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: A system includes an intersection engine to determine intersection points between multiple first functions, each first function corresponding to a product from a plurality of products and each first function based on the corresponding product's utility and profit at a given price point. The system further includes a first ranking engine to rank the intersection points and a second ranking engine to rank the first functions based on the intersection points. The system further includes a solving engine to solve a second function based on a subset of the ranked functions to determine a subset of the products to include in a product portfolio and a price for each product in the portfolio to maximize profit for the plurality of products.

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 computer travel system and methods for assessing travel service fees are described. System of the invention communicates, on one end, with a travel agent from a travel front office and, on the other end, with a system administrator who manages a price scheme database containing unitary fees and rules. Travel agent creates and modifies PNRs (passenger name records) from which service fees are assessed by a fee calculator. Fee calculator interfaces with the price scheme database to obtain unitary fees and rules to apply to get PNR service fees. System administrator can modify unitary fees and rules and use a fee simulator over a travel business history of PNRs to estimate what would have been revenue with the modified unitary fees and rule. System and methods of the invention enable an automatic assessment of travel service fees that can be recognized by the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing legal service providers and unit or ratio costs are provided. Billing data from legal services providers is analyzed to identify common tasks based on task codes. The common tasks are then analyzed to determine a unit cost or ratio cost for the tasks or a ratio cost for the tasks compared to the total costs for a matter. Analysis constraints are applied to the billing data to generate a cost model, which can be output in a variety of different graphical formats. This output, which identifying at least some of the total matter costs on a unit cost or ratio cost basis, allows for comparison of legal services provided by a number of different legal services providers. It also allows for comparing price quotes from a number of legal services providers against each other and against historical cost information.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for dynamically generating pricing information for digital content. In exemplary aspects, the technology includes receiving a request for digital content from a mobile device. In addition, attributes associated with the mobile device and digital content are identified, and a purchase-prediction score associated with the mobile device and request for digital content is received. The purchase-prediction score is used to dynamically generate pricing information of the digital content. The purchase-prediction score is derived from values assigned to the attributes, the values quantifying a correlation between purchase trends and the attributes.

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: 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: A system and methods are provided for serving content in response to content queries or requests. When a request is received, for content to be presented to a specified user, candidate content items are identified, possibly based on matches between attributes of the user and attributes of the items' target audiences. For each item, a history indicating the frequency (e.g., total number) and/or recency with which impressions of the candidate item were previously presented to the user is retrieved and used to determine a modifier value, which is applied to a calculated or generated probable click-through-rate (pCTR) to produce a modified probability that the user would act on the item if it is served to him or her. Each item's estimated value is computed by multiplying a bid associated with the item and the modified probability; the results are ranked and the top-ranked item(s) are served.

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: The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases.

Abstract: A computer program product having code that when executed implements steps in a method for displaying to the user a recalculated sales price of realty. The recalculated sales price reflects user-selected brokerage services and not a fixed-commission percentage, typical with the sale of realty. Steps include establishing a database of itemized broker services; accessing a sales price of the realty; providing user access to the database; recording user-selected broker services; producing a recalculated sales price of the real estate property factoring the user-selected broker services into the sales price; and then displaying to the user the recalculated sales price. A system using the computer program product gets smarter with use because the method may include steps of automatically recalculating average factors used to produce a recalculated sales price of the real estate property.

Abstract: An exemplary method for determining a singular impact of a base criterion includes selecting the base criterion and a trade criterion from a plurality of criteria and selecting a starting alternative and a target alternative. A series of virtual alternatives are then created, initially based on the starting alternative, by sequentially eliminating an impact of each non-selected criteria from the plurality of criteria. A final virtual alternative is compared to the target alternative and the singular impact of the base criterion is determined based on a difference between the final virtual alternative and the target alternative.

Abstract: A revenue management system comprising a first revenue management route which includes a forecast module and an optimization module and which calculates expected revenue for sales of inventor items based on historical data; a second revenue management route which is selected if the confidence in the forecasting in the first route is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Price for one or more products is optimized by considering competitor and/or consumer behavior relating to the products. A control set is generated to include one or more products. Also, a test set is generated to include one or more products of the same type as products in the control set. A feature of the products in the test set is changed while the feature of the products in the control set is maintained. Competitor and/or consumer response to the change is measured. Based on the response, a recommendation is generated with respect to the feature of the products in the test set. According to one implementation the recommendation may be a recommendation to lower the price of the products in the test set.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to conjoint analysis, and more particularly to systems and methods for simulating a new product at different price points and different attributes. In one embodiment, a method for simulating performance of a product is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a profile of the product and a corresponding choice card, wherein the choice card assists selecting of a sub-set of an updated first set of attributes and levels based on the profile; performing an analysis on the selected sub-set of the updated first set of attributes and levels; and simulating a plurality of scenarios to determine an optimum scenario depicting the performance of the product.

Abstract: A method for generating a deal for a business, including identifying a deal goal of the business, obtaining a plurality of previous deals issued by a plurality of businesses, identifying a plurality of performance data items relating to the plurality of previous deals, filtering the plurality of previous deals to identify a plurality of previous deal characteristics, selecting a plurality of high performance deal characteristics from the plurality of previous deal characteristics, generating a plurality of deal characteristics for the deal, identifying a first deal provider and a second deal provider from a plurality of deal providers, generating the deal including the plurality of deal characteristics, receiving an approval of the deal, and transmitting the deal to the first deal provider and the second deal provider.

Abstract: A system and methods for prioritizing and processing updated inventory information for event listings are described. In one embodiment, a network-based system may receive updated ticket information from a seller for multiple event listings, categorize the updated ticket information from the seller by event, prioritize event categories comprising updated ticket information in accordance with a prioritization policy, and process a prioritized event category comprising updated ticket information for a particular event listing out-of-order with respect to one or more other event categories comprising previously-received updated ticket information for other event listings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to generate a user interface that proposes an event to be scheduled in the future and solicits attendee bids, venue offers, sponsorship offers, or any suitable combination thereof. In some situations, the event includes one or more appearances by talent. The machine may be configured to receive the attendee bids from potential purchasers, venue offers from venue providers, sponsorship offers from potential sponsors, or any suitable combination thereof, via the user interface. The machine may identify a portion of the potential purchasers as winning bidders on tickets for the event, based on an attendee capacity supported by a venue, based on a portion of the attendee bids specifying higher prices per attendee than a remainder of the attendee bids, or based on both. The machine may assign a common price per attendee to each of the portion of the potential purchasers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for modifying a tire inventory database in a tire inventory server using a computer, a table, or a mobile communication device, comprising: obtaining an image of tread pattern on a selected tire using an imaging device; measuring tread depth on the selected tire to obtain a tread depth reading; and transmitting the image of tread pattern and the tread depth reading to the tire inventory server.

Abstract: Methods and systems of balancing job assignments to a plurality of machines are disclosed. A computing device receives multiple jobs each having a job size and determines a job order for the jobs based on each job's job size. A machine order is determined for a plurality of machines based on a setup time and a processing rate associated with each machine. The computing device assigns one or more jobs to each machine based on the job order and the machine order such that a maximum total processing time for the machines is minimized. A total processing time for each machine is determined based on the number of jobs and the cumulative job size of the jobs assigned to the machine, and the setup time and the processing time associated with the machine. The maximum total processing time is the largest of the total processing times for the machines.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking how well a product is selling and whether the price of a product should be raised or lowered. In an embodiment, a method for automating prices is provided by setting an initial pricing point for an item, and setting a time interval. The method also includes determining whether the item was purchased during the time interval, and determining whether the price of the item should be modified. The price is sent to a client machine as a sales price of the item.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

Abstract: The disclosed technology improves the process of generating recommended prices for retail products by optimizing revenue and profit while complying with a set of business rules by assigning a monetary value to each business rule. Then for each decision price that violates a business rule constraint, a penalty value is added to the monetary value. If the monetary value including the penalty is better than an original monetary value, the decision price is included in the recommended prices.

Abstract: A system to facilitate electronic commerce associated with an online marketplace, program product, and methods are provided. Electronic commerce over a computer network is facilitated by a computer system that forms a community of computers that enable the users to buy and sell items in an online marketplace. To list the item on an online marketplace website, for example, the selling user posts an item with the marketplace website by completing an online-item creation form. The form requires input related to the item, such as a description, sale price or minimum bid, shipping instructions, and the like. The selling user uploads an image file of the item to the marketplace website's server. The server contains a random image size generator that generates at least two additional images of the item that are presented to the selling user for selection of the image that the selling user wants to include on the selling website to advertise the item.

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: 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: Systems and methods for the aggregation, analysis, and display of data for used vehicles are disclosed. Historical transaction data for used vehicles may be obtained and processed to determine pricing data, where this determined pricing data may be associated with a particular configuration of a vehicle. The user can then be presented with an interface pertinent to the vehicle configuration utilizing the aggregated data set or the associated determined data where the user can make a variety of determinations. This interface may, for example, be configured to present the historical transaction data visually, with the pricing data such as a trade-in price, a list price, an expected sale price or range of sale prices, market low sale price, market average sale price, market high sale price, etc. presented relative to the historical transaction data.

Abstract: Product pricing and inventory optimization systems and methods and user interface elements enable users to optimize inventory (e.g., product quantity or volume) and pricing levels in real time for products for a given time period. Pricing and volume information is automatically determined for products in a product category for a specified time frame based on a shopping criterion defining how a merchandising set including that product is shopped by consumers and based on specified price and volume change limits. The shopping criterion may include a hierarchical order of at least two product relationship parameters, the product relationship parameters including brand relation information, size relation information, feature relation information and price relation information. In certain aspects, the pricing and volume information is also determined based on a brand hierarchy identifying an order of a set of product brands for the product category.

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: A method of facilitating and performing the redemption and exchange of unused tickets includes steps of determining the availability of unused tickets, calculating a redemption value of an available unused ticket, and updating a status of the unused ticket. The availability is determined by querying a database containing information pertaining to unused tickets. The redemption value is calculated based on the application of validation rules. The status is updated after a decision as to whether to redeem the unused ticket has been made. The redemption value is obtainable by exchanging the unused ticket for a new ticket. The tickets may be for air travel.

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 portable, handheld computer apparatus is used by a contractor's representative to determine the price of construction services at a job site in real time for presentation to a customer. Stored in a memory of the apparatus is data providing costs of a plurality of different construction materials used in building a structure at the customer's job site including at least some visual images of different construction materials to be displayed on the apparatus' display screen. This enables a customer to see the image and make a selection of materials while at the job site and after viewing the images. The apparatus has a program that based at least in part upon the specific materials selected by the customer and other information entered by the contractor's representative determines the total costs and a profit. The contractor's representative while at the job site and in real time may present a contract to the customer for the construction services.

Abstract: A cost accounting system and method of promoting four organizing principles of sustainability measurement: (1) the principle of measuring “sustainably autogenous systems” (nature and behavior) for efficiency engineering to achieve measurable increases in EROEI; (2) the principle of measuring “full spectrum renewable energy technology” to include: (a) integrative design engineering for increased energy production capacity by the combination, synergy and aggregation of solar, wind, geothermal, moving water, biomass conversion; and (b) integrative design engineering to achieve measurable increases in economic capacity of produced capital by infrastructure engineering; (3) the principle of measuring hydrogen-carbon dissociation to achieve measurable increase in renewable energy value and measurable increase in renewable material resource value and (4) the principle of measuring the liberation of local economic talent by creating local jobs in sustainability programs and eliciting local leadership so as to achieve

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: Systems and methods of the invention relate to forecasting a projected cost for at least repair associated with one or more assets. Based on evaluation of a portion of historic repair data for the one or more assets, a forecast component can create a projected cost to perform a repair. A cost component can aggregate or receive a portion of historic data related to repair costs previously performed. The cost component can further ascertain a repair cost per duration of time for an asset. Based on at least one of the portion of historic data or the repair cost per duration of time, the forecast component can indicate a projected cost for at least one repair for one or more assets.

Abstract: The present invention takes an input of the acceptable pricing to volume points from a business and outputs a continuous function which interpolates the pricing information for the entire range of customer volumes. As each consumer agrees to purchase an offer, they are added to the group, and the price decreases as defined by the output function. The result of this model is that of consumer collusion; it is in each consumer's best interest to increase the volume of purchases for the offer by the business. This yields lower prices for the individual, incentivizing each consumer to advertise for the business making the offer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a proposed service feature in a communication network is described. In one example, a call flow for supporting the service feature in the communication network is created, where at least one network component supports the call flow. First cost data for internally developing the at least one network component is determined. Second cost data for procuring the at least one network component from third party entity is determined. The first cost data and the second cost data are processed to generate a recommendation for either internally developing or externally procuring the at least one network element.

Abstract: A system for determining asset prices within a web-based application IS PROVIDED. The system includes a backend server comprising a data collection engine for collecting data from a plurality of data sources, a data standardization engine for standardizing the data collected by the data collection engine, and an Applications Programming Interface (API) engine for carrying out requests as demanded by an end user through a web-based enabled user interface; a database server comprising one or more database tables for storing the data collected from the data collection engine; and a frontend server comprising a web server that interacts with the API engine and communicates with the user interface via a web based application hosted on the web server.

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: Techniques for automated pricing of an item are provided. The techniques include obtaining historical data of one or more previous purchases for the item, performing a regression on the historical data, and using the regression to obtain a buying price and a selling price for the item.

Abstract: An improved method of operating and financing one or more onsite renewable energy systems (16) that supply energy to one or more onsite users (12). Onsite demand aggregation and management produce stable cash flow that qualifies for low cost conventional financing. Key functions, under the control of a professional operator (14), are redesigned to improve operating costs, tax incentive utilization, and risk mitigation. Onsite users (12) receive highly reliable power at retail rates but undertake no investments, long term commitments, or risk.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing recurring residential parking reservations is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking spaces by a resident is reserved on a recurring basis throughout a subscription period. A parking reservation, including recurring times and dates, is requested. The request is granted provided the parking space is available over any other reservations stored in the server. Use of the reserved parking space is managed throughout the subscription period. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. A motorist's identity is verified through the nearest smart parking device. The use of the reserved parking space is denied if not by the resident and parking non-availability is indicated during each recurring time and date.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through validated parking is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking space is managed. Occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and the location of the parking space is provided to the server. An identity of the driver of the motor vehicle is determined through the nearest smart parking device and the identity of the driver is provided to the server. Use of the parking space is validated. The parking space's location and the driver's identity are retrieved at the location of a merchant. Payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant is provided through the server.

Abstract: A computerized method, system, and computer-readable medium of automated feature-based analysis for cost management of direct materials is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of suppliers and at least one part offered by each of the plurality of suppliers, determining, with a processor, a should cost for each of the at least one parts based at least in part on features characteristics information, financial information, and purchasing demand information, receiving a request to compare the should cost for each of the at least one parts with a vendor price provided by a first supplier, wherein the first supplier is one of the plurality of suppliers, determining, with a processor, a spend index and fit score for each of the at least one parts offered by the first supplier, and automatically displaying a comparison of the spend index and fit score for each of the at least one parts offered by the first supplier through a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for demand response transit systems using periodic passes as optional payment for transit services. Booking transit services may include determining if the passenger has a periodic pass and whether such periodic pass can be used to fully or partially pay for such booking. Historical costs and use of periodic passes, having certain characteristics, can further be used to set future prices of such periodic passes.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cost of a target print job may include identifying a target print job having a document type and one or more attributes, for each attribute of the target print job, determining a correlation between the attribute and a cost of the target print job using a plurality of historical print jobs associated with the document type, and identifying one or more of the attributes as cost drivers based on the correlation of the attribute to the cost of the target print job. The method may include identifying one or more relevant historical print jobs from the plurality of historical print jobs based on values for the identified cost drivers, estimating a cost of the target print job using the one or more relevant historical print jobs, and displaying the estimated cost associated with the target print job.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

Abstract: A data integration module is operable to integrate a plurality of data sources, a customer preference module builds a model representing preference to different channels in merchandise category for each customer segment. A customer satisfaction module creates a model representing customer satisfaction metrics. A joint multi-channel optimization module is operable to use an optimization model that utilizes the customer preference model and the customer satisfaction model and maximize retailer's profit and customer satisfaction.