Abstract: Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of use of functional objects by a client.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, transaction data retrieval from a postage vendor system database may be facilitated (e.g., via label generation with multiple barcode representations of a portion of a postage tracking identifier, where the tracking identifier is generated based on a carrier-specific tracking identifier unique within a carrier system with respect to accounts recognized by the carrier system). In some embodiments, the tracking identifier may be generated such that (i) the tracking identifier comprises the carrier-specific tracking identifier and (ii) enables a mail piece associated with a postage transaction to be tracked within the carrier system, and the tracking identifier portion is allocated to the postage transaction in one or more databases of the vendor system. An indicium identifier may be generated to comprise the tracking identifier portion, thereby enabling the vendor system to identify the postage transaction using one of the two identifiers without the other one of the identifiers.

Abstract: A memory device includes an address generator which generates a first physical address and a second physical address different from the first physical address. A first nonvolatile memory includes the first physical address, and a second nonvolatile memory includes the second physical address. An attack detecting circuit detects whether the first and second nonvolatile memories are attacked. The attack detecting circuit receives first data from the first nonvolatile memory and receives second data from the second nonvolatile memory, compares the first data and the second data with each other, and determines whether the first and second nonvolatile memories are attacked on the basis of a comparison result of the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A printer may include a memory configured to store remaining amount-related information related to a remaining amount of color material in a single-purpose color material cartridge mounted on the printer. The printer may send first printer information to a server in a case where the single-purpose color material cartridge is mounted on the printer, and send second printer information to the server in a case where the general-purpose color material cartridge is mounted on the printer. The server may determine whether, regardless of which of the first printer information and the second printer information has been received from the printer, the remaining amount-related information included in the received first printer information or the received second printer information satisfies a predetermined condition, and execute a shipping process for shipping a new single-purpose color material cartridge in a case where the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A server may receive remaining amount information related to a remaining amount of color material in a first color material cartridge from a printer on which the first color material cartridge is mounted, and send specific information to an external device in a case where the remaining amount of the color material in the first color material cartridge indicated by the remaining amount information is equal to or less than a first remaining amount threshold. The specific information is for changing a state of the printer from a state in which the printing process by using a second color material cartridge to be mounted is restricted to a state in which the printing process by using the second color material cartridge is permitted.

Abstract: A system, referred to as a reading system, used in an automated metering management system in the context of a fluid-distribution service comprising a plurality of fluid meters is disclosed. The first communication module in accordance with a wireless communication standard is used by each fluid meter and a second communication module suitable for communicating by powerline with a data concentrator via a first network, said data concentrator communicating with a management entity of the automated metering management system via a second network. Instancing an application emulating a virtual fluid meter able to communicate directly with the data concentrator for each fluid meter in the plurality, and, for each fluid meter in the plurality, the corresponding virtual fluid meter takes responsibility for retransmitting information representing a fluid-consumption reading, said information having been supplied to the reading system by said fluid meter to the management entity via the data concentrator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a vehicle tracking system for real-time, dynamic and adaptive an artificial-intelligence based cost negotiation for transportation services. The system trains the artificial-intelligence based system to negotiate with one or more users for transportation services. In addition, the system obtains a first set of data from the one or more users. Further, the system prepares a first cost quotation for one or more transport vehicles. Furthermore, the system sends the first cost quotation to the one or more users. Moreover, the system receives a response from the one or more users for negotiating on cost. Also, the system analyses the response from the one or more users. Also, the system continuously interacts with the one or more users for the cost negotiation. Also, the system sends a final cost quotation to the one or more users.

Abstract: An approach is provided for tracking and managing physical mail items using image recognition. An image is captured of a mail item and may include any information on the mail item, such as sender information, recipient information, a postmark, a cancellation, as well as artifacts of the mail item, such as seams, markings, coloration, texture, damage, etc. A unique value is generated for the image, for example, by processing the image data for the image using one or more hash functions to generate a hash value. The hash value uniquely identifies the mail item based upon the information included in the image, such as the sender and recipient information, postmark, cancellation, artifacts, etc., and is used to track and manage the mail item.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for optimizing delivery modes used to transport items to a customer. A delivery optimization system includes an online ordering system, a delivery mode optimizer, an order allocator, a cartonization engine, and a ship label and manifest generator. The delivery mode optimizer selects an optimal shipping mode based on information received from carriers. The lowest cost option to deliver the goods to the destination by a promised delivery date is selected at the time the order is received. A shipping node is selected that can supply the items needed to fulfill the order within the desired timeframe. Cartons are selected to package the items in the order in the most cost effective manner. The delivery mode is reevaluated after the order is prepared for shipment to determine if available shipping options have changed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to countermeasures against hardware side-channel attacks on cryptographic operations. An embodiment of an apparatus includes multiple crypto cores; and a current source including multiple current source blocks, the current source blocks including a respective current source block associated with each of the crypto cores, and wherein the current sources blocks are switchable to switch on a current source block associated with each active core of the multiple crypto cores and to switch off a current source associated with each inactive core of the multiple cryptographic cores.

Abstract: Intelligent tools are provided to enable a mailcenter in a campus to provide mail service to mail service customers and perform processing of mail, in an automated manner as much as possible. Such processing may be performed include scanning and obtaining mail information from a mailpiece, and then sending such mail information to the mail service customer (as specified addressee of the mailpiece) by electronic notification via a corresponding electronic address.

Abstract: A system and method implemented in an e-commerce system to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The method includes generating the requested at least one QR code and token, wherein the at least one QR code and token includes at least an email field, transmitting the at least one QR code and token, receiving a response email, wherein the response email includes the token, decoding, the token, performing a validation, and processing the transaction, on a condition that the validation(s) are approved.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a shipping interface within a user interface are shown. A shipping interface of embodiments is provided within a open architecture or multiple application user interface, such as a browser user interface. A user may be enabled to use a same shipping account with respect to any number of applications or functions. Moreover, a user may be enabled to select a shipping provider of preference, even where the underlying application or function does not support the selected shipping provider or any shipping functions. Embodiments provide comparison of various shipping providers to a user for selection. Embodiments comprise a browser plug-in operable to provide a shipping interface, such a by inserting one or more shipping buttons within a page displayed by the browser, within a popup window, within a frame along the main browser window, within a browser menu bar, tool tray, etcetera.

Abstract: A method includes distributing a number of printer devices across a computer network with corresponding logistical nodes associated therewith, and, through a server, dynamically extracting, from a number of digital pre-print mail files related to physical mailing items, metadata related thereto and mailing constraints based on scanning the number of digital pre-print mail files, and classifying the number of digital pre-print mail files into groups based on an extent to which the dynamically extracted metadata is shared between constituents thereof. The method also includes, through the server, matching each classified group to a logistical node based on the dynamically extracted metadata shared between the constituents thereof and dynamically tracked printer characteristics, and commingling the extracted metadata within the each classified group into a master document in which the extracted metadata is laid out to enable printing thereof through a printer device associated with the matched logistical node.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with examples may include an identity verification kiosk. The identity verification kiosk may include a display comprising a user interface; a card reader; a document scanner; a printer; and a processor in data communication with a server and a database storing user information. The processor may be configured to receive an identification verification request from the user interface; receive user information via the document scanner or the card reader; retrieve user information from the database; verify the identity of a user; and print a unique identifier on a document using the printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for loading data from a database into a task database, via a stage database. One exemplary method includes accessing a backup database where the backup database includes multiple flat files and where each of the multiple flat files includes data and having a filename. The method also includes appending, by a computing device, the filename of one of the multiple flat files to an index stored in the computing device and changing a global variable associated with a data loader for the one of the multiple flat files to the filename. The method then further includes loading the data from the one of the multiple flat files into a stage database in memory of the computing device and transferring the loaded data in the stage database to a task database, thereby making the data available to queries associated with tasks relying on the loaded data.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of use of the use of functional objects by a client.

Abstract: A task management method and system, and a computer storage medium include: monitoring the operation of background tasks; determining the allowed operation time of a specific background task in a unit time, the sum of the operation times allowed for all the specific background tasks within the unit time being less than or equal to a preset time threshold; and the respective specific background tasks are brought into a waiting state when the specific background tasks are outside of the corresponding operation period within the unit time.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for detecting and mitigating a spoof communication within a network, such as a Session Internet Protocol (SIP) network. Determination and mitigation of spoof communication may be performed by a spoof mitigation module associated with a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN). A server, such as a SIP server, may receive a call request (i.e. SIP INVITE message) from an originating device to initiate a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication with a recipient device. In response to the originating device being associated with a HPLMN subscriber account, the server may determine an origin network of the SIP INVITE message and compare the origin network with a most recent instance of registration data associated with the originating device and recorded within the HPLMN. A match indicates that the call request is likely reliable. A mismatch may indicate that the call request is likely a spoof communication.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which identify fraudulent situations during the transaction phase. In one embodiment, such detection is accomplished by monitoring for situations either outside the range of normal for the general population or outside the range of normal for this particular user. The normal range could be rule driven and, for example, could include size of a given purchase, frequency of purchases, identity the equipment being utilized for the current transaction, etc. The rule could be relaxed or tightened, at least in part, based on the length of time that the user has been a customer and the user's past payment history. In one embodiment, device ids are used to detect fraudulent users. These device (or software) ids could, for example, be a “fingerprint” of the user's equipment, or a “cookie” previously downloaded to the user that identifies the user to the fulfillment system. In situations where fraud is detected downloading the value to the user is interrupted.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow only a single PSD to be used for a customer regardless of the number of servers in the system are provided. This is accomplished by allowing each server to communicate with the other servers in the system, such that each server can determine which customer PSDs are coupled to each of the other servers. As requests are routed to a first server by the load balancer, if the first server does not have the specific customer's PSD installed, it can determine which server has that customer's PSD and forward the request to that second server. Once the request has been processed by the second server, the response is sent back to the first server that received the request for return to the customer.

Abstract: A method for storing information within a utility meter that includes storing a data stream comprising a plurality of data values regarding a metered quantity delivered to a load corresponding to a plurality of time periods, wherein the plurality of data values are stored sequentially based on their corresponding time periods. The method also includes responsive to a power outage, inserting into the data stream a time stamp corresponding to a time period in the plurality of time periods in which the power outage occurred.

Abstract: Embodiments include a computing system configured to display an icon label with a dynamic display characteristic. The system may receive an indication of an icon representing a data object, determine a type of the data object, and based on the determined type, dynamically determine a label that is associated with the data object and includes a dynamic display characteristic. A user interface display is generated that includes the icon having a display portion configured to display the label with the dynamic display characteristic.

Abstract: Transaction data is written to one or more records in a datastore using key-value pairs. The record key for a record comprises a hash key and a range key, where the hash key corresponds to a particular transaction and the range key corresponds to a transaction type. The record key also comprises a counter to distinguish between different records storing data for the same transaction. A serialized data stream of transaction data may be apportioned into multiple data records and stored in a non-relational datastore. Each record for a transaction is individually readable, independently of the other records for the transaction. Accordingly, data records storing a large amount of transaction data for a transaction may be individual retrieved and presented at an access device, enabling a paginated view of the large amount of data with low latency in its retrieval.

Abstract: There is provided an information distribution system including an electronic apparatus and an information distribution apparatus connected through a network, the information distribution apparatus comprising an apparatus usage information collection unit configured to collect apparatus usage information indicating usage situation of the electronic apparatus; a distribution information generating unit configured to generate distribution information to be distributed to the electronic apparatus based on the apparatus usage information; and a distribution unit configured to distribute the distribution information to the electronic apparatus; the electronic apparatus comprising a distribution information acquiring unit configured to acquire the distribution information; and a display control unit configured to display the distribution information in a display unit of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for location detection devices for use in a courier services network. A first user may travel to a location for a particular reason, such as item purchases or appointments. While at the location, the user may be identified at the location by a server offering courier services to a seller and a second user purchasing items from the seller. Based on the first user's reason for traveling to the location and other indicia of trustworthiness or fraud, the server may determine whether the first user can be trusted as a courier. If the user is trusted as a courier, the server may update the first user and the seller to arrange delivery of the item to another location set by the second user. The first user may also be provided with additional items for the second user to deliver to further locations.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing an order for a product for delivery. The method includes receiving an order for a product from a first requestor, the order identifying a delivery timeframe. The method also includes identifying an undelivered shipment of the product associated with an existing order of a second party. The method further includes transmitting a request to reroute the undelivered shipment of the product to the first requestor within the delivery timeframe. The method still further includes processing the order for the product. The processing includes arranging delivery of the product to the second party. Systems and apparatus are also disclosed to implement the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying authenticity of a physical object and/or for verifying possession of the object by an individual are described. In one embodiment, the object is registered with a remote processing system. Data representing at least one characteristic of the object is obtained and stored in the remote system and the identity of the individual or entity possessing the object is authenticated. After authenticating the individual, an identifier is collocated (or an existing mechanism is activated or modified to replicate the identifier) with the object, where the identifier uniquely identifies the object and the individual possessing the object. The object and the identity of the individual possessing the object can be authenticated at a future time by sensing the collocated identifier and sending the sensed identifier to the remote system. The remote system can send instructions to an entity wishing to authenticate the object and its association with the individual possessing the object.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. This determination may be used to control and manage the actions that the device is asked to carry out by or on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A server and method for providing a content selection is provided. The server receives content targeting parameters and obtains content items from at least one content site based on the content targeting parameters. The server can further identify content descriptors for the content items and generate a first content cluster from a subset of the content items based on the content descriptors. The server can further generate a second content cluster from a second subset of the content items based on the content descriptors and rank the first and the second content clusters in an order of usefulness. The ranking of the content clusters can be based on at least one of an importance of content, a recentness of the content items and a size of the content cluster.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. This determination may be used to control and manage the actions that the device is asked to carry out by or on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program to reduce incorrectly declined transactions and improve risk calculation accuracy by reducing error probability during fraud detection. The tool first receives at least one data element as well as transaction account data and/or financial transaction instrument data. Then a customer is determined from a first record associated with the transaction account data and/or financial transaction instrument data. A record search is performed to identify at least one additional record associated with the customer. Finally, the data element is compared to the information contained in the additional record to create a comparison result that verifies a customer address. The comparison result may be used as an input to transaction risk calculations. The comparison result may also be provided to a merchant system and/or merchant for use in a decision-making process, for example, to verify customer identity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a barrier operator system in which a remotely located transceiver type controller is in wireless communication with a transceiver type adapter connected to a barrier operator, and in electronic communication with the barrier operator's microcontroller. The controller is operable to wirelessly transmit door operator status inquiries to the adapter. This may be effected automatically in connection with the transmission and receipt by the adapter of door toggle commands or separate and apart from same. The status information is wirelessly transmitted by the adapter in broadcast form without source or destination address to the remote device in a signal that is non-addressed broadcast door operator (and, indirectly, door) status information by relying upon the receipt of the message by the remote within the specific time limit of the reception window of the remote.

Abstract: An encryption method includes displaying encryption target data on a display screen as an image, performing first acceptance in which designation of an at least partial region of the displayed image is accepted, performing second acceptance in which designation regarding splitting of the designated at least partial region is accepted, and splitting data that is included in the encryption target data and corresponds to the designated at least partial region in accordance with the designation regarding the splitting under a secret sharing scheme.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with routing messages in a network are described. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring engagement information about each of a plurality of individuals that are members of a network associated with a user. The engagement information is acquired as a message is received from the user. The method may also include analyzing the network and the engagement information using a set of predefined metrics to determine a probability that each of at least a subset of the plurality of individuals will respond to the message. The method may also include routing the message to at least one individual in the subset as a function of the probability that each of at least a subset of the plurality of individuals will respond.

Abstract: An apparatus for more efficiently enabling secure access to an enclosure is described herein. The apparatus may include a wireless transmitter in a selectably opaque container, a wireless transceiver, a GPS receiver, an NFC transmitter and/or receiver, one or more hardware processors, and hardware memory. The hardware memory stores instructions for receiving a current location of the apparatus and comparing that location to a delivery address of the enclosure. As the location is within a certain range of the delivery address the apparatus sends a request to a cloud-based server for a hash digest masking an acceptable input for an access control mechanism associated with the enclosure. The apparatus receives the hash digest and forwards it to the access control mechanism via the wireless transmitter. Computer executable code for handling such tasks, and a cloud-based server for generating the hash digest, are also described herein.

Abstract: An address recognition apparatus has an address recognition section, and a non-addressee determination section. The address recognition section acquires, based on an image of an object, address information described on the object. The non-addressee determination section determines, based on a comparison result of information relating to first address information that is the address information acquired in the address recognition section at a desired timing, and information relating to second address information that is the address information acquired in the address recognition section before the first address information, whether or not the first address information is a non-destination address that is not an address of an addressee.

Abstract: A state sensitive device is described, the device including a state register which stores a record of the effective-state of the device, a mask field having a value which varies according to a value of the state register, and a processor which changes the value of the mask field to a new value of the mask field when there is a change in the value of the state register, wherein, the processor performs a state dependent calculation requiring the value of the mask field as an operand in the state dependent calculation which will yield an incorrect result if the value of the mask field does not properly correspond to the value of the state register. Related methods, systems and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An encryption method includes displaying encryption target data on a display screen as an image, performing first acceptance in which designation of an at least partial region of the displayed image is accepted, performing second acceptance in which designation regarding splitting of the designated at least partial region is accepted, and splitting data that is included in the encryption target data and corresponds to the designated at least partial region in accordance with the designation regarding the splitting under a secret sharing scheme.

Abstract: A disclosed transmission management system includes a receiver unit to receive alteration information for altering a communication status of a first transmission terminal from the first transmission terminal that communicates with a second transmission terminal to exchange content data, a terminal management unit to manage first status information indicating the communication status of the first transmission terminal, an acquisition unit to acquire the first status information from the terminal management unit in a case where the receiver unit receives the alteration information for altering the communication status of the first transmission terminal, and an alteration unit to alter the first status information managed by the terminal management unit, based on the alteration information for altering the communication status of the first transmission terminal received by the receiver unit and the first status information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: When theft protection of a computing device is initiated, credentials of the user are provided to one or more services that verify the credentials and generate a recovery key. A data value is generated based on the recovery key and an identifier of the computing device (e.g., by applying a cryptographic hash function to the recovery key and the computing device identifier), and the data value is provided to the computing device, which stores the data value at the computing device. When a user is prompted to prove his or her ownership of the device, the owner can prove his or her ownership of the device in different manners by accessing the one or more services via a network (e.g., the Internet), or by providing the recovery key (e.g., obtained using another computing device) to the computing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for arranging for shipping a package without the customer needing to generate or apply a shipping label, or any other information, to the package. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a carrier server and a carrier device. The carrier server may receive and store a smart code and shipping information associated with the package, which it may link together. The carrier device may capture the smart code from the package and send a request, including the smart code, to the carrier server for related shipping information. The carrier server may receive the request from the carrier device, retrieve the shipping information based on the smart code, and send the shipping information to the carrier device. The carrier device may receive the shipping information and generate a shipping label for the package based on the shipping information.

Abstract: Where a label for an item to be represented by an icon is customized, the icon is generated to dynamically display all of the label. Thus, at some point, the entire label is displayed, even though only a portion of the label is eventually displayed in the icon.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to online postage services and systems that have an online connection, and more particularly to systems and methods for enabling a shipping label service to be integrated with a third party application or website. One preferred embodiment includes a computer program product having a computer-usable medium with a sequence of instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a process that provides an online postage and shipping label service. The computer program product is configured to be integrated into a third party application, and the process includes the steps of enabling a user of the third party application to purchase postage, and enabling a user to generate one or more images of one or more shipping labels via the third party application.

Abstract: An insertion system includes an enclosure supply device, an envelope supply device, an insertion device to insert an enclosure supplied from the enclosure supply device into the envelope supplied from the envelope supply device, a first input unit to input identification data of the enclosure inserted into the envelope in each of multiple insertion setting records, a second input unit to input identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container of the enclosure supply device, and a controller to determine whether the identification data of the enclosure to be inserted, input by the first input unit, matches the identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container, input by the second input unit, and to control supply of the envelope by the envelope supply device as well as supply of the enclosure by the enclosure supply device based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: A collation of printed marketing signs for delivery or distribution to a retail store includes at least a first group of marketing signs and a second group of marketing signs. Each group has at least one stack of marketing signs for altering product display structures in a retail store and each marketing sign in each stack has a same non-rectangular shape. The first group of signs includes a first level of priority and the second group of signs includes a second level of priority. The first level of priority indicates that the first group of signs be set in the store before the second group of signs, which have the second level of priority.

Abstract: A system and method for linking data objects and physical objects of various kinds to an identified user is described. The system provides to the identified user information relating to the delivery status of mail pieces directed to or sent by the user, and the user then tracks and traces the mail pieces. The system further provides to the identified user information relating to continued sessions through which the user provides to a postal service system information relating to mailing labels and postage.

Abstract: A method for temporarily redirecting a customer's mail from a current mailing address to a temporary mailing address, includes: receiving a request to temporarily redirect the customer's mail; determining a first date to begin mail redirection and a second date to cancel mail redirection; redirecting a first type of mail to a temporary mailing address; instructing a delivery service provider to provide a package to the customer after the customer arrives at the temporary mailing address; instructing the delivery service provider to hold a second type of mail for a time period calculated based on the request; receiving a notification that the customer has arrived at the temporary mailing address; and informing at least one contact specified by the customer that the customer has arrived at the temporary mailing address.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for operating a mailing machine. A permit mail imprint is generated in the mailing machine on the basis of input signals entered into the mailing machine via a user interface of the mailing machine. At least some of the input signals may represent alphanumeric characters. For example, the permit number may be entered via a keypad or keyboard in the form of numeric characters.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide metering of postage value using accumulated postage information are shown. Embodiments implement an accumulated postage register in a postage security device which is incremented each time a postage indicium is generated and which is reset when a postage value settlement operation is performed. Accumulated postage may be paid for using various accounts, including pre-funded or pre-paid accounts, credit accounts, debit accounts, and billing accounts. Accordingly, embodiments may be used with respect to a post-paid metering model, a pre-paid metering model, and combinations thereof.