Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network. The guest configuration profile may further enable the control of in-room amenities, such as temperature control, lighting, shades, and availability, for example.

Abstract: A split hierarchy graphics processor system including a master node executing a virtual reality (VR) application responsive to input from a client device received over a network to generate primitives for in a VR environment. The graphics processor system including render nodes performing rendering based on the primitives for views into the VR environment taken from a location in the VR environment, the views corresponding to a grid map of the VR environment. Each of the render nodes renders, encodes and streams a corresponding sequence of frames of a corresponding view to the client device. The processor system including an asset library storing input geometries for the objects used for building the VR environment, wherein the objects in the asset library are accessible by the master node and the render nodes.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include identifying and notifying requestors that may be candidates for a particular autonomous vehicle in order to find those candidates that may be willing or able to relax their travel constraints to match the autonomous vehicle. A request flow may involve surfacing the potential option of matching to an autonomous vehicle before setting a specific destination. For example, the request flow may involve determining that an autonomous vehicle is sufficiently near an in-session potential requestor. Before the potential requestor enters a specific destination, the request flow may present the possibility of the potential requestor being matched with the autonomous vehicle. In some examples, the request flow may then provide available drop-off locations that are compatible with the autonomous vehicle for selection by the potential requestor. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A meeting insight computing system includes a meeting evaluation machine configured to collect quality parameters from meeting quality monitoring devices. The quality parameters each quantify meeting conditions during one or more previously-elapsed meetings and are usable to determine an overall quality score for each of the one or more previously-elapsed meetings. A graphical scheduling interface is configured to facilitate scheduling of an upcoming meeting at a designated meeting time, in a meeting location, and with one or more meeting participants. An insight generation machine is configured to report a meeting insight via the graphical scheduling interface. The meeting insight is based on the meeting time, the meeting location, the one or more meeting participants, and the quality parameters, and includes a recommendation to change one or more of the meeting time, meeting location, and meeting participants to improve a quality score of the upcoming meeting.

Abstract: A station device in a biometric pre-identification system uses identity to perform one or more actions. Identities are determined (such as via a backend) using biometric information. A biometric pre-identification device obtains biometric information and/or a digital representation thereof from a person approaching the station device. The biometric pre-identification device transmits such to the station device, facilitating the station to begin and/or perform various actions. The station device begins or performs the actions using the identity determined based on the biometric information before the person arrives at the station device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting disruption events that impact itineraries using data obtained from fragmented sources. A disruption event that impacts a segment of an itinerary is detected using data obtained from a number of fragmented sources. A record identifier associated with a reservation record generated in a reservation database in response to reserving the itinerary is identified. A disruption element corresponding to the segment is generated in the reservation record to store data indicating a net difference between a base state of the segment at a time of a ticketing of the itinerary and an actual state of the segment at a time the segment terminates. A difference between the base state and a state of the segment following the disruption event is determined. The disruption element is populated with data indicating the difference.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media of providing a predicted rate based on information about the property, the customer, and the amenities that a supplier has proposed. The rate may be based on many factors that can be extracted or derived from the historical bid data, including, but not limited to: location and market tier of the property, length of relationship with the channel (which may be an account or customer), the included amenities, the cancellation policy, the size of the account's or channel's event, the season of the booking, the proximity of the channel's offices of the account or channel to the property. Increased confidence that a customer is getting a fair rate facilitates negotiations between contracting parties.

Abstract: Systems and methods for in-transit detection and mitigation of transportation service disruptions in the travel industry using fragmented source data. A notification including a record identifier is received. The notification identifies a disruption element created upon detecting a disruption event that impacts a segment of an itinerary. The record identifier corresponds to a reservation record that was generated responsive to reserving the itinerary. The reservation record is accessed to obtain data stored in the disruption element that indicates a net difference between a base state of the segment when ticketed and an actual state of the segment when the segment terminates. A disruption metric quantifying a relative impact of disruption events on the segment is determined using that disruption element data. One or more mitigation options that reduce the disruption metric are identified. An instruction is triggered that causes a remote service to effectuate those mitigation options.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, system and computer program product for compacting data in a distributed storage system. According to the method, a query request is received from a client, wherein the query request comprises information of a previous query request of the client. A first query result of the query request and a second query result of the previous query request are retrieved. A delta data and a first indicator are sent to the client in response to the first query result being different from the second query result, wherein the delta data is the data of the first query result excluding the data comprised in both first and second query results, and the first indicator indicates the data comprised in both the first and the second query results.

Abstract: A method to present a personalized list of items is disclosed. The method may include presenting information pertaining to an event via a display device. The information pertaining to the event may include a time element. The method may further include receiving a selection of a location associated with the event. The method may also include sending a request for the digital image to preview the event from the location and for weather data in view of the time element. The method may include receiving the digital image and the weather data. The method may further include presenting the digital image and the weather data via the display device.

Abstract: A parking management system includes: a mobile terminal including a user information storage unit configured to store user information, a reading unit configured to read identification information of a parking section from a code correlated with the parking section, a time identifying unit configured to identify a parking start time or a parking end time of a vehicle based on a predetermined input, and a transmission unit configured to transmit parking information including the stored user information, the read identification information, and the identified time to a server; and a server including a parking information storage unit configured to store reservation information for the parking section, a reception unit configured to receive the parking information from the mobile terminal, and a determination unit configured to determine whether parking of the vehicle in the parking section matches reservation details based on the reservation information and the parking information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for extracting data from images related to travel accommodation, and performing a search of travel accommodation based on criteria entered by a user. The system collects images related to travel accommodation by querying data sources including images associated with the travel accommodation, processes the images so as to extract an identifying characteristic of the travel accommodation, and represents the identifying characteristic in the form of searchable text keywords and stores the searchable text keywords in the database. The system may receive a user request including travel accommodation-specific criteria via a user interface, search the database for searchable text keywords matching the criteria in the request, and cause the display of travel accommodations represented by the searchable text keywords on the user interface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for determining a pullover spot for a vehicle. The method includes using a computing device to detect information related to a system of the vehicle or an environment surrounding the vehicle using a sensor of a vehicle and determine a local failure of the vehicle based on the information. The computing device may then be used to determine that the vehicle should pullover before completing a current trip related to transporting a passenger or good by comparing vehicle requirements for the trip with the local failure and determine a pullover spot by identifying a first area for the vehicle to park in part based on a second area being available for a second vehicle to pick up the passenger or good. The computing device may operate the vehicle to the pullover spot and transmit a request for a second vehicle.

Abstract: An example method for assisting autonomous vehicle (AV) riders reach their destination after drop-off can include receiving, by an autonomous vehicle (AV), a ride service request from a user, the ride service request specifying a pick-up location, a pick-up time, and a destination of a trip associated with the ride service request; navigating the AV to the pick-up location; providing the user a recommendation for where to sit within the AV, the recommendation being based on at least one of the destination of the trip, a drop-off location associated with the trip, environment conditions associated with the drop-off location, and an estimated egress location; receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the AV; determining, based on the sensor data and the drop-off location, a pull-over location for dropping off the user; and navigating the AV to the pull-over location.

Abstract: Generating a vector space model to analyze menu items for restaurants in order to determine optimized geographic locations for merchants to position restaurants is described herein. In one example, the techniques include converting the menu items into vectors using the vector space model, and using the vectors, grouping or assigning the menu items to cuisine types. Once assigned to cuisine types, one or more servers of a food-ordering service may analyze transaction histories for customers in a particular geographic area to determine how “adventurous” the customers are, or how diverse the customer's orders are amongst cuisine types. If the customers in a particular geographic area are adventurous or diverse consumers, the food-ordering service may recommend that a merchant establish a dine-in restaurant in the geographic area, offer food delivery to the geographic area, and/or include the geographic area in a schedule for a mobile restaurant.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system, method and computer program for enabling local or regional merchants to participate in an automated cause marketing (ACM) program. The ACM program that may provide benefits to several parties involved in fundraising for one or more supported organizations, including one or more supported organizations, advertising providers, merchants, and individuals. Merchants are able to access enhanced analytics regarding their transactions with members and non-members of the ACM program and can use these enhanced analytics to realize an increased number of or revenue from transactions with members. The present invention also teaches a system and method for enabling advertising providers to acquire and analyze data associated with consumers-merchant transactions. The present invention provides the above advantages optimally using a mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using location data to identify and provide services in association with items appearing in captured images. One of the methods includes receiving, from a device, an image and location data representing the device's physical location, determining, based on the location data, that a particular set of one or more locations are within a threshold distance of the device's physical location, accessing, for each of the one or more locations in the particular set, item information that indicates one or more items that are associated with the location, determining, based on the accessed item information, that the image likely shows a particular item that is associated with one or more locations in the particular set, and providing, to the device, instructions for presentation of information about (i) the particular item and (ii) one or more locations in the particular set that are associated with the particular item.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for managing the transportation of an individual. The method includes a processor identifying, based on communicating with location services on a client, a user entering a venue, where the client is a wireless device associated with the user. The processor determined, in real time, a current location of the user within the venue. The processor obtains transportation route information associated with the user. The processor determines, based on the current location of the user and/or the transportation route, an occurrence of a transportation event. Based on the event, the processor determines one or more alternate transportation routes for the user. The processor transmits an alert that includes data related to the one or more alternate transportation routes over a wireless communication channel to the wireless device of the user.

Abstract: Techniques herein attempt to provide actors with more flexible and satisfactory experiences regarding obtaining tickets for an event. A learning model may identify attributes indicative of whether a particular actor (e.g., attempting to purchase tickets to an event) possesses a desirable characteristic (e.g., is likely to attend the event). Each actor can then be evaluated to estimate whether she is a good actor (possesses the characteristic). If so, favored opportunities may be made available, such as the opportunity to buy high-demand tickets. An actor may further have the opportunity to hold or reserve tickets for a period time, during which other actors cannot purchase them. A fee for holding or reserving tickets (and/or maintaining the hold or reserve) can be dynamically set based on market factors. Opportunities to modify seat assignments to allow a group of friends to sit together may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of anticipating user action by a contact center system based on machine learning includes receiving, by a processor of the contact center system, a first signal from an end user device in communication with the contact center system, the first signal being indicative of an event associated with a user journey, the user journey including a plurality of events, identifying, by the processor, a subset of the plurality of events of the user journey as a plurality of input events, predicting, by the processor, a next event associated with the user journey based on the plurality of input events; and generating, by the processor, a second signal for transmission to the end user device, the second signal including data corresponding to the next event.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: an information management unit that registers boarding information on a user regarding boarding acquired by a check-in procedure of the user; and a deadline setting unit that, based on the boarding information, sets a deadline for a procedure of the user up to the boarding.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for detecting cashback and other related reimbursement frauds are provided herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for security and/or automation systems. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a reservation request for a reservation at a building from a guest. The method may further include approving the reservation request. The method may further include automatically communicating a temporary guest code to the guest based at least in part on the approving, the temporary guest code granting access to the building and access to operate at least one component of the security and/or automation system.

Abstract: A system server includes a database of two-dimensional images and a processor coupled to a hardware memory with instructions that in response to execution by the processor direct performance of operations. The operations include generating a digital model from the images in the database and communicating a first portion of the digital model as an enhanced view to a user device. The first portion corresponds to a first line of sight orientation of the user device as measured by an orientation sensor. The operations include receiving a signal based on sensor data measured by the orientation sensor. The signal indicates movement of the user device from the first line of sight orientation to a second line of sight orientation. In response, the method includes communicating a second portion of the digital model to the user device that corresponds to the second line of sight orientation of the user device.

Abstract: A method may include determining a transportation situation of a person. The method may also include selecting, based on the transportation situation, a particular ride-share vehicle from a plurality of ride-share vehicles for use by the person with respect to the transportation situation. The particular ride-share vehicle may be of a particular vehicle type based on the transportation situation.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus that enable constraint based communications between two or more devices. For example, a first user of a first device may submit a communication request to establish a communication session with a second user and provide a constraint for that communication session, such as a time-limit (e.g., limit the communication session to five minutes). In such an example, if the second user accepts the communication request with the constraint, a communication session is established and the system monitors the communication session to determine when a condition corresponding to the constraint has been satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the communication session is terminated by the system.

Abstract: A server is used to provide a smoking vehicle to a user who wants to smoke. The server includes a communication device. The communication device is configured to receive first time information indicating a boarding time and first location information indicating a boarding location from an information terminal of the user. The communication device is configured to receive location information of the vehicle. The communication device is configured to transmit the first time information and the first location information to the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile terminal capable of obtaining information provided from a server includes: a communication unit capable of communicating with, via a first communication path, an associated terminal in one of a plurality of areas, the associated terminal being placed in the one of the plurality of areas, being a terminal associated with the mobile terminal, and being one of a plurality of area terminals placed in corresponding ones of the plurality of areas; and a display unit capable of displaying service information provided from the server, the service information including first information and second information different from the first information. The display unit displays the first information when the communication unit is able to communicate with the associated terminal, or displays the second information when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the associated terminal.

Abstract: An information providing system includes: a power supply facility installed at a parking area of a shop; and a vehicle connectable to the power supply facility via a power cable. When the vehicle is connected to the power supply facility via the power cable, the power supply facility is configured to transmit information to the vehicle via the power cable. The information includes: a merchandise item list of merchandise items that can be offered by the shop to a user of the vehicle; and content information (movie, video, still image, music, speech, newspaper, magazine, electronic book, game, comics, and the like) that can be utilized by the user of the vehicle in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication node for delivering secure content in respect of a requested service to a target entity. The communication node has respective interfaces towards: at least one network for communicating with mobile terminals; a service-provider node providing the requested service; and an authorization node for effecting payments. After having completed a set-up phase and in response to a payment, the communication node enables forwarding of secure content, relating to at least one service requested by a user of a first mobile terminal to a target entity associated with the first mobile terminal. The set-up phase involves: identifying the at least one requested service from the first mobile terminal; linking in the service-provider node the at least one requested service to the first mobile terminal; and assigning a reference in the service-provider node to a payment to be made in respect of the at least one requested service.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a request to determine a site and a timeslot for an event that requires attendance by a first and second user. Sensor data can be retrieved in response to the request. The sensor data can indicate a current occupancy of multiple sites and a current location of the first and second user. When the first and second user are available for an immediate timeslot, a first site for the event can be identified based on the sensor data. An upcoming timeslot for the event and a second site can be identified based on scheduling data. The scheduling data can indicate a future occupancy of the sites, a future location of the first and second user, and a future availability of the first and second user. An event notification indicating the site and timeslot for the event can be sent to the first and second user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing booking session data to generate a plurality of feature vectors for each booking session of the plurality of booking sessions, and generating training data comprising the plurality of feature vectors for each booking session and at least a first constraint. The systems and methods further providing for calculating a set of weights using the training data, wherein each weight is a lowest weight satisfying the most constraints possible, wherein the set of weights comprises a weight associated with each feature in the plurality of feature vectors, and computing a reservation value for each of a plurality of clients for each of a plurality of listings and for each date of a plurality of dates, based on the set of weights and the plurality of feature vectors.

Abstract: A station device in a biometric pre-identification system uses identity to perform one or more actions. Identities are determined (such as via a backend) using biometric information. A biometric pre-identification device obtains biometric information and/or a digital representation thereof from a person approaching the station device. The biometric pre-identification device transmits such to the station device, facilitating the station to begin and/or perform various actions. The station device begins or performs the actions using the identity determined based on the biometric information before the person arrives at the station device.

Abstract: A system and method directed to determining one or more polls that a user may have missed during a period of inactivity is provided. Initially, a polling system may determine that a user is now active and may determine one or more polls that were created for or assigned to a user, or a group to which the user belongs, during the period of inactivity. The polling system may then surface a notification and/or an input window such that a user may provide polling input. In some instances, a user may have missed multiple polls; the polls presented to the user may be based on recent user activity and/or whether such missed polls are still live, or open.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed configured to charge an electrical vehicle. A charge request is received for a first electrical vehicle parked at a first parking spot. A battery charging device is connected to a first head unit comprising a first charging cable located in proximity to the first parking spot. A charge request is received for a second electrical vehicle parked at a second parking spot. A determination is made as whether the first electrical vehicle is no longer being charged, and in response to determining that the first electrical vehicle is no longer being charged, the battery charging device is disconnected from the first head unit and is connected to a second head unit comprising a second charging cable located in proximity to the second parking spot.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for presenting graphical user interfaces comprising multiple components interrelated such that inputs received in one component of a graphical user interface render automatic and corresponding updates for another component of the graphical user interface. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of presenting a graphical user interface; and receiving user input of one or more parameters, the graphical user interface including a calendar portion and an associated graphical portion, the calendar portion comprising a date box for each date in a range of dates, and the graphical portion specifying non-date parameters for trips beginning on each date of the range of dates. A change in the calendar portion of the graphical user interface automatically renders a corresponding change in the graphical portion of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cross-selling passenger-oriented travel products from a sponsor company and other travel product providers to users, by normalizing the products and dynamically filtering the products in real-time according to rules defined by the travel product sponsor company. In one of the embodiments, ancillary products from any combination of an airline sponsor company, affiliated airline companies and other travel product providers may be presented to customers in accordance with the sponsor company's preferred product bundling nor package scheme and in coordination with affiliated airlines and other travel product providers as they may be available for a combined product. Other embodiments cross-sell travel products for rail, sea and other ground transportation, accommodation services and providers as well as passenger-oriented ancillary travel product providers such as Wi-Fi and duty-free shopping services.

Abstract: Implementations of various systems and methods for using a social network, a game engine network and a network to provide users of the networks the ability to integrate their everyday personal and business transactions with charity projects and people globally. Users of the methods on the network will use a reality based game strategy and structure through the use of reality, augmented reality and mixed reality technologies to integrate and link their everyday tasks of personal and business transactions to charity network projects and users in an invention that formerly did not exist. Implementations of methods described herein will link people who need help with those who transact or participate on the system in everyday business transactions. Implementations of methods for users will then have a scrapbook of how their everyday common tasks and transactions added up in a record that truly changed the world and influenced people towards social good.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus are provided for controlling the availability of start-time deferment of a pre-booked vehicle journey.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a computer-implemented method and system for the assignment of crowdsourced roadside assistance service providers to distressed vehicles/drivers requiring roadside assistance. The methods and systems may include a roadside assistance service provider system with a collection module, an assignment module, and a feedback module. The collection module collects roadside assistance service provider information and historical statistics from real-world information and stores the information in a database that may then be analyzed using particular rules and formulas. The assignment module assigns particular roadside assistance service providers to particular distressed vehicles/drivers based on one or more characteristics.

Abstract: A user is provided with a GUI that may allow the user to change functionality associated with a non-powered card, a powered card or other device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device). The functionality associated with the device may be displayed by the GUI as a list of third-party applications that may be executed when the user's card or other device is used to complete a purchase transaction. The GUI allows the user to purchase/redeem goods and/or services from a third-party vendor after the purchase transaction is completed or may allow the goods and/or services to be purchased/redeemed without first requiring a purchase transaction. A fulfillment system hosted by a remote facility administers the goods/services delivery by tracking user information, mailing information, and delivery status tracking information.

Abstract: Disclosed are data gathering and analysis systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media to facilitate an investigation process. The method includes accessing a data object representing an investigative issue as part of initiating an investigative session. The method further includes causing presentation, on a display of a device, of a user interface configured to receive user search queries and present search results for each received search query. The method further includes tracking user activity including one or more user actions performed during the investigative session. The method further includes creating a record of the user activity, and linking the record of the user activity with the data object representing the investigative issue.

Abstract: Techniques for generating leads for consumers using IoT devices at brick-and-mortar stores are provided. A retailer can determine a consumer's level of interest in a product and provide information or other benefits to the consumer. In some embodiments, sensor data from at least one of one or more consumer devices or IoT devices are received, the sensor data being indicative of interaction of a consumer with a product. One or more interactions of the consumer with the product are determined based on the received sensor data. An interaction database is searched for an interaction mapped to specific sensor data requirements matching the received sensor data. A leads score is calculated based on the one or more interactions, the leads score indicating an interest level of the consumer in the product. When the leads score exceeds a threshold, a lead is generated for the consumer.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive service requests from multiple requesters. Based at least in part on a proximity between the current locations of a first and a second requester, the system can match the first service request and the second service request by (i) selecting a pickup location for the first and second requesters, (ii) transmitting rendezvous information to the computing devices of the first and second requesters, (iii) determining an estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester to arrive at the pickup location, and (iv) selecting a transport provider to service both the first transport request and the second transport request, based at least in part on the pickup location, a current location of the transport provider, and the estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester.

Abstract: A method for configuring mobile online services for use with a transportation vehicle including providing a configuration system which assigns data contents to a data release class, providing a selection possibility for a user by the configuration system by which selection possibility the user allows one or more mobile online services to use the data contents of a data release class, selecting a data release class for the one or more mobile online services, and releasing the data contents of the selected data release class for use by the mobile online service by the configuration system. The method provides for enabling transparent and conveniently usable data protection configuration for the use of mobile online services together with a transportation vehicle which leads to increased trust of customers and potential buyers in the transportation vehicle manufacturer and in the offered mobile online services.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying seat inventory at a venue and facilitating planning of ticket prices for events at the venue is presented. Methods to predict total revenue for an event are described. Also presented are systems and methods for determining at what price and when to release so-called ‘flex’ price tickets during an on-sale using the sales velocity and sales/inquiry ratios. Determining demand of seats from secondary markets is also described with methods to use the demand for either repricing the seats in the primary market or presenting ‘best value’ seats to a prospective purchaser.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for automatically allocating physical units of a physical space. In example embodiments, an allocation request is received from a first computing device. The allocation request includes a physical space identifier, a physical unit quantity, and a physical unit arrangement type. A plurality of possible physical unit allocation subsets matching the allocation request are retrieved from a physical space repository and based on a physical unit allocation regulation associated with the physical space identifier. A physical unit allocation interface including one or more of the possible physical unit allocation subsets is transmitted to the first computing device. Available physical units associated with the physical space identifier are transformed in the physical space repository to unavailable physical units.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for connecting third-party services for user interaction. A user can select content on a user interface associated with a first third-party service. The content can be associated with a second third-party service. A client application can transmit the content to an integrated service over a network in a request to obtain additional information from the second third-party service. The integrated service can transmit the additional information to the client application. The user interface can be modified to include a user interface element containing the information associated with the second third-party service.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for integrating an email client with hosted applications. A first regular expression is applied to the body of an email composed by an email client to determine that the email is related to a hosted application. In response to determining that the email is related to the hosted application, a second regular expression is applied to the body of the email to identify the topic of the email. Then, one or more email addresses associated with the topic of the email are identified. The one or more email addresses are then sent to the email client as suggested recipient email addresses for the email.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for implementation of a messaging protocol that provides security necessary for clinical messaging while also providing scalability needed to properly function within a clinical setting. The messaging protocol provides for federation of messages across messaging domains with a direct target address or via a role or group endpoint address that resolves to one or more target addresses. The messaging protocol also provides the ability to include content other than text in messages.