Abstract: A storage device procurement system for managing storage failure and full warnings and conditions to minimize a need for storage device inventory. Such a system minimizes a need for storage system administrators to be knowledgeable with procurement options and procedures. Such a system provides for an end-to-end automated storage device procurement system by combining elements of a direct order model with elements of storage array monitoring.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a charge calculating program that causes a computer that manages a database of different data items to execute recording for each data item, information indicating the number of clients that receive the data item; extracting from the information recorded at the recording and for each data item to be received by a given client, information indicating the number of clients receiving the data item; calculating charges for the given client, based on the extracted information; and outputting the calculated charges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for pricing resources. One embodiment of the present invention includes a historical usage database adapted to store historical customer usage and pricing data, and a pricing algorithm module adapted to perform a simulation using the historical customer usage and pricing data to establish resource usage prices and swing option prices that will maintain a profit margin near or equal to a profit margin setting.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for accessing data for a fee are provided. Fee schedules are defined for any arbitrary granularity of data, including for fields and data structures (e.g., tables in a database). Fees may be calculated based on the type of operation to be performed. Fees may also be calculated per operation and/or per data item involved in the operation.

Abstract: Computer systems, methods, and computer program products for tracking content using serial presentation are disclosed. Some embodiments track an aggregated quantity of words displayed by Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSPV) in a digital media item across a plurality of user electronic devices. Some embodiments track what words are displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments track a percentage of words displayed by RSVP across a plurality of user sessions. Some embodiments track trends in the percentage of words displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments use RSVP tracking and trending information to enhance search results. Some embodiments analyze RSVP consumption across a plurality of sessions to determine opportunities for improving content consumption and improving selection of sub-content items. These and other embodiments are further disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an order associated with processing a media file and generating a workflow associated with fulfilling the order. The method may also include identifying tasks associated with the workflow and generating an estimate associated with executing the tasks. The method may further include allocating resources associated with executing the tasks and scheduling execution of the order.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for presenting rates for travel services using dynamic pricing bands. The dynamic pricing bands represent approximate rates for travel services relative to available rates during or close to the proposed dates of travel, or at or near the proposed travel destination. Each dynamic pricing band is keyed to a particular color, intensity, pattern, sound, or other graphical and/or audio characteristic, thereby providing the consumer a sense of the seasonal, regional, day of week, or other variability of rates for travel services without having to compare actual numbers. The dynamic pricing bands are applied to an interactive presentation of rates for travel services to allow the consumer to explore possible rate variations for particular travel services in a manner that provides a birds-eye view, is intuitive and user-friendly.

Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus which is connected to an external apparatus, supports a resource saving mode, and outputs document data is provided. The control method includes: selecting the document data to be output, selecting an output option to be applied to the selected document data, comparing a resource saving value corresponding to the output option to be applied to the document data and a resource saving set value which is pre-set in the image forming apparatus, displaying at least one suggestion option to save resources of the document data according to a result of comparison, and selecting one of the displayed suggestion option and outputting the document data.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards budgeting and forecasting of information technology and services. In at least one of the various embodiments, financial allocation models may include multiple cost objects and one or more allocation rules. In at least one of the various embodiments, allocation rules may determine how costs associated with cost objects may be allocated to other cost objects. In at least one of the various embodiments, costs corresponding to one or more selected cost objects may be traced within a financial allocation model. Also, costs associated with multiple cost line items from different cost objects may simultaneously traced for efficient cross-referencing of disparate cost line items. Further, in at least one of the various embodiments, a display of the cost traces may be rendered and displayed to provide a visualization of the traced costs.

Abstract: A computer system and method for dynamic pricing is described. The system includes at least one dynamic calculator, which performs calculations based upon conditional rules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of managing data includes identifying a plurality of conditions pertaining to a price or a maintenance condition and defining at least one condition selection variant, the condition selection variant representing a plurality of conditions. At least a first key field identifying an item to be associated with at least one of the conditions and is linked to at least a second key field identifying a variable corresponding to the condition. The second key field is displayed to enable data entry by a user to specify the variable corresponding to the price or the maintenance condition pertaining to the item identified in the first key field. The price or the maintenance condition of the item identified in the first key field is determined by processing each condition of the plurality of conditions associated with the condition variant.

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: 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: In order to charge a proper amount of money to the transmitting source and the destination, an MFP accepts transmitting source specifying information for identifying a transmitting user, destination specifying information for specifying a data destination, specifying of the data, and a processing procedure defining processing executed with respect to the specified data. The MFP acquires apparatus identification information for identifying a destination apparatus corresponding to the destination and capacity information defining processing executable by the destination apparatus. The MFP then compares the processing procedure with acquired restriction information. When the processing defined by the capacity information does not include part of the processing defined by the processing procedure, the MFP charges a processing charge for the data in a divided manner to the transmitting user and the destination user.

Abstract: A railcar asset management system proactively issues an alert or task when a pre-determined event occurs. The system may receive information regarding the location and status of a railcar from sensors on the railcar that may include a telematics sensing unit. A database in the railway telematics system stores the data regarding the railcar location and status information. The system determines whether an event has occurred and issues the proactive alerts and/or task. The system may communicate the proactive alert via e-mail, paging, PDAs or by cell phone and may provide interactive preconfigured web pages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for determining a billing structure for outputting documents using an image processing apparatus. If image data of the document includes color pixels, a billing structure is determined based on an estimated total color pixel count. The color pixels of the image data are counted in a device independent space and the total color pixel count of the image data to be output in a device dependent space is estimated. Based on the estimation, a billing structure is chosen. Processing and determining a billing structure based on image data in the device independent space avoids charging a customer for color print job when only a small amount of color pixels are printed. It also encourages determining charges independently of the marking engine or output device.

Abstract: A system and method for using product profiling to maximize load capacity of a vehicle. The method comprises defining product profiles and retrieving product information associated with the product profiles. The method further includes performing cubing operations for products associated with the product information. The system includes components to perform the method steps.

Abstract: A customized method of determining proportional amounts of at least two or more hair treatment solutions in order to color a head of hair of a salon customer uses an algorithm to calculate changes to a formula based on selections made by a user of the system. The formula is managed through a salon operating system provided to a plurality of salon color stylists or users of the system. The algorithm for the reduction or increase of standard color formula is based on predefined application area base color amounts.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for consistent price optimization in multi-modal transportation networks. A corridor is constructed for each origin-destination pair of a transportation network based on one or more parameters. Monotonicity constraints and triangle constraints are generated for each origin-destination pair. An objective function is constructed and convexified using point-price elasticity for consistent price optimization. The one or more parameters and coefficients for a mathematical optimization program are then computed and the mathematical optimization problem is solved for a consistent optimal pricing scheme.

Abstract: Methods of providing print fulfillment for digital images may include saving an image selection property in digital memory, saving a batching property in digital memory, and saving digital images and associated image data in digital memory. A group of the digital images that satisfy the image selection property saved in digital memory may be selected, and it may be determined if the batching property saved in digital memory is satisfied for the group of the digital images having associated image data that satisfy the image selection property. If the batching property is satisfied, a print fulfillment order may be transmitted over a digital network requesting prints of the group of the digital images. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which an award for a commitment from an entity to post information, via a posting site, at or before a subsequent time is offered to an entity. In response to receiving the commitment, the award is provided to the entity.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of contract execution, data about contracts is stored in a computer storage accessible to a processor of a computer along with data about a procurement plan and data about a purchase request that includes information about a first quantity of at least one good or service. The processor determines a second quantity of the one good or service and a second contract against which to complete the purchase request based on the procurement plan, the data about the contracts, at least one purchase made against one of the contracts, a trigger condition and associated effect, and the quantity of at least one good or service. In response to the second contract and the second quantity being approved, the processor causes a purchase order for the second quantity of the one good or service to be placed to the supplier associated with the second contract.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting usage of and determining access to a cloud service according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes the step of monitoring the usage of a service by end users of developers for a predetermined test period. Responsive to statistics associated with the monitoring during the predetermined test period, the method includes determining a future usage payment cost for the developers. Responsive to verification of a unique ID, the method includes performing the service by a service provider.

Abstract: Electronic editor for formulae for calculating the price of a service designed to define the formula in a format directly readable by an electronic costing system designed to establish the price of a service using information on the service consumed contained in consumption variables. The editor includes an electronic calculator capable of defining the calculation formula and storing it in the first storage unit for storing information. The calculator includes an acquisition module having a tree structure formed from nodes, each node being associated with a calculating operation designed to be executed by the costing system to establish the price of the service and defining the order for carrying out the operations by the electronic costing system, and a module for automatically converting the acquired tree structure into a directly readable format by the electronic costing system and storing the converted tree structure in the first storage unit.

Abstract: A method to facilitate data sharing for cloud applications includes determining one or more cost levers for a cloud service provider to share data among applications; determining a costing function that considers a resource cost of creating and maintaining the sharing, potential penalties to be paid if a service level agreement (SLA) is breached by the cloud service provider, and overprovisioning of services from the provider; and interactively answering what-if questions on pricing of services to allow a consumer to explore the cost of data sharing from the provider.

Abstract: A modular system of devices, in which a (master) device can be combined with one or more of other (slave) devices to transform to functional electronic devices having expanded functionalities and features in different form factors and/or platforms. The master device is docked to the slave device via a data/electrical interface, to transform the master device to the larger form factor of the slave device, with the master device maintaining control of the slave device, substantially based on the operating system installed in the master device, with access to the data, application programs, functionalities and features embodied in the master device. An intermediate removable physical interface adaptor (or docking adaptor) is provided to facilitate docking compatibility of the master device to the slave device. An enhanced charging and power management scheme is provided to optimize power management for the master device and the slave device.

Abstract: A system according to certain aspects of the disclosure provides drug pricing information from multiple PBMs to users. For example, the system may obtain, calculate, and/or estimate drug prices that are available under contracts or agreements between PBMs and various pharmacies. These prices may be prices of drugs for purchase at the various pharmacies. In response to requests for prices of particular drugs, the system can display relevant prices. For example, the system displays a price for each pharmacy chain and/or displays prices for a particular geographical area. The users can compare the prices for a particular drug and determine which pharmacy they would like to purchase the drug from. The system can provide a discount coupon that allows the users to purchase the drug at the price listed by the system at the selected pharmacy.

Abstract: Web-based royalty system and user interface is described. In one embodiment, for example, a Web-based royalty system of the present invention is described that comprises: an interface for receiving product information comprising products subject to royalties; an interface for receiving sales data comprising sales records for the products; an interface for receiving royalty terms for the products; a calculation engine for calculating royalties due for the sales data, by matching each sales record with a given product listed in the product information, and determining for each matched product royalties due based on royalty terms applicable to sales of that product; and a statement generator for generating royalty reports of the calculated royalties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processor-implemented method for processing images. The processor receives image data of a color space defined by input provided to a system by a user, determines at least one color attribute of the pixels in the received image correlating to at least perceptual image characteristics, determines statistics using the attribute(s), and analyzes the statistics to classify the image into a category. Based on at least the category, a billing structure for the image is determined. For example, chroma and/or hue of pixels can be used to create histograms, whose data is used to determine a degree of color and/or content of an image, which is categorized. Color space components of received pixels can also be statistically analyzed. Such determinations consider billing based on human perception of use of color. Billing for color images in this manner satisfies the user and increases use of color output (e.g., printing).

Abstract: A system and method for providing private demand-driven pricing for fixed cost digital goods are described. Symmetric private information retrieval is engaged on a table that includes public key encryptions of prices for digital goods stored in a database by a seller system, wherein a desired marginal pricing level has not been realized. The price of one digital good is decrypted with a private key for pricing by a purchaser system. A purchasing decision based upon the decrypted price is sent to the seller system without revealing the particular digital good being purchased. A conditionally disclosed symmetric key for goods is received under which the digital goods in the database have been encrypted. Symmetric private information retrieval is engaged on the database and the digital good purchased with the symmetric key is decrypted. The encrypted prices of the digital goods are privately updated based upon the desired marginal pricing level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energy optimization may receive receiving energy provider data, near-real time individualized energy usage data for each of a plurality of end-uses or near-real time individualized whole premise energy usage data, customer preferences, and near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may forecast, for a selected time period, individualized energy usage for each of the plurality of end-uses or individualized whole premise energy usage data for a customer location using: (1) the energy provider data, (2) the near-real time individualized energy usage data, (3) the customer preferences, and (4) the near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may optimize, for the selected time period, energy usage at the customer location using (1) the individualized energy usage, (2) the energy provider data, and (3) the customer preferences.

Abstract: A method for optical network signaling processing of a signal from a first node to an end node through intermediate nodes is presented. The method comprises determining, in a first pass from the first node to the end node, available wavelengths and wavelength conversion at each node, the end node optimizing wavelengths using the available wavelengths and wavelength conversions, at each node, dropping a cross-connect command, in a second pass from the end node to the first node, choosing wavelengths for connection based on the optimizing step, in a third pass from the first node to the end node, receiving at each node a signal message and releasing unused cross-connect commands, the end node identifying the chosen wavelengths and releasing the unused resources, and transmitting the signal on the chosen wavelengths. Restoration paths can also be determined. Optimizing can include selecting and marking one or more backup wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for utilizing excess printing capacity. The present invention utilizes a printing network that consists of a printing service provider, one or more print jobs, a printing distribution system, and printing partners. The printing service provider uses a printing distribution system to distribute standardized print jobs to printing partners at a fixed price.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for data storage. A hierarchical storage management architecture is presented to facilitate data management. The disclosed system provides methods for evaluating the state of stored data relative to enterprise needs by using weighted parameters that may be user defined. Also disclosed are systems and methods evaluating costing and risk management associated with stored data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: To disaggregate a single combined price of a bundled product, a computer receives a price data set comprised of component parts that correspond to the component parts of the bundled product. At least one component part differs in accordance with at least one parameter value of another component part. A price for a component part is calculated by obtaining metric data that includes one or more market reference prices responsive to the component part. Using the metric data, a market value is computed for each component part and the computed market values are summed to compute a market value total. A proportional value for at least one component part is generated by dividing the market value of the component part by the market value total. A price for the component part is calculated by multiplying the price data set's single combined price by the component part's proportional value.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a present value of a set point for at least one piece of equipment with a remote monitor in communication with a controller that controls the at least one piece of equipment according to the set point. The method also includes determining a first power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The first power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at the present value of the set point. The method also includes determining a second power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The second power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at a predetermined benchmark value of the set point.

Abstract: An input unit (31) inputs a normative first parameter that serves to determine a gross profit rate of a product, and a second parameter relating to a cost of a product. A gross profit rate determination unit (33) references a gross profit rate table to determine a gross profit rate corresponding to an inputted first parameter as the gross profit rate of the pertinent product. A sales price computation unit (34) computes a normative sales price of a product based on an inputted second parameter and a determined gross profit rate of the pertinent product. A sales price database (23) stores standard sales price data showing a normative sales price of a computed product. A display processing unit (35) displays a normative sales price of a product shown by standard sales price data stored in the sales price database.

Abstract: A smart server and smart device are disclosed, by which a new power unit price (hereinafter named a combined power unit price) can be calculated in consideration of an internally generated electricity quantity instead of using an external power unit price as it is. The present invention includes a power demand obtaining unit obtaining a home power demand for at least one electronic appliance including a smart device, a generated quantity detecting unit detecting an internally generated power quantity for at least one home generator, a price information receiving unit receiving power information including external power price information on an external power via a network, and a combined unit price output unit outputting a combined power unit price using an external power demand and the internally generated power quantity and the external power price information, wherein the external power demand is calculated based on the power demand.

Abstract: A method includes determining a food product price multiplier for a food product identified for purchase by an individual based on a health status for the individual and a product health value for the food product and generating an electronic signal indicative thereof. A system includes a multiplier determiner (116) that determines a food product price multiplier for a food product identified for purchase by an individual based on a health status for the individual and a product health value for the food product and generates an electronic signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining maintenance sections of a rail includes partitioning the rail into a plurality of sections based on railway topographical information and track defect information; identifying, from the plurality of sections, sections whose sectional speed limits are lower than a recommended running speed; and determining, from the identified sections, sections which need maintenance.

Abstract: A text-based communication service executes a collaborative data security protocol and/or pricing of services based at least in part on a user-specified privacy policy. The user-specified privacy policy may dictate, for example, a manner of filtering or encryption of user text and may be implemented in text-based communication services including, without limitation, webmail, social networking, web search and Instant Messaging services.

Abstract: A method of pricing energy includes determining a price for supplying energy to a consumer over a future term based on at least a forecasted cost of energy and a forecasted energy usage of the consumer. The method further includes automatically determining an updated price for supplying energy based on at least the forecasted energy usage of the consumer used in initially determining the price. The method further includes outputting the updated price for supplying energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coordinating and managing renting of items among multiple parties. Participants of the system interact with others at a central server connected via a communications network. According to an embodiment, each participant plays a role of a potential lender, a potential renter, or both. As the items of a participant get rented more, the system rewards him so that he is able to rent more himself. In a certain embodiment, a point value system is used. The server computer maintains all required information as to which items are currently for rent (e.g., offers) and which items are currently being requested (e.g., bids), as well as all data pertinent to rentable items and participants. A rental transaction occurs when a certain preset criterion is met, and point values are adjusted at the beginning, at the end and/or in the middle of the rental period.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for evaluating models using forecast error attribution are presented. According to one or more aspects, one or more input values corresponding to one or more input variables may be forecast. One or more results of a modeling function may be calculated using the one or more forecasted input values. Thereafter, actual performance data corresponding to the modeling function may be received. One or more holdout values for the modeling function may be calculated using the actual performance data. Subsequently, a graph that includes the one or more results of the modeling function, the actual performance data, and the one or more holdout values for the modeling function may be plotted. In some arrangements, the one or more holdout values for the modeling function may be indicative of one or more assumption errors made with respect to the one or more forecasted input values.

Abstract: The pricing of a product is programmatically defined as a solution to a price optimization equation that includes an in-date constraint and an out-date constraint. The in-date constraint may require that the price established by the price optimization equation be predicted not to exhaust an inventory of the product during a first time interval. The out-date constraint may require that the same price established by the price optimization equation be predicted to exhaust an inventory of the product by the end of a second time interval.

Abstract: Methods that facilitate automatic selection of service bearers in a mobile based on user-initiated policies and service-provider-initiated policies set forth in a policy document are described herein. The mobile device initially receives a policy document from either the mobile device manufacturer or the service provider before the mobile device is provisioned on a communications network. The mobile device user and the service provider may make subsequent changes to the policy document. When a user-initiated policy change conflicts with a service-provider-initiated policy, the user-initiated policy change is disregarded in favor of the service-provider-initiated policy. The mobile device automatically selects an appropriate bearer based at least on the availability of service bearers in the current environment and the policies set forth in the policy document.