulnerability protection measure is determined based on vulnerability and host attributes, and, in the embodiment of the invention, is based on a vulnerability time gap or time protected of the host computer.

Abstract: Providing human review of an image stream for a parking camera system is disclosed. Initially, a first image stream is received from a first camera having a first field of view showing a first vehicle or at least one destination location. Next, it is determined that a value for the at least one type of information relating to the at least one destination location or the first vehicle has failed to be automatically detected. In response, an exemption event is generated. Presentation of the at least part of the first image stream to a human operator is then enabled. Finally, the value for the at least one type of information relating to the at least one destination location or the first vehicle is received from the human operator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to an electronic cargo payment system and methods for electronically and automatically processing electronic payments for goods shipped by carriers for shippers. In embodiments, the accounts receivable system of the carrier transfers one or more invoices to a central payment system. The central payment system stores and organizes the invoices. A shipper communicates with the central payment system to view invoices related to that shipper. Upon approval of the invoice, the central payment system can automatically pay the invoice for the shipper and to the carrier.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and computer readable storage medium of sharing information between a plurality of users participating in a social networking service is disclosed. Each of the plurality of users has a computer embedded object. The method, system and storage medium comprising receiving information relating to the computer embedded object of a first user of the plurality of users and sending the information of the computer embedded object to a second user for display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active.

Abstract: An environmental control and monitoring method is provided. An electronic communication including a selection of a climate control operational mode to modify an environment within a particular designated area is received from one of a plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices via a network, wherein each of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices include one or more climate control subsystems for modifying an environment within a designated area. The selection of the climate control operational mode is associated with a climate control parameter and the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices. An operation of a particular climate control subsystem of the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices is initiated to modify the environment within the particular designated area based on the climate control parameter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for usage billing of one or more hosted applications serving one or more clients. The hosted applications are contained within one or more isolated environments or run without isolated environments. The system may include usage billing based on one or more of resources open, amount of data flowing through resources, number of open files, number of transactions, number of concurrent users, number of processes, CPU utilization and memory usage, The system may further include a management interface where administrators may add, remove and configure isolated environments, configure client policies and credentials, and force upgrades. If using isolated environments, the isolated environments may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system on the clients and applications within the isolated environments may run without performing an application-installation on the client.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a method implementable on a computing device for modifying color characteristics of an image. The method includes identifying one or more regions in the image based on a luminance value associated with one or more pixels in the image. Each region comprises a first set of pixels having a predefined range of luminance values. The first set of pixels is categorized in a first set of predefined color categories corresponding to the each region based, at least in part, on a chroma value associated with each pixel in the first set of pixels. Each predefined color category in the first set of predefined color categories comprises a second set of pixels. The color characteristics of the second set of pixels are modified based on a region and a predefined color category associated with the second set of pixels.

Abstract: A method for pricing data recovery for a sequence of time periods based on an estimate of the amount of data that will be recovered. For the first period, the price is the backup capacity times a price rate times an assumed recovery rate, which is a pre-determined number. For subsequent periods, the price is the backup capacity times the price rate times the actual amount of data recovered in the prior time period. The method also includes a data backup and recovery method using the data recovery pricing method, which provides tracker software to measure the amount of data recovered.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating payment due notifications are provided. A payor and a payee of the payor may be identified by a payment service provider system. At least one notification control parameter associated with communicating payment due notifications to the payor may be identified. Based at least in part upon evaluating a payment history associated with one or more payments made to the payee on behalf of the payor, a payment frequency pattern may be determined. Based at least in part on a portion of the payment history and the determined payment frequency pattern, a next expected payment date may be calculated. In accordance with the at least one notification control parameter, a payment due notification including an identity of the payee and the next expected payment date may be generated. The payment due notification may be transmitted to the payor.

Abstract: Techniques for performing an accounts payable process may include receiving transaction data including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verifying a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional criteria to the transaction data. An accounts payable system may include a host system in communication with one or more client systems. The host system may include a matching database configured to receive an accounts payable file including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verify a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional records to attributes of the accounts payable file.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. These perform the following: accessing records of previous usage within a billing period of service units for customers, wherein the service units are discrete sizes of services for resource types, wherein each usage of an individual one of the service units has start and stop events, and wherein each resource type has a price fixed as of a date of the previous usage; dividing the billing period into time periods determined using the start and stop events for the usage of all of the service units; using the accessed records and the time periods and based on one or more criteria, assigning resource types to the previous usage in the time periods of the service units by the customers; and determining total charge for a selected customer based on the assignments of the resource types and corresponding prices for the selected customer.

Abstract: A system and method for postage payment utilizes passive RFID tags as postage “stamps”, with the amount of the postage automatically billed to a previously-established customer account. The tags are stored in a separate stamp database and are “enabled” by linking the individual tag to a customer account. The use of the RFID stamps eliminates the need for the customer to know the proper postage beforehand. The existence of a customer account with a proper return address reduces the likelihood of a dead letter. Also, a special category of stamps may be used for automatic reply mail. By virtue of using an RFID tag, the mailed item's progress through the postal delivery system may be tracked from dispatch to delivery.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for enabling dynamic pricing of services to users. The amount of usage all or different services are quantized into quanta of minimum usage units, such as to an amount of effective bits (eBits) in communications services. The amount of usage of the different services is weighted differently, such as according to service cost or demand, to obtain corresponding amount of quanta of usage or eBits for each service. The amount of quanta of usage or eBits for the different services is summed up to provide a total amount of quanta of usage or eBits. The total amount of quanta of usage or eBits is converted into a total charge, as a product of the total amount of quanta of usage or eBits, or a monotonic function of the total amount, and a fixed charge rate per quanta of usage or eBit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for determining a billing structure for outputting documents. The method determines if pixels of image data of a document in device independent space are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (e.g., color), and, based on at least the determined neutral pixels in device independent space, determines a billable pixel count of color pixels in the image data. In one example, the determined billable pixel count of color pixels is based on at least both an estimated color count in device independent space and a determined pixel count in device dependent space. In another, pixels are tagged based on the neutral and/or non-neutral determination in device independent space, and, if the tag indicates that a selected pixel is color in device dependent space, the selected pixel is counted for the billable pixel count.