Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080215468 | Software Licensing Method And System - A software and/or content licensing method, which, in some embodiments, an intermediate entity brokers a plurality of software vendors to a single user, who can pay for only actual use of the software, through the single entity. In some embodiments, there is a cap. In some embodiments, offline use of the pay-per-use software is supported. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215469 | Consumer Finance Method and System - A consumer finance method and system financing a purchase including the steps of providing new goods or services to at least partially replace used goods or services which the customer is currently using to a customer at a purchase price; and collecting at least the amount of the purchase price from the customer in a plurality of installments, the amount of each installment calculated as the amount which the customer would have paid for the used goods or services based on historical information. | 09-04-2008 |
20080228610 | Interface Architecture of Subscriber Information Management Billing, Prepaid System for Mobile Network System, and Prepaid Method Using the Interface Architecture - Disclosed are an interface architecture of subscriber information management, billing, prepaid system for mobile network system, and a prepaid method using the interface architecture. The present invention is embodied by a Workflow engine classified as a business logic and a processing logic to access the interface rapidly for clients. The workflow engine is applicable to the subscriber information management and the billing through a voice subscriber, a data subscriber and contents provider. Interfacing is possible to apply changeable embodiment of system and adapt environment changes through a workflow engine. Therefore, the present invention provides a wireless portal platform to increase efficiency in subscribing procedures and using service. In addition, the present invention provides solution of obstacles on respective module between the prepaid billing client and the prepaid billing gateway, or between the prepaid billing gateway and the prepaid billing server. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228611 | System and method for providing extra lines of credit - A system and method for upgrading existing credit cards with additional lines of credit is disclosed. Credit information associated with customers holding credit cards issued by a credit card issuer are analyzed to determine a level of risk associated with each customer. One or more extra line of credit may be established for selected customers based on the determined level of risk associated with each customer. Each extra credit line may be exclusively associated with a selected set of vendors that have a partnership agreement with the credit card issuer. The credit card issuer may allow customers to select vendors to be associated with the extra credit line or may automatically choose vendors for selected customers. Customers with established extra credit lines may purchase goods and/or service directly from vendor sites or at the credit card issuer's web sites. Purchases at selected vendor sites may be automatically applied to a customer's newly established extra credit line. Additionally, a customer may choose to apply purchases to their extra credit lines or their primary line of credit | 09-18-2008 |
20080235119 | APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR METERING AND ACCOUNTING FOR SERVICES ACCESSED OVER A NETWORK - Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243653 | BILLING BASED ON EQUIVALENT QUALITY OF SERVICE UNITS - The present invention provides a method that may be used for billing for quality of service applications. The method includes determining at least one parameter indicative of resource usage of at least one first quality of service application by comparing at least one resource used by the first quality of service application(s) to at least one resource used by a second quality of service application. The method also includes providing information indicative of at least one cost associated with the first quality of service application(s) based on the comparison and at least one cost associated with the second quality of service application. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243654 | Invoicing methods and systems for processing convergent contract accounts - Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to the processing of invoices. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for processing invoices associated with service contracts may comprise receiving data associated with a first service contract. The method may then analyze the first service contract data based on a processing rule. The method may then determine, based on the analyzed first contract data, whether the received first service contract data relates to an existing service contract. The method may then process an invoice associated with the first service contract based on the determination of whether the received first service contract data relates to an existing service contract. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243655 | IMPLEMENTING RATING TIMER CONTROL IN A PRE-BILLER TO SUPPORT ONLINE AND OFFLINE CHARGING - The present invention provides a method of processing information associated with off-line billed communications in a communications network. The method includes providing at least one charging data record to a rating engine. The charging data record(s) include information associated with at least one off-line communication and are provided in response to receiving the charging data record(s). The rating engine determines costs of the off-line communication(s) at a time determined based on at least one time control category associated with the charging data record(s). The method also includes modifying the charging data record(s) to include information indicative of the cost(s) of the off-line communication(s) determined by the rating engine. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243656 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC DELIVERY OF BEADS - A method and system for providing target code to various computer systems. The target code is provided by a service. The service provides a mechanism for third-party developers to submit initial or base code for distribution to end-user computers as target code. The service converts the initial code to target code that is suitable for execution on the end-user computers. When the service receives the request for target code that matches certain requester-specified characteristics, it selects the intermediate code that best matches the requester-specified characteristics. The service then sends the target code to the requester. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243657 | Building Optimization Platform And Web-Based Invoicing System - A building management and optimization system and method are disclosed. Building services data obtained at the building is received by a building optimization platform through a first communication network. The building optimization platform includes at least one server system for generating an electronic invoice based on the building services use data. A representation of the electronic invoice is transmitted to a user interface through a second communication network for web-based review, editing and approval by a property manager associated with the building. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249904 | COUNTING AND BILLING MECHANISM FOR WEB-SERVICES BASED ON A SOAP-COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL - The present invention discloses a system and method for counting Web-Services by means of a Resource-Counter Service offered as an own, independent Web-Service based on a SOAP communication protocol as well as a system and method for billing Web-Services using the result of the Resource-Counter Service for calculation of a charge. The Resource-Counter Service may be accessed by all Service-Provider having service description of the Resource-Counter Service. The service description for the Resource-Counter Service may be preferably created and published by the Service-Provider, categorized by the Service-Broker, and can be found and used to invoke the Resource-Counter Service by all Service-Provider using a charging model for their Web-Services. The Resource-Counter Service mainly provides the functionality to create all necessary data allowing calculation of the charge for the use of a Web-Service. The final calculation of the charge itself may be done by a separate specific accounting and bill presentment component. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249905 | Multi-party web-beacon-based analytics - Tools and techniques are provided to allow partners of analytics providers and others who use web-beacons to submit web-beacon plug-ins for scrutiny, and for the plug-in to either be refused or else to be certified for use in a core JavaScript file or similar component. Analytics providers and others may also write web-beacon plug-ins. Certified plug-ins are executed in response to page loads, visitor clicks, and other visitor and programmatic actions at a website that has been tagged by the analytics provider's web-beacon, without requiring re-tagging of the website with a separate web-beacon for the partner. This allows the partner to obtain analytics data by piggybacking on the analytics provider, without re-tagging, and without compromising the availability and accuracy of the analytics data already being gathered. To be certified, web-beacon plug-ins must satisfy specific criteria as to their size, behavior, namespace, and the like. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255972 | LEGAL BILLING ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of creating a finalized invoice, having steps of creating a preliminary invoice, the invoice including individual tasks for activities accomplished, submitting the preliminary invoice to an automated rules engine, searching the preliminary invoice for keywords that define possible violations of a company's litigation billing guidelines, highlighting any invoice task that contains identified keywords that would define a possible violation of a company's litigation billing guidelines, querying a user to accept changes to an invoice task based upon the identified keywords, and modifying the preliminary invoice into the finalized invoice after the accepted changes have been conducted after the querying of the user. Using the searchable database to create reports that provide average rates charged by law firms on specific types of legal matters in all geographic areas, reports to evaluate which tasks are not being fully compensated by a specific company or legal auditing system, reports to evaluate the average cost to defend specific types of cases in specific jurisdictions. | 10-16-2008 |
20080270273 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME INVOICE VALIDATION AND RECONCILIATION - Method and system providing real-time validation and reconciliation of invoice formatting process. Specifically, the validation performed is a set of predefined validation rules that is applied on data stored on databases of the billing environment and on formatted invoice files which is the output of the invoice formatting tool. The validation rules may be applied at every stage of the invoice formatting life cycle. Furthermore a user of the disclosed system may add new validation rules to correspond the business logic that changes from time to time. This is done by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows the user to define (e.g. by drag-and-drop) the parameters that have to be validated, the type of validation and the type of report required. After defining the new rule, it becomes immediately active and may be used in the billing environment during invoice formatting process as an integrated validation system. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270274 | Method, system and apparatus for accounting in network - A method, a system and an apparatus for accounting in a network. The method includes: receiving accounting information; acquiring information of an access network; generating a bill containing the information of the access network according to the accounting information and the information of the access network; and the bill being used for performing charge settlement with an access network provider of the access network. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275798 | Evergreen contract billing & in life contract management system and method - The present invention provides an improved billing and contract management method and a computerized enterprise resource management system for processing and management of rent-producing financial products, such as contracts and leases that are past the initial end term date, and that have not been renegotiated or extended, or, in other words, that have entered the “evergreen” period. Among other things, the method and computerized system of the present invention integrate processing of the “evergreen” contracts with a proprietary generalized ERP software product/solution such as Oracle™ E-Business suite's Lease Management system, and supplement the processing of regular contracts with the “evergreen” contract authoring and booking, processing, validation, billing, accounting, collections, modification and audit trailing of the changes made to the “evergreen” contract terms. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275799 | PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are payment system and methods. There is an exemplary method for a system having a first business entity, a plurality of persons; a plurality of vehicles; a plurality of cards issued under authority of a government, each card evidencing a license for a person to operate a vehicle; a first signal corresponding to a signal common to the plurality of cards; a second signal on a first card in the plurality of cards; information corresponding to a bank account; and a point of sale. The method includes receiving the second signal from the point of sale; accessing the bank account, by using the first signal and the second signal; and in the accounting system of the first business entity, making an entry corresponding to a second amount, the second amount being owed to the government, responsive to the accessing step. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281735 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH DOCUMENT EXCHANGE FEATURES - Systems and methods for managing a construction payment process. One construction of the system includes a computer readable memory and a software enabled user interface. A process is configured to display to a payee via the user interface an electronic notification of a pending payment and a request for an electronically signed document such as a lien waiver. The processor of this construction is further configured to receive the electronically signed document, store it to a computer readable memory, and initiate payment. In some constructions, the processor is further configured to display the electronically signed document to the payer only after payment has been initiated. In some constructions, the processor is further configured to verify that requirements are fulfilled before initiating payment. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281736 | BYTE-BASED METHOD, PROCESS AND ALGORITHM FOR SERVICE-ORIENTED AND UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE USAGE MEASUREMENT, METERING, AND PRICING - A method for accounting for data processing system service usage is provided. The method comprises monitoring a total environmental consumption related to an information technology resource, determining a percentage of the information technology resource used by a customer, and determining an environmental factor corresponding to a product of the percentage of the information technology resource used by the customer with the total environmental consumption related to the information technology resource and integrating the product over a billing period. The method further comprises determining an information technology factor corresponding to a sum of a total network usage, a total storage usage, and a total processor usage for the customer over the billing period, determining a total bill for the customer according to the environmental factor and the information technology factor, and storing the total bill for the customer in a computer-readable medium. | 11-13-2008 |
20080288379 | Construction payment management system and method with automated electronic document generation features - A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include generating a budget for a construction project, receiving an invoice amount from at least one participant in the construction project, generating at least one of an automated invoice and an automated sworn statement based on the invoice amount and the budget, generating at least one automated lien waiver based on at least one of the automated invoice and the automated sworn statement, and electronically executing at least one of the automated invoice, the automated sworn statement, and the at least one automated lien waiver to create at least one of a legally-binding invoice, a legally-binding sworn statement, and a legally-binding lien waiver. Another method embodying the invention can include electronically receiving a lien waiver from a participant in a construction project, electronically transmitting payment to the participant in response to receipt of the lien waiver, and releasing the lien waiver in response to the payment. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288380 | Method and System for Providing Streamed Game Software on Portable Terminal - A system and method for providing streaming game software for a portable terminal are provided. The system includes a software producer, a service provider, a portable terminal, and a billing device. The software producer produces streaming software, and the service provider provides the software in a streaming mode. The portable terminal creates virtual computing resources by virtualizing and amplifying real computing resources for executing software and executes streaming software provided from the service provider based on the amplified virtual computing resource. The billing devices collects billing information, and calculates a cost according to a billing policy set based on the collected billing information. | 11-20-2008 |
20080306845 | CHARGE MANAGING SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CHARGE MANAGING SERVER, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A charge managing system including an image forming apparatus and a charge managing server is provided. The image forming apparatus includes plural applications each configured for executing a specific process on input data, a counter unit that counts a number of result items output as a result of executing at least one of the applications, a count value storage unit that stores a count value corresponding to the number of result items counted by the counter unit, and a storage area setting unit that secures a plurality of storage areas within the count value storage unit each of which storage areas is configured for storing a corresponding count value obtained for each of the applications. The charge managing server manages charging a fee for using the image forming apparatus based on the corresponding count value stored in each of the storage areas secured for each of the applications. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306846 | System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface - A system and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. The first frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service. The resource is requested by a user through an internet enabling software. In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific information that is related to content provided from the resource. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306847 | PROVIDING METERED ACCOUNTING OF COMPUTER RESOURCES - An apparatus and method provide the capability of metering temporary capacity on demand in a computer system in a way that allows one resource to benefit from unused billed capacity of a different resource. The actual use of a selected resource is monitored. When the selected resource is actually used, before charging the customer for the resource, a check is made to see if there is unused billed capacity of another resource that may be used by the selected resource. If so, the unused billed capacity of the other resource is “stolen” and used by the selected resource. If there is no unused billed capacity of another resource, a resource-time increment is billed for the use of the selected resource. | 12-11-2008 |
20080319884 | CHARGING SYSTEM AND CHARGING METHOD - The present invention provides a charging system and charging method. An online charging system and an offline charging system are interconnected via a shared data center to make up a dual-engine structure, which is able to implement online charging, offline charging, account sharing, switching between prepaid and postpaid modes, and binding of voice and data services. With the invention, an operator can possess more flexible charging and control capabilities, lower the cost of arrearage, and have stronger competitiveness. | 12-25-2008 |
20090006229 | System and method for telephony billing codes - A system and method for implementing a billing service plan for separating communications expenses. Expenses related to a communication for an individual user are separated into two or more categories based on user input before, during, or after the communication occurs. The expenses of the communication are apportioned to the two or more categories based on the user input. An invoice is generated for one or more parties specifying the expenses apportioned to the two or more categories. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012885 | Adjustable rate usage-based billing for data services - A method of providing adjustable rate usage-based billing for data services establishes an initial level billing rate based on customer estimates of usage and rates established by the provider based on the location of customer sites within predetermined geographic zones and levels of service intended to be used between those customer site pairs. The initial level billing rate is typically monthly, and is maintained during a predetermined level billing period. Upon expiration of the level billing period, the actual average usage on a monthly basis is calculated and compared to the level billing rate. If the absolute value of the percentage difference between them does not exceed a predetermined maximum adjustment, then the level billing rate for the next level billing period is set equal to the computed average of actual use during the just ended level billing period. If the maximum adjust is exceeded, the new level billing rate is capped at the maximum adjust percentage for the next level billing period. A carryover is provided by which whatever amount of increase or decrease is not covered by the maximum adjustment is carried over to the next level billing period, and is carried until it is finally recovered by either the customer or the provider, depending upon to which party the carryover has been accruing. This billing method is particularly useful in networks such as Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS), which provide the customer a certain amount of bandwidth for access to the network, but for which bandwidth is not pre-allocated to specific connections. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012886 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH SPECIFIED BILLING FEATURES - Systems and methods for managing payments. One construction of the system includes a software enabled user interface accessible by a first party and a second party, at least one computer readable memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to selectively operate in a specified billing mode in response to an input received from the first party. The processor is configured to receiving invoice details from the first party when operating in the specified billing mode and from the second party when not operating in the specified billing mode. The processor is further configured to generate an invoice based on the invoice details, display the invoice to the first party and the second party, and request an approval or a rejection of the invoice from the first party or the second party. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012887 | Method And System For Provision Of Personalized Service - Systems and methods for servicing a user seeking a service over a computer network. In one embodiment the user visits a website of an administrative processing system which performs administrative processing for a plurality of service providers, including service provider(s) which will provide the service(s) to the user. In one embodiment, the administrative processing includes an interactive chat-like interview with the user. In one embodiment the administrative processing system is paid by the user and the payment is shared with the provider(s) who serviced the user. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012888 | Text-to-speech streaming via a network - A network-based approach for converting a first type of data into a second type of data. The first type of data can be sent by an originating network-user to a remote service platform connected to a telecommunications network. Data conversion from the first to the second data types takes place at the remote service platform. The originating network-user can address a receiving network-user to whom the second type of data can be sent. The receiving network-user receives the second type of data as a data stream. The originating network-user can also associate the first type of data with an electronic file. The receiving network-user receives the electronic file together with the data stream. With the functionality of the service platform), network users are able to create and distribute a certain type of data without the required conversion facilities being locally available. | 01-08-2009 |
20090018938 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTIVE BILL ENTRY - A system and methods for the processing of documents generated in shipping transactions using predictive data entry is disclosed. The system utilizes a Predicted Bill Entry engine and database to shift from a bill entry process to a bill review process by predicting the shipment characteristics between common sender and receiver pairs. Shipping information collected at the time of pickup or quote is converted into a temporary shipment record. The engine then compares the temporary shipment record with the predictive bill entry database. If a match is found, the user will be presented with a predictive record for bill review. Alternatively, the user can use the Predicted Bill Entry engine by entering the certain shipping information. The Predicted Bill Entry engine searches for a match in the Predicted Bill Entry database. If a match is found, the user is presented with a predictive record for bill review. | 01-15-2009 |
20090024496 | Daylight Overdraft Tracking - Techniques and systems are disclosed for calculating daylight overdraft fees charged to a user associated with a plurality of deposit account. The daylight overdraft fees may be customized (or adjusted) to the amount of time the user's aggregate accounts remain in overdraft. As such, those users that spend more time in overdraft during a business day may be charged higher fees than other users. Moreover, multiple deposit platforms may provide account data through feeds. As such a user with multiple accounts may be charged according to its aggregate overdraft amount rather than simply on each account individually. Additionally, enhanced reporting and billing features are disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024497 | Configuration Method and Engine for Inter-module Interfaces of Billing and Accounting - The present invention relates to a configuration method for inter-module interfaces of billing and accounting system, the steps are as follows: 1) interface configuration method is stored in the billing and accounting system by a form of static library named as libcdr.a, it is an invoking relationship between a configuration engine of the inter-module interfaces and each functional module class, that is each functional module of the billing and accounting system invoking the configuration engine to complete an unified conversion transaction of input and output format; 2) automatic analysis of each service data is configurable; all configuration information is integrated in one unified configuration file cdr.ini, two types of data information transaction are supported in this configuration file: one is network element raw input data, other is standardized data in the system. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030820 | CORRELATION OF BILLING INFORMATION BY A NETWORK ELEMENT - In one embodiment, a method for providing correlation of billing entries for a mobile communications network is provided. A correlating network element in a bearer path determines a plurality of billing entries for a flow. One or more of the billing entries may be received from other network elements and includes traffic altering information for a flow. The correlating network element correlates the plurality of billing entries using state information included in the billing entries. The state information is used to determine information in billing entries that may be related, such as billing entries for a single flow. Also, the correlating network element uses the traffic altering information to determine a data volume sent for the flow. A correlated billing entry may then be generated using the data volume for the flow. The correlated billing entry is then sent to a billing system from the correlating network element. Billing entries are not sent from other network elements that may be generating billing entries in a link to the billing system. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030821 | DIVERSE BILLING RECTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for increasing claim recovery efficiency wherein an input engine receives claim data and is operatively coupled to both a clearinghouse system and an accounts receivable management system, which systems cooperatively identify errors in the claim record and prevent erred claim records from progressing to a payor. The clearinghouse system provides supplementation of the claim data for each claim record with additional data useful in electronic invoicing, assembly of claims for electronic invoicing, and submittal of claims for payment electronically. The clearinghouse is interactively coupled with the accounts receivable management system, which establishes and maintains an activity record for recovery efforts of each claim record, records process progression of each claim, coordinates error correction action, and assembles final disposition of each claim | 01-29-2009 |
20090043679 | Method and software application for computer aided cutomer independent cash collection using a state field in a data record - Systems and methods are provided for computerized processing of invoices which a company has presented to, for example, two or more customers. The systems and methods may be configured to select, from a plurality of invoices, invoices which are due within a preselectable time or on a preselectable date and the balance of which is larger than a preselectable first value, and to assign a first state to the selected invoices. | 02-12-2009 |
20090055298 | Method for configuring billing processes in network elements - A method configures billing processes in the network elements of data path for the transmission of packet data in a communications system. According to said method, network elements that are located between a first and a second element of the data path are configured and the packet data transmission that is associated with a terminal is carried out between the first network element and the second network element via the data path. The terminal transmits or receives the associated packet data transmission via the second network element. In a central third network element, which is not assigned to the data path, a stored billing control function generates a configuration message, which is used to configure the network elements. The configuration message is transmitted to the network elements of the data path, said network elements at least partially evaluating the configuration message for initialization and configuration purposes. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055299 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING UTILITY CONSUMPTION AS SHOWN ON PERIODIC UTILITY BILLS AND ASSOCIATED CARBON EMISSIONS - Utility usage data of a customer in numeric form provided by the utility meter data collection system in usage intervals of not less frequent than daily intervals is received, along with billing-related data of the customer. The received utility usage data of the customer is converted from numeric form to a graphical form that shows the total daily usage information for a calendar period that matches that for the printed utility bill of the customer. The graphical form is printed on the printed utility bill or on a paper suitable for use as an insert accompanying the printed utility bill to be mailed to the customer. In another embodiment, electricity usage data of the customer is received, along with electricity generation data regarding quantity and percentages of a utility's total electricity generation attributable to at least two the following electricity generation sources: Natural Gas-Baseload, Natural Gas-Peaking, Coal, Hydro, Nuclear, and Renewable. Information is derived regarding proportion of the customer's actual electricity usage attributable to the sources of electricity generation from the electricity generation data and the electricity usage data. Preferably, the carbon emissions attributable to the customer's actual electricity usage is calculated and presented to the customer. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055300 | Method and system for remote generation of renewable energy - A method and system for determining a net energy consumption are described. Information is received descriptive of a power output generated by at least one source of renewable energy ( | 02-26-2009 |
20090070242 | Local cost computation accounting for a print job - A method for accounting for a print job includes providing at least one print device having at least one control software module, and a server having a funds deposition mechanism storing deposited funds in a funds database, wherein the server communicates with the print device via a network transporting at least one signal; and transporting at least one signal enabling operation of the print device via the network through a network interconnection between the server and the print device. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070243 | Local cost computation accounting for a print job - A system for accounting for a print job includes at least one print device having at least one control software module and a server having a funds deposition mechanism storing deposited funds in a funds database. The server communicates with the print device via a network transporting at least one signal. The signals are transported via the network through a network interconnection between the server and the print devices. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070244 | Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for managing penalty fees for financial accounts - Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for providing a payment plan to credit card customers. A customer may be offered membership into a payment plan that allows the customer to pay past due penalty fees included in a balance associated with the customer's credit card account. Once a customer is member of the plan, a new segment is created for the customer's account. The penalty fees are removed from the balance and applied to a balance associated with the new segment. Thereafter, each time payment is received for the financial account, the payment may be applied in whole or part to the new segment's balance until it reaches zero. Subsequent payments are applied to the balance of the financial account. In one configuration, the financial account may not be charged any penalty fees while the customer is a member of the plan. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076936 | Dynamic Media Rights - Included are embodiments for providing dynamic media rights. At least one embodiment includes receiving content from at least one uploading user and determining at least one attribute associated with the content. Some embodiments include determining at least one compensation schedule for providing the content to at least one content consumer and providing an option to compensate the at least one uploading user, according to the compensation schedule, for providing the content to the at least one content consumer, wherein the compensation schedule is determined from the at least one attribute. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083166 | Supporting Chargeable Subcontracting When Outsourcing Manufacturing Of An Assembled Unit While Supplying Components - A digital processing system supporting management of purchase orders according to chargeable subcontracting model in an outsourcing organization. In one embodiment, when a user provides an order for a desired quantity of an assembly type from an external organization, the digital processing system automatically raises a sales order, as originating from the external organization, corresponding to each of a set of components required for manufacturing the assembly type. On receiving a receipt indication indicating the successful delivery of the order, the digital processing system calculates a net payable amount to be paid to the external organization. Additional aspects of the invention facilitate setting up of chargeable contracting model with simulated (within the digital processing system) external organizations, planning of purchase orders, etc. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083167 | COMPUTER BASED ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Computer based energy management including an adaptor having a server network interface and a control device interface. The server network interface receives commands from the energy management host software, the commands specify a control device and include control instructions and requests for energy usage data. The control device interface transmits the commands to the control device and receives energy usage data from the control device. The server network interface transmits the energy usage data to the energy management software in response to receiving the energy usage data from the control device. In this manner, the adaptor provides a bridge between the server network and the copper wire network to provide control and measurement of energy usage at a control device level in response to commands from a remote computer system. | 03-26-2009 |
20090089193 | BILL PAYMENT AGGREGATION SERVICE - Tools for providing bill aggregation and/or payment services. In an aspect, such tools aggregate all payments over a given period of time, allowing a user to make a single payment to ensure that all appropriate bills are paid in timely fashion. In another aspect, the tools determine, without requiring user input, an amount due on each bill, as well, in some cases, of a due date for each payment. Optionally, the tools can provide a consolidated statement to inform the user of payments to be made over a given period. Such statements can provide a varying level of detail, depending on the implementation and/or on user preferences. In some cases, a consolidated statement might provide line items and/or detailed support for each payment to be made. In other cases, the consolidated statement might simply provide a single consolidated payment amount. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089194 | Method and Apparatus for Performing Financial Transactions - A system for processing invoices using a network and involving a vendor, a payer, a partner bank, a payer bank and a vendor bank is disclosed. A unique code assigned to records related to an invoice is also disclosed. The system contains a profile of participants. The system also applies engines that facilitate processing of invoice transactions and that can assist in providing notifications of changed status. Messages that may be used in the system for processing an invoice are also provided. | 04-02-2009 |
20090094144 | BUSINESS MODEL OF A BILLING PROCEDURE FOR RENTING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT - A system and method relate to dynamic financial models associated with financing, such as leasing or purchasing, equipment and/or services. The financial models may dynamically update a rate of payment based upon variable conditions. In one aspect, the financial models facilitate the lease of medical equipment. A rental rate for a piece of medical equipment being leased may be adjusted to account for changing conditions. The rental rate may be updated as a function of fluctuating health care insurance re-imbursement rates, fluctuating billing or other medical guidelines, the number and/or type of procedures being performed with medical equipment being leased, interest rates, and/or other factors. The dynamic calculation of the rental rate to reflect actual conditions may reduce financial risk posed to a medical practitioner or facility. Accordingly, a significant barrier of entering a highly specialized market associated with medical equipment and the medical services provided thereby may be alleviated. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094145 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY COMPLETED GENERAL RECOMMENDED WORD AND ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WORD - A system for autocompleting a general recommended word and an advertising recommended word, the system including: a first database configured to maintain an autocomplete general recommend word; a second database configured to maintain an autocomplete advertising recommended word; an autocomplete indexer component configured to index the autocomplete general recommended word and the autocomplete advertising recommended word; an autocomplete index database configured to classify and store the indexed autocomplete general recommended word and the autocomplete advertising recommended word; a web server configured to 1) receive an input query, and 2) transmit the input query to a predetermined query autocompletion server, and 3) receive the autocomplete general recommended word and the autocomplete advertising recommended word, and 4) display the autocomplete general recommended word and the autocomplete advertising recommended word; and the query autocompletion server is provided. | 04-09-2009 |
20090106132 | Electronic billing system utilizing a universal billing format data transmission - The electronic billing system comprises a means for isolating the service provider from directly engaging the billing guidelines of the consumer client through the use of a universal billing format file and a billing hub module. The billing process comprises a service provider computer system, on which specific billing data is stored, a service provider application that accesses the billing data and compiles a universal billing format file, a validation process to ensure that the billing data satisfies billing guidelines supplied by the service consumer, and a billing hub module that receives the universal billing format file and reconfigures the individual billing data entries into a client invoice that complies with the billing guidelines supplied by the service consumer. | 04-23-2009 |
20090112744 | System, Method, and Computer-Readable Medium for Mobile Loan Acquisition - A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate mobile acquisition of a loan are provided. A mobile loan system may communicatively interface with a financial institution that provides loans to mobile subscribers. A credit evaluation provider may evaluate the credit worthiness of the mobile terminal user based on a payment history of the mobile terminal account of the user. An insurance provider may issue an insurance policy against the loan to indemnify the loan provider. An invoice for the loan balance, and fees associated therewith, may be issued with the mobile terminal account service statement. | 04-30-2009 |
20090125426 | Systems and Methods for Settling an Allocation of an Amount Between Transaction Accounts - A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132400 | DATA METERING - A charging factor is determined applicable to each time interval in a period of time during which at least one data transfer was conducted. An amount of data transferred during each time interval is determined. A total charge applicable to the at least one data transfer is computed based at least in part on the charging factor applicable to each time interval and the amount of data transferred. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of potential start times and an amount of data for a data transfer are identified. A set of time intervals associated with each of the potential start times are determined. For each of the potential start times, an estimated charge applicable to the data transfer is computed based at least in part on a charging factor applicable to each of one or more time intervals associated with the potential start time and the amount of data estimated to be transferred. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132401 | Generating a Single Advice of Charge Request for Multiple Sessions in a Network Environment - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a selected communication session of a transaction associated with a prepaid end user, such that the transaction comprises a plurality of communication sessions. The method includes associating the selected communication session with the transaction and extracting data from the selected communication session associated with the transaction. The method includes generating a single advice of charge request for the transaction before the selected communication session is completed, the single advice of charge request comprising the extracted data from the selected communication session associated with the transaction. | 05-21-2009 |
20090144183 | MANAGING USER ACCOUNTS FOR STORAGE DELIVERY NETWORK - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing a plurality of unique account holders, each having dynamically controllable policies relating to storage, transfer bandwidth, file sizes, pricing options and the like. User accounts can be organized in a hierarchical structure, where an account in the hierarchical structure can manage any account beneath it. For example, a parent account can manage all of its child accounts. In one embodiment, tilling policies can be set by a parent account dictating whether its child account's usage of the system is billed to the parent account or the child account. Moreover, in one embodiment, policies set in an account are automatically inherited by all accounts beneath that account unless that account specifies otherwise. | 06-04-2009 |
20090164356 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING CHARGEBACK FOR VIRTUALIZED COMPUTING RESOURCES - Method, system and apparatus for calculating chargeback for virtualized computing resources in a virtualized environment allowing efficient use of computing resources, improving costs recovery including fixed and over-usage cost of utilizing computing resources. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164357 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE ACCOUNT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment. One method comprises dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device, preferably a cell phone. A communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due is then transmitted or delivered to a wireless communication device user. Optionally, at the same time or a later time, input from the wireless communication device user may be received regarding payment of the balance due. Such notification methods may be carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame. Generally, such methods will further comprise pre-registering or enrolling the wireless communication device user. | 06-25-2009 |
20090177566 | Method and apparatus for custom cost accounting invoicing - A method and apparatus for providing custom cost accounting invoicing. The method allows each customer to associate its proprietary accounting information and billing system with invoicing information. The method provides each customer with the ability to create various expense and other information profiles, such that custom invoices may be generated using the information provided in the profiles. | 07-09-2009 |
20090182655 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRIORITIZED DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC MAIL MESSAGES - A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame. | 07-16-2009 |
20090187501 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING, COORDINATING AND MANAGING A COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE - A system and method for facilitating, coordinating and managing the operation of a competitive marketplace via the Internet. The system and method collect bids for market services from a plurality of customers, calculators a clearing piece for the market service and calculates settlement information based on the clearing piece calculated and the bids collected. | 07-23-2009 |
20090192927 | Enhanced power outlet system incorporating a smart receptacle - The present invention relates to the field of enhanced electrical receptacles (outlets) and plugs. It is comprised of a system to identify and validate the user with acknowledgement of authorization. Power is supplied to authorized users and their power usage can be monitored, stored, and communicated to a remote device. Said usage can be used to charge the user a fee or to assess work efficiency. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198599 | Enhanced Automated Capture of Invoices into an Electronic Payment System - The recognition of invoices for multiple issuers and multiple recipients is automated. In one approach, many invoices are received. The received invoices are compared to a database of distinguishing features. These distinguishing features are for known templates of invoices from different issuers. Templates are selected for the invoices based on the comparisons to the distinguishing features. This also identifies the issuers for the invoices. Data is extracted from the invoices based on the selected templates. In this way, invoice capture can be automated. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198600 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE PREVENTION OF EXTENDED UTILITY THEFT - Notification systems and methods are provided for identifying utility theft for an entity associated with a premise under a Continuous Service Agreement with at least one utility service provider, where utility service is never turned off such that the entity may legally use utility services while a premise is vacant. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198601 | EXPENSE RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE WITH SMART DATA ENTRY - An expense recovery system for a digital MFD in the form of a modification to the application program interface of the MFD to allow input of identifiers for the user, the client and the job and to transmit this information and other transaction data to a host computer for billing purposes. Data entry is made faster and more accurate by minimizing keystrokes. The information is transmitted over a network and, optionally, the host computer may be located remote from the MFD. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204520 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING CHARGING OF NON-CHARGING CONTROLLED SERVICES - A method and apparatus for charging control of service usage in an electronic communications system. An invocation of charging control is received from a service client for service usage by a user. Charging related data and rules checked for the user and it is determined whether the session should be charging controlled. In case of a non charging controlled session, a response message is returned to the charging client, indicating that the session is not charging controlled and that the service usage is to be reported at the end-of-session. A report of usage is received—from the client—including information of the usage consumed during the session at the end-of-session. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204521 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR WEB-BASED MANAGING AND REPORTING MORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS - A system and method for web-based mortgage/loan reporting and management are provided. A electronic mortgage is created. The mortgage is reported to parties involved. A funds request can be sent to a funding party such as a financial institutions. When a funding acknowledgement has been received a final mortgage report is generated and sent to the relevant parties for confirmation of completion of the mortgage. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204522 | BAR CODED BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for payment is provided, wherein consumers pay their bills at supermarkets, large retail chain, or other stores and receive immediate credit from billers for their payments. Payments are made using a bar code printed on the bill or sent to the consumer, e.g. by fax or email. The biller receives good payment funds, deposited directly into his bank account, and error-free electronic payment data for consumer bill payments by the very next business day. The biller backdates the received bill payments to the time and date the consumer actually paid, regardless of the time that the payment data takes to post to the biller's accounts receivable system. In another aspect, a method for person-to-person money transfers is provided, wherein a bar coded deposit slip, card, or other printout permits a sender to remit funds directly into a receiver's bank account, and such funds are quickly accessible for withdrawal at a nearby automated teller machine, or for a debit card purchase. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204523 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ONLINE PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS IN A NETWORK-BASED TRANSACTION FACILITY USING MULTIPLE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS - A method and apparatus for facilitating online payment transactions between participants in a network-based transaction facility are described. In one embodiment, user interface information is communicated to a first participant via a communications network. The user interface information identifies various payment instruments available for processing online payment transactions in the network-based transaction facility. Further, payment option information is received from the first participant via the communications network. The payment option information indicates the willingness of the first participant to accept a payment from a second participant via one or more of the various payment instruments. This payment option information is passed to the second participant via the communications network. Afterwards, personal billing information is accepted from the second participant via the communications network to facilitate an online payment transaction between the first participant and the second participant. The personal billing information concerns a payment instrument selected by the second participant from the payment instruments specified by the first participant. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210332 | Method and Device for Switching Tariffs in an Electronic Communications Network - The present invention relates generally to a method and device for switching tariffs for charging of services in an electronic communications network, and more particularly to a method and device for switching tariffs for combining charging of a service which usage is not continually consumed at a regular rate in an electronic communications network. | 08-20-2009 |
20090222366 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING OPTIMAL BILL/PAYMENT SCHEDULE - A method and system for generating bill payment schedule utilizes a composite pricing module to generate payment schedule over a predetermined period of time. In one aspect, a fraction of each pricing model attributing to the composite pricing model is determined. A charge fee associated with said each pricing model based on said fraction and said total price to charge is determined. Price to charge during each time unit of the time period is allocated, based on budget over the time period, discount rate, target profit margin and risk affordance. Bill schedule is generated using the allocated price. | 09-03-2009 |
20090234762 | REMOTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A remote management system includes imaging apparatuses and a central managing apparatus configured to manage the imaging apparatuses. The imaging apparatuses and the central managing apparatus are connected to mutually communicate with each other. The respective imaging apparatuses notify the central managing apparatus of one or more counter values of one or more users, one of the counter values corresponds to a number of images processed by corresponding one of the users by using one of the imaging apparatuses. The central managing apparatus determines a fee to be charged to one of the users according to a total counter value of the one of the users. The total counter value is a sum of the counter values of the one of the users notified by the imaging apparatuses. | 09-17-2009 |
20090248555 | System and Method for Third Party Payment Processing of Credit Cards - A system and method for enabling a debtor to charge a payment to a credit card when a creditor does not accept credit card payments is provided. The system comprises a customer interface, an approval engine, a scheduling engine, a service fee engine and schedule, a currency engine and schedule, a payment engine, and a reporting engine. The method comprises the steps of receiving customer data, approving the transaction, processing the credit card charge, and paying the creditor. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248556 | DELIVERY SYSTEM - A delivery system has a plurality of delivering devices, each of which includes a storage unit having a plurality of storage spaces for storing therein recording media according to the unit of customer's order and a delivering controlling unit operable to obtain ID information associated with the recording medium, thereby realizing delivery of the recording medium associated with the ID information, a guiding device including an ID information obtaining section for obtaining the ID information from a customer, and an information outputting section for outputting information and a guiding controlling unit for controlling said information obtaining section and the information outputting section. The guiding controlling unit includes an information sharing means for referring to the recording media stored in the plurality of storage units of the delivering device and to ID information associated with the recording media via a communicating device, a specifying section for specifying one of the delivering devices which stores the recording medium associated with the ID information, based upon information from the information sharing section, when the ID information obtaining section has obtained the ID information, a specifying information producing section for producing specifying information for specifying the delivering device specified by the specifying section, and an outputting section for outputting the specifying information to the information outputting device. | 10-01-2009 |
20090254465 | Recording Resource Usage - A security module with a processor, on which applications from various providers are installed, includes a recording device for recording the access of the applications to resources of the security module, recording the total resource usage caused by an application and allocates the relevant applications to a charging station for subsequent charging. The recorded usage data are allocated to usage data sets and/or data sets on the security module directly connected to the relevant application and/or the provider thereof and thus permits billing of total resource use of each application or all the applications of a provider. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259577 | Providing Billing Instructions Associated With a New Protocol in a Network Environment - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more billing instructions, the billing instructions being operable to initiate one or more billing actions associated with one or more token combinations. The billing actions are performed when the one or more token combinations match a portion of a received protocol. The matched portion of the protocol is associated with a new, unknown, or emerging protocol or protocol extension. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265262 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSTALLMENT PAYMENT UTILIZATION - Methods and system for installment payment utilization are described. In one embodiment, a revolving balance of a credit instrument associated with a user may be accessed. The revolving balance may be at a revolving balance interest rate. An installment balance may be designated for the credit instrument. The installment balance may be associated with a payment schedule and a payment amount and be at a different interest rate than the revolving balance interest rate. The credit instrument may be updated responsive to the designation of the installment balance. | 10-22-2009 |
20090271303 | ELECTRONIC BILL PROCESS AUTOMATION - Disclosed are apparatus and methods for processing an electronic statement. In one embodiment, an electronic mail message addressed to an electronic mail address is received, the electronic mail message including bill information associated with a bill, where the bill information indicates a bill amount, a due date of the bill, a sender of the bill, and an addressee of the bill. A set of user preferences is obtained, and the bill information is processed according to the set of user preferences. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271304 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus that charges a user for executing a predetermined image process holds charging information in a storage device, charges a user for executing the predetermined image process based on charging information held in the storage device. When the charging information held in the storage device is updated, the image processing apparatus determines whether to permit the update of the charging information based on an operated state of the image processing apparatus by the user, and according to the result of determination, the image processing apparatus is controlled so that the charging information is updated if the update of the charging information is permitted, and is controlled so that the charging information is not updated if the update of the charging information is not permitted. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276345 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND ARTICLE FOR DONATIONS ON MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitate the making of donations on a mobile communication device. A plurality of non-profit icons is displayed on the mobile communication device. Information about the non-profits possibly including its logo and donation icons may be displayed in some embodiments. After selecting a non-profit icon, a user can make a donation of an indicated kind and amount to the non-profit represented by the icon. After pledging a monetary donation, a communications provider may collect the donation on the communication provider's bill and gives the donation to the indicated non-profit. Potential donors may be offered the option to make non-monetary donations, such as their time. | 11-05-2009 |
20090299884 | REMOTE SYSTEM UPGRADES IN SPECIFIC REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing remote system upgrades to utility meters in certain regulatory environments. A utility meter having a metrology section and a registry portion is provided with additional memory in the metrology section, and configured as the primary storage location for billing information. The metrology section is configured for remote upgrade of firmware associated with automatic meter reading (AMR) functions in a manner that maintains the integrity of stored billing material despite any failed upgrade of the associated AMR device or functionality | 12-03-2009 |
20090299885 | BILLING DEVICE AND PROCESSING METHOD - A billing device and processing method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) collecting a billing log according to performing a biz template at the business logic processing unit, ii) verifying validity of the collected billing log, iii) performing a standardizing process on the verified billing log, iv) generating billing data by applying a predetermined billing policy according to the standardized billing log, v) generating a billing file (MDR) to transmit to a billing legacy system of a mobile communication system using the generated billing data and vi) transmitting the generated billing file (MDR) to the billing legacy system. | 12-03-2009 |
20090307116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING WATER DISTRIBUTION - An electronic system for maintaining and controlling the use of water includes a control valve, an electronic water counter and a central computer connected to the water counter by wire, internet or wireless for opening and closing a control valve during pre-selected periods or in the event of excess usage. The system is also capable of providing water at an increased charge and subject to modification by a Smart Card. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307117 | Utility services payment system, methods and apparatus - The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for combining aspects of a prepay and post pay utility service billing arrangement. When a customer enrolls in the program with the system, utility service is initiated and a first bill is generated and transmitted; the amount of the first bill is an estimated amount of charges for the service to be provided during a first period. In subsequent billing periods, subsequent bills are generated and transmitted and each includes an estimated amount of charges for the subsequent period as well as a difference between actual and estimated charges for the service during the previous billing period, less any payments received from the customer. Service may be terminated if the customer withdraws from the program, if the customer fails to make timely payments, or for other reasons. If service is terminated, a final bill may be generated and transmitted based on actual charges, net of any amounts | 12-10-2009 |
20090307118 | FUND ON ACTIVATION - A system and method of funding a financial transaction card, providing a financial transaction card to a user, wherein the financial transaction card has a face value and wherein an amount of funds pertaining to the face value is placed in a liability account, and wherein the financial transaction card has an actual value of zero, activating the financial transaction card by the user; and funding a funds pool for the financial transaction card with the funds from the liability account after the activation of the financial transaction card, wherein only funds from the funds pool is available for conducting a purchase. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313150 | Methods associated with projection billing - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are associated with billing one or more fees that are related to projection. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313151 | Methods associated with projection system billing - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are associated with billing one or more fees that are related to projection. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313152 | Systems associated with projection billing - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are associated with billing one or more fees that are related to projection. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313153 | Systems associated with projection system billing - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are associated with billing one or more fees that are related to projection. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313154 | JOB EXECUTION APPARATUS, BILLING AND REFUNDING METHOD THEREOF AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A job execution apparatus having the function of billing and refunding by electronic money, determines before job execution, an amount of money required for job execution, and bills before job execution, the determined amount of money to a payment medium having the payment function, which is set to a billing apparatus. And the job execution apparatus can transfer a refund to the payment medium set to the billing apparatus if a refund needs to be transferred. The job execution apparatus also can transfer a refund by a method other than the method of refunding to the payment medium by using the billing apparatus. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313155 | DATA CHARGING SYSTEM, CONTENT GENERATOR, DATA CHARGING APPARATUS, AND DATA CHARGING METHOD - The present invention is directed to a system and method of charging the user for his/her use of digital contents in an easy and reliable manner. More particularly, the present invention provides a server machine | 12-17-2009 |
20090319406 | Systems and Methods for Efficient Bill Payment - A method for bill payment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information identifying an invoicing party, specifying an amount owed to the invoicing party; and an account identifier associated with a prepaid debit card, submitting the invoicing party identification, the amount owed to the invoicing party, and the account identifier to a service provider, and collecting a convenience fee. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319407 | IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, METHOD FOR PROHIBITING THE EXECUTION OF A TARGET JOB, AND A RECORDING MEDIUM THAT STORES A PROGRAM FOR PROHIBITING THE EXECUTION OF A TARGET JOB - An image formation apparatus for performing a billing process, by generating billing information of a job after executing the job and transmitting the billing information to a billing apparatus when a connection to the billing apparatus is normal, the image formation apparatus comprising: a storage for storing therein billing information; a judgment part operable to judge whether the connection to the billing apparatus is normal (step S | 12-24-2009 |
20090319408 | PROVISON APPLICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product for defining one or more payment distribution priorities associated with one or more rental properties. Rental property performance data is received from a rental property datastore. The one or more payment distribution priorities are applied to the rental property performance data to generate payment distribution data. A payment distribution report is generated. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319409 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO FACILITATE A PAYMENT IN SATISFACTION OF ACCUMULATED MICROPAYMENT COMMITMENTS TO A VENDOR - A method and a system facilitate payments between a plurality of parties. A plurality of payment commitment made to a second party is accessed, the plurality of payment commitments contributing towards a total commitment receivable value for a second party and made by a plurality of payor parties to the second party. The total commitment receivable value for the second party is calculated utilizing a risk indication, where the risk indication is based on reputation information of a party. A payment process, for payment of the total commitment receivable value by a first party to the second party, is initiated. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319410 | Inter-Network Electronic Billing - Systems and methods for electronic billing activation are provided. A request on behalf of a payer to activate electronic billing from a biller for the payer is received by a first electronic financial service provider (EFSP) that supports a first of a plurality of electronic financial service networks (EFSNs) from a second EFSP that supports a second of the plurality of EFSNs. Each of the plurality of EFSNs includes a respective plurality of billers or payers, and the biller is associated with the first EFSN and not associated with the second EFSN, while the payer is not associated with the first EFSN. In response to the received request, activation confirmation information is transmitted by the first EFSP to the second EFSP. The electronic billing activation enables subsequent electronic transmission of a bill from the biller for the payer. | 12-24-2009 |
20090327110 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ELECTRONIC BILLS - A method and system for managing electronic bills in an electronic device are provided. The method includes defining keywords of a short message; receiving the short message on the electronic device; determining whether the short message relates to the electronic bill; and extracting transaction data of the short message and generating a transaction record accordingly in response to a determination of the electronic bill. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327111 | BILL PAYMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH TELEVISION SERVICE PROVIDERS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods, and devices for a television-based bill payment system are disclosed. The methods and systems include a television system that is configured to receive and transmit user-specific information and to display a user interface. The methods and systems also include a television provider network that is operated by a television service provider, configured to transmit and receive user-specific information with the television system and the television service provider network is configured to communicate with a bill payment provider. The methods and systems include a bill payment provider that communicates with the various billers. The bill payment provider is configured to communicate with the user through the televisions service provider network, and the bill payment provider is configured to bill a funding source selected by the user from the one or more funding sources. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327112 | METHOD, DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ONLINE CHARGING ON ROAMING - A method, device and control system for online charging on roaming are provided. The method includes: receiving a roaming online charging request from a visited gateway; determining a subsequent roaming charging policy according to the roaming online charging request combined with a charging control policy; and processing charging according to the determined roaming charging policy. The provided method, device, and control system may extend the online charging scheme for roaming subscribers. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327113 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETAILED ACCOUNTING OF PACKET DATA - A method and apparatus for detailed accounting of packet data are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, on receiving a duplicated HTTP request from a packet duplication apparatus, a billing apparatus extracts an access address to generate a first hash value. Then, on receiving a converted HTTP response from the packet duplication apparatus, the billing apparatus extracts a second hash value from the duplicated HTTP response to compare with the first hash value. If the first hash value and the second hash value are the same, the billing apparatus sets the HTTP REQUEST and the converted HTTP response as a transaction to generate billing data. Thus, the billing apparatus can generate accurate billing data. | 12-31-2009 |
20100005016 | Systems, Approaches and Methods Involving Deferring Debit Payment for Debit-Card Transactions - A system and method for managing a financial institution account with a transaction card used as a deferred-debit transaction card and as an automated banking card wherein debit transactions are stored by a managing computer system for a billing cycle without being automatically debited against the account until after debit transaction activity. The card user can earn credit, or interest based on deferred debits. Also, in certain instances, a limited time period is provided relative to the billing cycle, for the user to provide funds as consideration for payment against the transaction card purchases without an automatic debiting of available funds as full consideration for payment against the deferred-debit purchases. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005017 | BILLING METHOD AND SYSTEM, AND BILL CYCLE CUT OFF MODULE - A billing method, and a billing system and a bill cycle cut off module which may be used in implementing the method, are provided. The method includes receiving an online billing message and carrying out preprocessing for the message, wherein the online billing message includes user identification information and billing information. The message further includes executing an online bill cycle cut off operation after determining that the bill cycle cut off operation is required to be triggered for an account related to the user identification information, obtaining a result of the bill cycle cut off, and carrying out a rating and billing operation according to the billing information so as to complete billing. The provided method can be applied to implement a real-time online bill cycle cut off and avoid loss resulted from out-of-time bill cycle cut off. Moreover, the provided method may incorporate online billing and offline billing, can be implemented flexibly, and can easily realize individualized bill cycle setting. During the account cancellation process for the user, the provided method may can shorten the waiting time of the user and improve customer satisfaction. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010924 | ENERGY CREDIT HARVESTING - The harvesting of energy credits due to the transformation of a real estate property. The transformation results in improved energy usage of the real estate property, resulting in energy credits being earned by the owner of the real estate property. The energy credits are obtained by monitoring the power usage of the real estate property before the transformation, and after the transformation. An entity other than the owner of the real estate property facilitates the transformation by providing products or instructions that help make the transformation, or perhaps even by the entity taking at least partially responsibility for making the transformation. In consideration for the facilitation of the transformation, the entity receives at least a portion of the energy credits that result from the transformation. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017316 | AUTOMATED EXPENSE REPORT - Creating an expense report automatically by using transactions, business rules and profile information stored by a payment processor is disclosed. The payment processor streamlines and automates the end-to-end expense reporting and reimbursement processes for a company. The review, submission, approval, payment, tracking and reporting associated with employee expense reporting are accomplished by the payment processor through automated, no-touch (or minimal touch) processes. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017317 | HANDLING OF OPEN RESERVATIONS IN REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENT - A method of operating a communications system comprises, during a communications session involving a user of the communications system, making one or more reservations toward a postpaid account for a user, the postpaid account for the user being maintained in a real time account record. The method further comprises, upon receipt of a trigger signal, in conjunction with the reservation(s) assessing the account for the user only for the reservation(s) which have been evaluated by an interrogation. The method also comprises, upon close of billing period for the session, in conjunction with any yet-evaluated reservation(s): (1) assessing the account for the user only for a part of the yet-evaluated reservation(s) that is actually utilized; and (2) deleting from the account for the user any unused part of the yet-evaluated reservation(s). | 01-21-2010 |
20100030675 | Payor focused business to business electronic invoice presentment and accounts payable reconciliation system and method - The present invention provides a system that creates a secure image of an invoice accessible to the payors and their billers through the web. Users have the option of viewing the invoice and adjudicating any disputes prior to payment. Once a payment decision has been made, payors can generate one stream of output from their enterprise resource program (ERP) systems to make payments to all of their vendors irrespective of the mode of payment. Payments will be made to all billers based on their existing preferences and the billers do not have to change their processes at all. The payments and issues file will be returned to the payors to complete posting to their accounts payables. The system provides data-feeds to all payors and billers to pre-reconcile their A/P and A/R systems. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036761 | MULTI-COMPANY BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAME INCLUDING ACCOUNT PAYABLE - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method for Account Payable (AP) accounting for a multi-company group is provided. The method comprises recording a voucher with a multi-company accounting system including entering input voucher detail lines into the system. At least two of the input voucher detail lines are associated with two distinct companies of the multi-company group. The system automatically adds at least a pair of multi-company generated balancing lines associated with the voucher for balancing money owed by each of the distinct companies to define an outstanding balance associated with each of the distinct companies. A payment is recorded in the system to reduce the outstanding balances and system automatically adds a pair of multi-company generated “Due To/Due From” lines as “Due To/Due From” entries to balance the money owed between the distinct companies. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036762 | System and Method for Tracking a Billing Cycle - A system for tracking a billing cycle in a billing system includes a data tracking engine and a rule-based engine. The rule-based engine retrieves information from the billing system during the billing cycle based on a set of rules, and provides the data to the data tracking engine. The data tracking engine generates status information and reports based on the data. The status information and reports can be accessed via a web client to monitor the billing cycle. Additionally, the rule-based engine identifies events in the billing cycle and generates a notification to alert a person if the event is not successfully completed according to a billing schedule. The notification can be accessed via a web client or a wireless communications device. The rule-based engine can subsequently issue an escalated notification to alert another user if the event has not successfully completed at a later time. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042522 | AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC REMINDER DELIVERY - Users are sent electronic reminders informing them that outstanding debts are due. The user can customize the list of sent reminders to include some or all of the user's outstanding debt. The user can further select times for reminder delivery, and the user is notified for a period of time prior to the due date of debt that the debt is due. Once a debt has been paid, the user can notify the system sending the reminders that the debt is paid in order to stop the reminders from being sent. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042523 | Sponsored Facsimile to E-Mail Transmission Methods and Apparatus - A method for sending an e-mail message comprises receiving a transmission instruction page, entering a plurality of text entries from a user on the transmission instruction page to form a filled-in transmission instruction page, wherein the plurality of text entries includes an e-mail address, and sending a facsimile to a facsimile server, wherein the facsimile includes the filled-in transmission instruction page and one or more pages of a document, wherein the facsimile server converts the facsimile into an e-mail attachment, wherein the facsimile server sends the e-mail message including a service provider indicator and the e-mail attachment to the e-mail address, wherein the facsimile server optically derives the e-mail address from the transmission instruction page of the facsimile, and wherein facsimile server need not know the e-mail address prior to receiving the facsimile. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049639 | Energy Transaction Broker for Brokering Electric Vehicle Charging Transactions - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for brokering a charging process of an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a process extracts event data associated with the charging process from a charge notification in response to receiving the charge notification indicating that the charging process of the electric vehicle is complete. The event data may include, but is not limited to, duration of the charging process, quantity of electricity transferred, or rate at which electricity was transferred during the charging process. The process then identifies, from an energy transaction plan, a set of payees participating in the charging process. Thereafter, the process disburses a payment owed to the set of payees. An amount of the payment is calculated using payment terms in profiles of the set of payees. The payment includes funds from at least one of a payer fund and an incentive fund. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049640 | CHARGING ENABLER - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing charging functions. According to one embodiment, a method of charging for services on a communication network can comprise receiving a request to perform a charging function from an application via a northbound interface of a charging enabler. The northbound interface can provide an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions. The charging function can be requested from a network resource via a southbound interface of the charging enabler. The southbound interface can provide an interface specific to the network resource. Results of the charging function can be received from the network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and returned to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049641 | Computer architecture for managing courseware in a shared use operating environment - Methods, devices, and systems are provided in a multi-level computer architecture which provides improved capabilities for managing courseware and other content in a shared use operating environment such as a computer network. In particular, the invention provides a commercial networked instruction content delivery method and system which does not exclude synchronous sharing but is focused on asynchronous sharing. Security means in the architecture provide content property holders with the ability to know how many minutes of use an individual made of licensed material and with increased certainty that their material cannot be used, copied, or sold in usable form unless and until a user site is connected or reconnected to a minute-by-minute counter which is located off the premises of the user. This security link helps protect software and other works which are being sold or licensed to an individual, organization, or entity, and creates income opportunities for owners of such content. | 02-25-2010 |
20100063910 | PROVIDING A UNIFIED VIEW OF CONTRACT REVENUE AND INVOICE DETAILS - Systems and methods are provided that provide a unified view of invoice and revenue information for a contract. One embodiment includes receiving a request to display information about a contract, and displaying, in response to the request, a financial summary interface including invoice and revenue information for the contract in the same financial summary interface. The invoice and revenue information for the contract may include contract value, invoiced amount, accrued revenue, and backlog amount. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063911 | BILLING SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION DISPERSAL SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a processing module and a network interface. The processing module is operably coupled to: accessing user level metadata based on account identifier to identify a plurality of files associated with a user and retrieve user level metadata for the plurality of files; access file level metadata associated with the plurality of files to retrieve, for each of the plurality of files, file level metadata and determine, for each of the plurality of files, a plurality of file slices associated with a corresponding file of the plurality of files; and generate billing transaction information based on the user level metadata and the file level metadata of the plurality of files. The network interface is operably coupled to: convert the billing transaction information into a network billing transaction information message and transmit it. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063912 | MULTI-COMPANY BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAME INCLUDING ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method for Account Receivable (AR) accounting for a multi-company accounting system is provided. The method comprises creating an invoice with the system. An interface user enters input invoice detail lines into the system. The input invoice detail lines are associated with at least two distinct companies of the multi-company group. The multi-company accounting system automatically adds at least a pair of multi-company generated balancing lines associated with the invoice for balancing money owed to each of the distinct companies to define an outstanding balance for each company. A payment is applied to the invoice to reduce the outstanding balances and system automatically adding at least a pair of multi-company generated “Due To/Due From” lines as “Due To/Due From” entries to balance the money owed between the distinct companies. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063913 | METHOD FOR CHARGING ON-LINE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE SERVICES - An approach for providing an on-line directory assistance service system for charging the directory assistance services that are provided over a packet switched network is disclosed. The system includes a server that tracks the number of directory listings that are transmitted to and displayed on a client access device (e.g., non-PC devices) and to prepare billing information based upon the number of directory listings. The system also includes a database that is coupled to the server and that stores the directory listings. | 03-11-2010 |
20100070396 | Virtual redaction service - A redaction system including a system for receiving an electronic version of a first document; a system for generating an electronic version of a second document which is a redacted version of the first document, wherein the system for generating includes a computer having a redaction engine coupled to a source of redaction rules; and a system for transmitting the second document from the redaction system. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070397 | RESOURCE-ALLOCATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND APPROACH WITH RESOURCE POOLING - Transaction management for resource pools is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of transactions for different transaction parties involved with different transactions. Resources are allocated for the transactions using a pool of resources, with an associated fee assessed against one or more of the transaction parties for the allocated resource. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076878 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A ROAD PRICING SCHEME - A vehicle monitoring device, comprising: a location device for determining location data indicating a location of a vehicle during a journey between an origin point and a destination point; a fuel consumption device for determining fuel consumption data indicating an amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle during the journey, or an emission measurement device for determining emission data indicating an amount of emission produced by the vehicle during the journey; and a vehicle monitoring processor for receiving and processing the location data and the fuel consumption data. A vehicle charging device, comprising: a vehicle charging processor for receiving and processing location data indicating a location of a vehicle comprising a vehicle monitoring device during a journey between an origin point and a destination point, and fuel consumption data indicating an amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle during the journey from the vehicle monitoring device or emission data indicating an amount of emission produced by the vehicle during the journey from the vehicle monitoring device; and a road fee calculator for calculating a fee associated with the at least one vehicle monitoring device based on the received data. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076879 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING SERVICES VIA PEER-TO-PEER-BASED NEXT GENERATION NETWORK - A peer-to-peer network comprises a plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, each intelligent terminal node being operable to establish, maintain, and tear-down communication sessions with another intelligent terminal node, a plurality of network service nodes coupled to the plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, the plurality of network service nodes comprise at least one of the plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, at least one user P2P function module operable to store, locate and distribute service resource information related to user policies, and at least one network P2P function module operable to store, locate and distribute service resource information related to operator provider policies, and operable to exert stricter security control than the at least one user P2P function module. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076880 | Third-Party Billing System and Method - A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer. To fulfill the transaction, the consumer sends a fulfillment request and a consumer identifier to the merchant computer. The consumer identifier can be anonymous, meaning that it identifies only the destination to which the product is to be delivered. If that consumer identifier matches a second consumer identifier that the consumer sends to the billing computer, the merchant computer then delivers the product to the consumer. The billing computer can charge the transaction to the consumer billing account directly, or it can aggregate the transaction for later charging of an aggregated total. The billing computer can also obtain a charge pre-authorization to ensure that the billing account can accommodate the charging of aggregated transactions. | 03-25-2010 |
20100082466 | BENEFICIARY INITIATED P2P, P2B PAYMENT MODEL - A system and method that allows a Payee to request payment from a Payor is disclosed. The system allows the Payee to issue an invoice in electronic form detailing the payment request to the Payor. The system further allows the Payor to pay the invoice using a suitable payment means, such as a credit card, without requiring any infrastructure investment on the part of the Payee. Finally, the system does not require that the Payee receive funds from the Payor in a specific account that is associated with the system. The system allows the Payee to receive their funds in any account specified by the Payee. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082467 | PHONE AND METHOD OF USING THE PHONE FOR BENEFICIARY INITIATED PAYMENTS - A phone containing a data bearing medium and a method of using that phone to allow a Payee to request payment from a Payor is disclosed. The data bearing medium contains instructions to direct the phone to enable the Payee to issue an invoice in electronic form detailing the payment request to the Payor. The phone further allows the Payor to pay the invoice using a suitable payment means, such as a credit card, without requiring any infrastructure investment on the part of the Payee. Finally, the phone does not require that the Payee receive funds from the Payor in a specific account. The phone allows the Payee to receive their funds in any account specified by the Payee. | 04-01-2010 |
20100088205 | Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products for a Cloud Computing Spot Market Platform - This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for a cloud computing spot market platform (hereinafter, “Platform”). Fluctuations in demand for computing resources may engender idle processing capacity within the framework of a cloud computing system. Embodiments of the Platform provide infrastructure for redistributing idle capacity to grid-style batch computing processes, such as may be based on the same processing resources as those used by the cloud computing system. In this manner, Platform embodiments may increase the utilization of idle resources and reduce revenue losses associated with demand variability for cloud computing system administrators. In one embodiment, market-oriented floating prices for grid-style batch computing utilizing idle resources may be implemented based on monitored and analyzed levels of computing resource supply and demand. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088206 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS ELECTRONIC PAYMENT PROCESSING - Embodiments presented herein address the shortcomings and problems discussed above by providing systems and methods for a central system that conducts business-to-business (B2B) payments. In embodiments, a B2B gateway receives payment instructions from one or more buyers. The payment instructions may be received over one of several different systems, for example, a credit card association system or an electronic invoice presentment and payment (EIPP) system. The B2B gateway organizes the payment instructions according to the supplier being paid and the payment system that will be used for the payment. The payment systems may include, but are not limited to, credit card platforms, ACH payments, mailed checks, etc. The suppliers can receive two or more payments from two or more buyers through the B2B gateway. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088207 | Method and System for Linkage of Generally Available Healthcare Accounts to Credit Card - A general-purpose payment card product is linked to a designated reimbursement account. A payment card authorization request is obtained, with a full amount and a reimbursement eligible amount included therein, based on a transaction with the payment card product at a merchant. In one aspect, a payment card authorization response is returned to the merchant from an issuer of the payment card product, based on the full amount. A funding request is initiated, for the reimbursement eligible amount, from the designated reimbursement account. The payment card product and the designated reimbursement account are managed separately. In an alternative, the authorization request is intercepted by an operator of a payment network. The operator initiates a first operator authorization request for the reimbursement eligible amount, and a second operator authorization request for the full amount less the portion of the reimbursement eligible amount, and returns a coordinated response to the merchant. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088208 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING SHIPPING - There is provided a system and method for facilitating shipping. An exemplary method comprises providing a shipping bill form at a front-end of a computer system. The exemplary method also comprises enabling a user at the front-end to fill in shipping information associated with the shipping bill form and to send an email message or an instant message incorporating the filled in shipping bill form to a back-end of the computer system. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094735 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED PAYMENTS - Techniques for defining and customizing payment rules and automatically paying charges in accordance with the rules is described. A charge is settled and the charge is posted to an account, for example a credit card account, in the form of a settlement record. An automated payments engine compares the settlement record against payment conditions of one or more payment rules. If a payment condition is satisfied, the automated payments engine initiates a payment according to a payment method associated with the satisfied payment condition. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094736 | Arrangement and Method for Providing Data - In an arrangement and the corresponding method for providing data MM | 04-15-2010 |
20100094737 | UTILITY COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN CONCEPT - A system for recharging the batteries in an electrically powered vehicle which is owned or operated by an authorized party and wherein the recharging of the batteries is carried carried out at a site away from the premises owned or controlled by the authorizing party includes (a) first communication means for communicating between the site and an electrical utility for requesting the recharging of the batteries at the site, (b) authorization confirmation means for confirming that the authorized party is in fact authorized to recharge the batteries at the site, (c) second communication means between the electrical utility and the site for confirming authorization of the authorized party and for enabling the recharging of the batteries at the site, and (d) accounting means for calculating the cost of recharging the batteries and properly assessing that cost to the authorized party. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094738 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Metrics-Based Prioritization of Billing Exceptions - A computer-based billing system presents, via an end-user interface, a plurality of exceptions as have occurred with respect to corresponding billing events as pertain to a plurality of billed parties while also presenting exceptions metrics as pertain to this plurality of exceptions. These exceptions metrics include at least one age-related metric, at least one financial-related metric, and at least one count-related metric. These teachings then further provide for permitting the end user to selectively prioritize the presenting of the plurality of exceptions as a function of at least one of these exceptions metrics. | 04-15-2010 |
20100100465 | TRUSTED THIRD PARTY AUTHENTICATION AND NOTARIZATION FOR EMAIL - A system and method for providing trustworthy processing of electronic messages applies the digital signature of a trusted third party to a message en route from the sender to a recipient. The signature is preferably applied, so that it is compliant with the S/MIME standard. The use of a trusted third party applying the digital signature allows for simplified timestamping of the message and reduces the complexity of verification of the authenticity of an archived message. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100466 | Dual Source Remittance Processing - A method and apparatus for electronically processing bill payment requests where respective sets of payment requests are received electronically from a plurality of independent sources, each set of payment requests corresponding to an associated set of payors requesting payments to a plurality of payees. The payment requests are processed at a single remittance processing system having a database including payee information for each of the plurality of payees to generate payment directions for paying the plurality of payees in accordance with the processed payment requests. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100467 | CREDIT CARD SUPPORTED ELECTRONIC PAYMENT - A payment service provider receives a request to pay a payee on behalf of a payor and determines, responsive to the received request, that the payee will not accept the requested payment via a charge to a credit card account of the payor with a credit card issuer. The payor wishes to fund the requested payment from the credit card account. Accordingly, the payment service provider transmits, to the credit card issuer, account information identifying the credit card account and payment information representing the requested payment for inclusion in a credit card statement of the credit card issuer to the payor for the credit card account. However, the payment service provider directs the requested payment to the payee on behalf of the payor from a payment account other than the credit card account. | 04-22-2010 |
20100106631 | BATTERY CHARGER - The present invention provides a battery charger capable of charging a plurality of secondary batteries which are used in different types of apparatuses, such as an electric vehicle and a mobile power supply unit, in a simultaneous or concurrent manner without largely occupying an installation space on the ground. A DC power supply section 22 includes a plurality of DC stabilized power supply circuits each operable to supply an output according to required electric power, therefrom in an independent manner. Specifically, based on information from each of a plurality of secondary batteries, and information set up/input through a setup/input section, one of or a combination of two or more of the DC stabilized power supply circuits is selected for each of the secondary batteries. Then, an electric power supply line between the selected one of or the selected combination of two or more of the DC stabilized power supply circuits and each of the secondary batteries to be charged is configured, and an output of the selected one of or the selected combination of two or more of the DC stabilized power supply circuits is adjusted. This makes it possible to configure respective electric power supply lines for the secondary batteries to allow the secondary batteries to be concurrently charged, and adjust respective electric power amounts to be supplied to the secondary batteries, individually. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106632 | Method of Marketing and Contracting for the Sale of Agricultural Yield-Increase Related Products - A method of contracting for the sale of a yield-increase and/or crop protection related products includes the steps of mapping, using geo-referencing technology, areas of a field which have been treated with the yield-increase and/or crop protection related product and areas of the field which have not been treated, measuring, using geo-referencing technology, an amount of harvested crop from the field in both the treated and untreated areas, comparing the amount of harvested crop in the treated areas with the amount of harvested crop in the untreated areas to determine a yield increase associated with the treated areas, and charging for application of the yield-increase and/or crop protection related product based on the determined amount of yield increase. The data acquired may be stored in a database for further use and comparison. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114742 | SERVICE CHARGING METHOD, DEVICE, SYSTEM AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT DEVICE - A method for charging for a service is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a data service management device, submitted current communication service scenario information of a user; searching, by the data service management device, for priority information of charging in an account of the user, in a mapping relation between a communication service scenario and a charging priority of the account, according to the received current communication service scenario information of the user; pricing, in the account of the user according to the found priority information, and submitting a priced result to an intelligence network; and charging, by the intelligence network, the account of the user sequentially according to the submitted priced result. A device and a system for charging for a service, and a service management device are also provided. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121748 | Configuring field programmable devices - A method for reconfiguring a circuit configuration of a configurable hardware device via a communication network. The method includes transmitting via the communication network from a hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device in response to a request from a user of the configurable hardware device to reconfigure the configurable hardware device, implementing the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device thereby reconfiguring the configurable hardware device and providing a reconfigured hardware device and billing the user in response to a determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device. A user unit in a communication network is also disclosed. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131395 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH REAL-TIME DRAW NOTIFICATION FEATURES - A system and method for managing a construction payment process. According to one method, a construction project management server receives draw initiation information from a device including a selection of a date on which a draw will be executed and a selection of one or more participants to receive a notification of the draw. The server accesses previously stored notification preference information stored on a computer readable memory that corresponds to one or more of the selected participants and transmits a notification to each of the selected one or more participants based upon the notification preference information. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131396 | Bill Payment Methods - A method for paying bills is provided. The method includes receiving a list of creditors from a customer, calculating an average of a customer's periodic bills from the creditors, paying the periodic bills of the creditor on behalf of the customer, and charging the customer average periodic payments. The method may further include charging the customer a fee in addition to the average periodic payments. In one aspect, the customer makes periodic payments to a bill servicing entity. In another aspect, the bill servicing entity receives a monthly check on behalf of the customer, and then pays the customer an allowance after the averaged periodic payments are deducted. | 05-27-2010 |
20100138330 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DETERMINING VARIABLE BILLING INFORMATION FOR CONTENT AS A COMMUNICATION SERVICE - In a criterion module, variable billing information for content stored in a storage module in the communications network is formed in accordance with specified criteria. These criteria can be, for example, the age of the content, the distance of the subscriber terminal from the relevant location of location-related content, or the number of subscriber terminals to which the content is transmitted. This variable billing information is then transmitted via a communications module to a billing system. A substantial advantage of the method and the system relates to the fact that the charges for content transmitted via communications networks to subscribers can be billed according to variable criteria in a flexible way. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145837 | NETWORK FOR AUTHENTICATION, AUTHORIZATION, AND ACCOUNTING OF RECHARGING PROCESSES FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICALLY POWERED PROPULSION SYSTEMS - The Network for Authentication, Authorization, And Accounting Of Recharging Processes For Vehicles Equipped With Electrically Powered Propulsion Systems uses a unique identification of the associated Self-Identifying Outlet and the power consumption as metered on the Self-Reporting Vehicle to enable the Self-Reporting Vehicle to report the Self-Reporting Vehicle's power consumption to the utility company to enable the utility company to bill the vehicle owner and credit the account of the Self-Identifying Outlet for the power consumed by the recharging of the vehicular battery banks. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145838 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING ACCOUNTING DATA CAPABILITIES - A method for opening accounting data capabilities includes: by a unified accounting data management system, receiving a Balance Control Request (BCR) from a charging system, where the BCR carries a request type; performing an accounting data management operation corresponding to the request type; and returning a Balance Control Answer (BCA) to the charging system, where the BCA carries a result of the accounting data management operation. A system for opening accounting data capabilities is also provided. According to the present invention, the accounting data of the user is sharable between the charging systems, and a specific implementation mode for interactions in the accounting data management is provided. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145839 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYER (BUYER) DEFINED ELECTRONIC INVOICE EXCHANGE - A method of implementing buyer and seller transactions is provided. A set of rules for accepting information into a document is received from the buyer. Also defined is the form of the presentation of an interface to the seller for creating the seller's invoice. The seller also receives address information from the buyer. The rules for accepting information, the rules regarding presentation and the address information are stored in a storage resource. The rules regarding presentation are accessed from the storage resource, and an interface is presented to the seller based on those rules. The rules for accepting information are accessed from the storage resource, and information for the document based on those rules is accepted through the interface. The address information is accessed from the storage resource, and the document with the accepted information is sent to the buyer. | 06-10-2010 |
20100153246 | POINT CODE TO BILLING ID - A method includes maintaining a repository of location identifiers and billing identifiers, wherein each of a plurality of network devices is associated with a location identifier in the repository, and each location identifier is further associated with at least one billing identifier. The method further includes receiving a communications message; determining a location identifier associated with the communications message; selectively retrieving a billing identifier from the repository based at least in part on the location identifier; and determining a billing rate based at least in part on the billing identifier. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153247 | BALANCE EXCEPTION MANAGEMENT - Systems (and methodologies) that put consumers in control of NSF/OD (Not Sufficient Funds/Overdraft) fee management are provided. In accordance with the innovation, fees are solely dependent on time to cure a negative balance. In aspects, customers are charged a “per day” or “per diem” rate for NSF and/or OD conditions. By charging a per diem rate, customers are incentivized to cure a negative balance as the fee amount increases as time elapses throughout the balance exception cycle. Additionally, customers can be notified of balance exception situations. The notifications can sent based upon policies, preferences, rules or inferences. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153248 | Portable Service Agnostic Access - Methods are disclosed which relate to providing and billing for a service through a network regardless of the type of transport used to access the network. A customer who wishes to have a certain service first selects a transport. Transport options can be limited by the customer's location and bandwidth needs, but not by the service the customer desires. Once a transport option is selected it is installed and the customer receives the service through the transport by accessing a network. If a customer already has a transport and access to a network but desires another service, then the desired service can be simply added onto the existing access and billed accordingly. The transport type and service are calculated independently for billing purposes. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153249 | Making Payment Using Communication Client - Disclosed are a method and a system for making a payment to a third party using a communication client such as a mobile phone. The payment is made through an intermediary platform adapted for establishing communication between the communication client and the third-party subsystem. The intermediary platform receives a call-in request from the communication client, determines whether the communication client has a mobile telephone number, and further determines whether the mobile telephone number has a payment account bound therewith. If affirmative, the intermediary platform accepts a payment request from the communication client, and makes a deduction from the payment account in order to complete the payment. The intermediary platform may also be used to make a payment to the third-party through a network client such as a PC. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153250 | SERVICE UTILIZATION ID NUMBER SETTLEMENT SYSTEM - A settling system has a medium ( | 06-17-2010 |
20100153251 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OZONE GAS DISTRIBUTION - An apparatus and method to distribute ozone is described. In one embodiment, one or more ozone systems are in communication with a control center. The central control center receives ozone quality and delivery data from the ozone systems. The control center processes the ozone quality and delivery data to determine the amount and type of ozone dispensed. The ozone quality and delivery data is also used to generate ozone consumption data used to determine the cost of the ozone gas dispensed to the customer. In one embodiment, the control center generates an ozone usage bill based on the amount of ozone consumed. The control center also may remotely manage the one or more ozone systems such that if a customer exceeds a billing threshold, the control center may turn off the one or more systems. In another embodiment, the one or more ozone systems may be responsive to an allocation processing system that controls the amount of ozone dispensed via a key code. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161464 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER CODE FOR FINDING OUTLIER HYPER CELLS IN MULTIDI-MENTIONAL HIERACHICAL DATA SETS - A method and system for identifying outlier hyper-cells in an N-dimensional hierarchical datset having dimensions {x1,…xN} are provided. In some embodiments, the method is applied recursively where (i) in accordance with outlier ‘scores,’ hypercells of a hypcell set P | 06-24-2010 |
20100161465 | Systems and Methods for Managing Charitable Contributions and Community Revitalization - A system and method for managing charitable contributions and community revitalization includes efficiently providing donations to charities, matching donors with recipients, identifying entities and organizations that may be able to help a community meet the development goals thereof, and facilitating communications between information providers and individuals seeking information. The system and method also include developing a social network of individuals and organizations who are interested in the charitable contributions and community revitalization, and providing information regarding donations made by members of the social network and other contributors. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161466 | ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX USING DIGITALLY ORIGINATED CHECKS - The present disclosure provides a digitally originated check (DOC) through an electronic payment system (EPS) which captures payor metadata instructions regarding the intended payment to a payee. The metadata is stored in a database or the like for further processing instead of printing a paper check. The DOC can be cleared either electronically or through a paper substitute check through Check 21 clearing methods. The present invention enables both payors and payees to participate with the EPS as well as the EPS may provide electronic lock box services to payees. The DOC may be used in an electronic lockbox application where in addition to the payment information; the DOC further includes remittance data that may be used to update accounting systems or the like. | 06-24-2010 |
20100169195 | Preventing unauthorized distribution of content on computer networks - A method of interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network comprises receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network; determining whether the query relates to the protected content; and in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device. An apparatus, computer program and system of network sentries is also provided. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169196 | Food Vending Machine System Incorporating a High Speed Stored Energy Oven - A novel vending machine system integrating a food storage container and a high speed stored energy cooking oven capable of cooking foods in under one minute such as that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006 as well as co-pending application “Wire Mesh Thermal Radiative Element and Use in a Radiative Oven” filed on Dec. 30, 2008 by De Luca. The invention disclosing a novel configuration for the oven incorporating storage, a system allowing for the proper cooking of items and food positioning, an activation system, and an invoicing system. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169197 | CONSOLIDATING LEADS RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL RENTERS FOR BILLING A LISTER - In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated to bill a lister using consolidated leads received from potential renters. The system and method include receiving from at least one potential renter, at least one lead directed to a property listing associated with a lister. The system and method include consolidating two or more leads received from the same potential renter into a lead group. The system and method further include billing the lister according to the number of distinct leads received from potential renters counting each lead group as a distinct lead. In some example embodiments, the system and method further include setting a specified listing period for the lister and checking whether the specified listing period has expired before counting a received lead. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169198 | BILLING A LISTER FOR LEADS RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL RENTERS WITHIN A LEAD THRESHOLD - In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated to bill a lister for lead received from potential renters within a lead threshold. The system and method include setting a lead threshold for a lister. The lead threshold may specify a maximum number of leads relating to a property listing that will be communicated to the lister. The system and method include receiving a lead from potential renters. The lead may be related to the property listing associated with the lister. The system and method include automatically determining whether the lead threshold has been exceeded. The system and method include communicating the lead to the lister based on a determination that the lead threshold has not been exceeded. The system and method further include billing the lister according to a number of leads related to the property listing communicated to the lister. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169199 | Method for In-Cab Driver Operation - A method for transporting cargo using a truck is provided. Preferably, the method is used in connection with full truckload operations. The method generally includes powering up a communications module residing within a cab of the truck. The communications module comprises a vehicle navigation system, a modem for receiving telecommunications signals, a processing unit for associating instructions for cargo delivery locations with geo-positioning coordinates, and a user interface. The method further includes receiving a cargo delivery data set at the communications module. The data set is sent from a host trucking management system. The data set provides at least a first cargo delivery location for the driver. The method then includes the driver acknowledging receipt of the first cargo delivery location through the user interface. Acknowledgment of receipt of the first cargo delivery location causes a signal to be sent from the communications module to the host trucking management system. The method also includes driving the truck and cargo to the first cargo delivery location. Upon arrival, the host trucking management system is informed. This is done by sending a first arrival signal from the communications module. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174629 | Metered Delivery of Wireless Power - A system is disclosed for charging or billing for access to wireless power. The device requiring power communicates with the power provider and the billing method is determined. A consumer may be required to provide billing information, or if the billing information is already associated with an existing account, the consumer account is automatically charged for the wireless power. The account may include prepaid charging minutes that are debited as wireless power is provided, or the account may be billed for the wireless power that is provided. The charging/billing for the wireless power may be used to receive value for the power that is provided, while remaining consumer friendly. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174630 | CHARGING METHOD, CHARGING NETWORK ELEMENT, CHARGING SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A charging method, a charging network element, a charging system, and a communication system are disclosed. Network elements are categorized into a master network element and a slave network element; charging control is triggered by the master network element, and the slave network element is responsible for reporting the charging data without credit control. In the charging process, credit control is performed for the master network element in view of the charging data of the slave network element, and centralized charging is performed at the master network element. Compared with the prior art, the disclosure simplifies the charging process, reduces the load of processing and interaction between the charging system and the charging network element, and saves the system resources. | 07-08-2010 |
20100179895 | DIGITAL CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS AND RELATED MACHINES - Digital content delivery system and method are provided. The system includes a central management system and a delivery machine coupled to the central management system via a network. The delivery machine includes a storage unit including a plurality of DRM (Digital Rights Management) contents, a user interface, and a connection interface. The delivery machine receives a selection of at least one of the DRM contents via the user interface, and transmits order information corresponding to the selection of the selected DRM content to the central management system via the network. The central management system generates a rights object for the selected DRM content according to the order information, and transmits the rights object to the delivery machine. The delivery machine transmits the selected DRM content and the rights object to a storage device via the connection interface. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179896 | Systems and Methods for International Shipping and Brokerage Operations Support Processing - Systems and methods are disclosed for a brokerage operations support system to facilitate international shipping of goods into a country. The system receives information pertaining to a shipment and rates the shipment for a specific country by applying rules defined for the country's customs regulations. Status information of the shipment is received by the system, including whether the shipment has cleared the importing country's customs process. If the shipment has not cleared, the handling systems ensure the shipment is withheld from delivery until clearance is obtained. A flexible system architecture comprising a server and both attended and unattended workstations for a core system that can be modified to allow rating and processing of shipments occur in various modes to accommodate the procedures for each importing country. | 07-15-2010 |
20100185537 | HOME NETWORKING USING LTE RADIO - A system and methodology that facilitates management of a single identity and billing relationship for multiple UE (user equipment) associated with a subscriber is provided. Specifically, each of the multiple UEs can employ LTE (Long Term Evolution) radio technology to authenticate and register with a femto access point. Further, the transport level billing associated with the multiple UE can be facilitated by the femto access point by employing a femto id (identity) and/or credentials. Moreover, the femto access point can be employed by the multiple UEs as a network hub and can be employed by the UEs to perform authentication to connect to a core network. In addition, the femto access point can determine an authorized IP cloud associated with a registered UE and allow the registered UE to access only the authorized IP cloud. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185538 | CONTENT ACCESS WITH HANDHELD DOCUMENT DATA CAPTURE DEVICES - Embodiments of the disclosed innovations provide systems and methods for automatically locating and retrieving digital supplemental materials and counterparts of rendered documents. These systems and methods are especially useful when the provider or copyright holder of the digital document charges a fee for access to the digital materials. Some embodiments solve the technical problem of allowing a user to access restricted digital content associated with a rendered document via a search string captured from the rendered document. Some embodiments further provide automatic intermediation to gain access to protected digital materials. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185539 | ELECTRONIC CARGO PAYMENT SYSTEM - Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to an electronic cargo payment system and methods for electronically and automatically processing electronic payments for goods shipped by carriers for shippers. In embodiments, the accounts receivable system of the carrier transfers one or more invoices to a central payment system. The central payment system stores and organizes the invoices. A shipper communicates with the central payment system to view invoices related to that shipper. Upon approval of the invoice, the central payment system can automatically pay the invoice for the shipper and to the carrier. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185540 | ORDER-RESOURCE FULFILLMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND APPROACH - Historical data is used to manage and authorize payment for merchant offerings for transactions among a plurality of transaction parties. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, invoiced item quantities are processed using historical fulfilled and billed quantities of each item. If invoiced item quantities involved items that have been fulfilled but not billed, payment for the invoiced items is authorized. If some or all of the invoiced items have not been fulfilled or have been previously billed, payment authorization is withheld for at least the portion of unfulfilled or previously billed (and paid) invoiced items. With this approach, historical information relative to order fulfillment and payment status is used to automatically process invoices (e.g., audit the invoices for payment). | 07-22-2010 |
20100185541 | NETWORK SERVICE FOR MODULARLY CONSTRUCTING A SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO - Systems and methods are provided that disclose a network service for modularly constructing a software defined radio (“SDR”). A server system provides an SDR kernel (i.e., a potentially platform-neutral definition of digital signal processing functionality and control operations necessary to implement the core portion of a software defined radio implementing a particular radio standard) to a client system. The client system may select a desired SDR kernel through a variety of means disclosed herein. While some SDR kernels may be provided for free and unrestricted use, others may be purchased or subscribed to and additionally restricted by digital rights management (“DRM”) policies. Based upon the agreed upon payment terms and any other restrictions, a customized set of DRM policies may be applied by the server system to the SDR kernel before sending it to a client system. Additionally, the server system may provide a description of governmental regulations applicable to a given locality. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191631 | QUANTITATIVE MEDIA VALUATION METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method and system are disclosed for transforming accessing of a displayed content by at least one person into an overall billed value. An exemplary embodiment comprises providing a display device that displays content, tracking the respective gazes of people near and in front of the displayed content, determining if, when and how long each person views, i.e., acquires, the display, transforming the acquisition data into a billing value by, e.g., determining a billing value for each acquisition based on the numbers of acquisitions and length of each acquisition, summing the billing values for all the respective viewings, and billing the client for the summed billing values. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198712 | Certified Email System and Method - A certified email system for providing a time stamp for a presented file, particularly when the presented file is an email. Preferably a demanding party receives the email; generates a unique HASH; digitally signs the unique HASH; and sends the signed HASH and a time-stamp request call to a web services time-stamp conduit (WSTC). The WSTC receives the request and signed HASH from the demanding party and obtains a time stamp. The WSTC sends the time stamp back to the demanding party, which sends a time-stamp notification to the original sender of the email and, optionally, the recipient(s) of the email. Multiple branded or customized demanding servers can efficiently run using one web services time-stamp conduit. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198713 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANIPULATING CONTROLLED ENERGY USING DEVICES TO MANAGE CUSTOMER BILLS - A control system and method to create an Internet Protocol (IP) enabled automatic gain control loop for encasing a desired cost value in a utility derived consumer controlled pricing envelope. A customer uses a web browser to view billing estimates for the current month as well as related months. The customer can set limits on the actual billing amount for the upcoming month and make adjustments to this amount if it seems unrealistic in the coming month. Control event actions are carried out to limit power usage within preferences set by the customer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205078 | PUSH PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING BILLING FILE EXCHANGE - Systems and methods for processing bill payments. A consumer may send a bill payment request online to a payment processing network, such as through an online bill payment interface. The payment processing network can coordinate with a non-bank acquirer to settle the bill payment with the biller. The liability for the transaction may fall on the issuer, who may be responsible for all parties fulfilling the transaction. The non-bank acquirer may coordinate among the various parties, but may not have liability for fulfillment of the transaction. The non-bank acquirer can deposit funds for the bill payment in a biller bank, and accounts receivable data can be sent to the biller for reconciliation of the bill. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205079 | Method and Apparatus for Configuring and Establishing a Secure Credential-Based Network Link Between a Client and a Service over a Data-Packet-Network - A system for establishing a direct network connection between a first and a second node over a data-packet-network includes a third network node having connection to the data-packet-network for providing an electronic interface accessible to the first node; a navigation agent directed by the third network node for navigating over the network to the second node to gather information; and at least one machine-readable instruction containing the instruction for directing and implementing the direct network connection. The electronic interface may be a Web page providing bill consolidation and payment services to a client operating the first node and wherein the connection established via the instruction enables transparent login payment of a bill at the second node, which may be a direct billing party interface of the client registered and listed on the Web page. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211487 | GREEN POWER PAYMENT DEVICE - A server computer comprising a processor and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code for receiving transaction information associated with a purchase transaction of a sponsored product between a consumer and a merchant using a payment device, code for determining an energy credit based on the transaction information associated with the purchase transaction of the sponsored product, code for sending a first notification to a sponsor associated with the sponsored product. The first notification comprises a portion of the transaction information. The sponsor makes a payment associated with the determined energy credit to a renewable energy producer in response to receiving the first notification. The computer readable medium further comprises code for sending a second notification with the determined energy credit to an energy provider. The energy provider credits the energy service account of the consumer with the determined energy credit in response to receiving the second notification. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211488 | LICENSE ENFORCEMENT - A brand protection feature reader and/or writer instrument ( | 08-19-2010 |
20100211489 | CONTENT MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - A content management and delivery system comprising a plurality of communication devices and a content server is provided. Each of the plurality of communication devices has a display panel for enabling haptic interaction with data displayed thereon. The content server is coupled to the plurality of communication devices. At least one of the plurality of communication devices is to receive the data from the content server, generate a response corresponding to a user interaction with the data displayed on the display panel and transmit the response to the content server. The data is customizable to provide a plurality of user selectable options for facilitating user interaction therewith. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211490 | SEARCH MEDIATION SYSTEM - A user registers information in searcher information storage in advance. Database creators register provision conditions of information in provision condition storage as a rule for defining information granularity. When a query request is received from a user terminal, a search request is sent to each database. Query results from the each database are acquired, and information to be provided into a form at an appropriate information granularity is sent to the user terminal. A third party may register disclosure restriction information. In this manner, a search mediation system capable of controlling information to be disclosed according to the searcher who wants access to the information is provided. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211491 | UNIVERSAL MOBILE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE - Electronic commerce method allowing a customer having an account with a first payment service provider based in a home network to purchase goods and services from a merchant having an account with a second payment service provider based in a remote network, including:
| 08-19-2010 |
20100211492 | SYSTEM AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR OPTIMIZING USAGE BASED PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR A RESOURCE - A system and program product for determining a price “P” to bill a customer for a resource. Amounts “U” and “C | 08-19-2010 |
20100217695 | EDGE ATTRIBUTE AGGREGATION IN A DIRECTED GRAPH - Methods and apparatus are described by which edge attribute data relating to a system that may be represented by a directed graph may be efficiently aggregated despite the presence of virtual entities in the system for which edge attribute data aggregation is not useful or meaningful. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217696 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CHARGING-STATE DEPENDENT DETERMINATION OF SERVICE ACCESS TARIFF RATES BY BID PROCESS - Methods and devices for charging a user for access to a service accessible via a communication network are disclosed. At least two charging-related states are defined for the communication network. A tariff proposal entity associated with the user determines one or more tariff proposals for charging the user for accessing the service and sends the one or more tariff proposals to a rating entity. The rating entity analyzes the one or more tariff proposals in relation to a current charging-related state of the at least two charging-related states, wherein it is determined if at least one of the one or more tariff proposals complies with at least one tariff setting associated with the current charging-related state. The rating entity further selects a tariff of the at least one complying tariff proposals for charging the user for access to the service and initiates a charging of the user for access to the service according to the selected tariff. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217697 | System and Method for Providing a Cash Advance - A loan system and cash advance product is provided which provides funds instantly to a financial institution or equivalent payment provider for pick-up by a registered user of the system. The user selects a cash advance product provided by an authorized distributor. The authorized distributor authenticates the user, pre-authorizes the purchase of the cash advance product, communicates with a loan system that verifies the user, authorizes the transaction, and transfers funds to the financial institution associated with the user. The authorized distributor then charges the user on his bill and remunerates the loan system cash advance product once the user has paid the bill. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217698 | CHARGING METHOD, NETWORK SYSTEM, CHARGING SYSTEM, AND APPLICATION SERVER - A charging method disclosed includes these steps: an application server sends to a charging system a charging request which carries at least two User Equipments' (UE's) access information corresponding to media resources; the charging system performs charging according to the UE access information corresponding to the media resources in the charging request; and the charging system returns a charging response to the application server after completion of the charging. Accordingly, a network system, a charging system, and an application server are provided. The disclosure enables charging for a service processed by multiple UEs of a user in a session. | 08-26-2010 |
20100223170 | Method and system for real estate marketing - A method and system for real estate marketing allows individuals from the general public to gain access to a real estate property that is placed for sale or lease for the purpose of inspection. Access to the real estate property may be granted to requesting individuals who hold valid user accounts with a Remote Service Provider which can authorize such access. Access to inspect real estate property may be granted based on a charged fee basis and can be monitored via video and/or audio surveillance equipment to safeguard against vandalism and/or inappropriate conduct at the property location. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223171 | Modular Geothermal Measurement System - A modular geothermal measurement system that provides for the pumping of a heat transfer fluid. The modular unit simplifies on-site installation time by reducing the number of distinct components to be installed and allows for the optional incorporating of additional heat sources or sinks, whereby the length of ground loop can be reduced, further reducing installation costs. The modular measurement system further allows for the growth of the system over time by adding modules, increasing the ground loop pumping power while providing energy transfer data specific to each thermal load. A controller having an energy control module provides energy control points. Such a system allows the beneficiary of a geothermal investment to be billed for their benefit, enabling the investor to capture the economic benefit of the investment. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223172 | PATIENT CREDIT BALANCE ACCOUNT ANALYSIS, OVERPAYMENT REPORTING, AND RECOVERY TOOLS - The present invention provides a system for managing, analyzing and reporting accounts of overpaid claims for patient balance accounts, although various components and features of the system are inventions into themselves. Certain aspects of the inventor allow managers of both service providers (such as health care facilities) and payers (such as insurance companies and Medicare) to assign work and produce reports. Other aspects of the invention allow provider users and payer users to analyze and resolve the claims in an automated environment. These aspects provide the users with information in a readily accessible and easy to navigate format. The users are also provided with tools for analyzing the claims in an automated manner. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223173 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR ROUTING PACKAGE DELIVERIES - A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228650 | Apparatus and Method for Tracking Transaction Related Data - A method of tracking information in a multi-tier computerized environment, the method comprising: receiving an at least one packet; storing data associated with the at least one packet and with an at least one request or transaction associated with the at least one packet; parsing a byte stream generated from conversion of the at least one packet; detecting data associated with the at least one request or transaction related to the byte stream; matching a thread associated with the byte stream with the at least one request or transaction associated with the at least one packet according to predetermined fields within the byte stream, an apparatus for implementing the same and methods for determining resource consumption of requests or transactions. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228651 | Systems and Methods for Providing Loans in Response to the Occurrence of Predetermined Events - Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided that allow customers to build equity (e.g., by adding money to their selected savings vehicle) feeling secure in knowing that, should they undergo one of the pre-determined events, they will have access to a low/no interest loan (or other loan) that will help them get through that period of crisis. The financial product may offer customers a collateralized loan during a time of need, the ability to set and redefine savings goals to reflect changes in a customer's life, savings on fees as collateral grows, the waiver of monthly fees during benefit period and for a one-month grace period, and a manageable payback schedule once the benefit period begins. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228652 | BILLING MECHANISM FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK - There is provided a method for charging a user of a mobile communication device connected to a communication network. An exemplary method comprises detecting a predetermined trigger event in a trigger unit of the mobile communication device. The exemplary method also comprises detecting the predetermined event. In response to the detection of the predetermined event, a consent message is generated in a message generating unit of the mobile communication device. The consent message is sent to the communication network, the receipt of the consent message prompting a payment process. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228653 | DATA REPRODUCTION DEVICE, CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM, AND CONTENT DELIVERY METHOD - A content delivery system includes a data reproduction device and an in-store terminal that are connected to each other via a communication line. The data reproduction device includes a reproduction device for reproducing contents, a content element selection device, a transmission device for transmitting content element selection information and a reception device for receiving the contents, while the in-store terminal includes a data input device for inputting content information, a content element generation device, a reception device for receiving the content element selection information, a content generation modification device, a storage device, and a transmission device for transmitting contents. The in-store terminal generates contents based on content elements selected by the user of the data reproduction device, and the data reproduction device reproduces the contents received from the in-store terminal. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228654 | COMMUNICATION NETWORK - When an IP (Information Provider) server is accessed from a mobile station, a gateway server determines whether or not the IP server is to be IP billed. If it is not to be IP billed, then user billing is applied. In this case, the gateway server sends a user management number of the mobile station and the number of exchanged packets to a billing system. The billing system calculates a communication fee in accordance with the number of packets, and issues a bill to the user specified by the user management number. On the other hand, if the accessed IP server is to be IP billed, then IP billing is applied. In this case, the gateway server sends the number of exchanged packets and the address of the accessed IP server to the billing system. The billing system calculates a communication fee in accordance with the number of packets, and issues a bill to the IP. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228655 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPORTING USE AMOUNT OF DATA SERVICE, MEDIA PROCESSOR AND MEDIA CONTROL - A method and a system for reporting use Amount of a data service, an MP, and an MC are disclosed herein. The method includes: An MP receives a quota delivered by an MC; the MP sets the quota for a terminal on the MP, and statisticizes the amount of the data service usage of the terminal; and reports a Quota Completion event to the MC when the amount of the data service usage consumed by the terminal reaches the quota. The system includes an MC and an MP which are telecom-connected. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, through real-time interaction between the MC and the MP, the MP can monitor the amount of the data service usage in real time, and report the statistic information when conditions are fulfilled. In this way, the amount of the data service usage can be reported proactively in real time. | 09-09-2010 |
20100241539 | Method and system of managing a borrower's loan obligations - A method, management system, and management information system operated and maintained by a borrower for the plurality of its loan obligations in the form of a computer software system and database wherein the a borrower's loan transactions are recorded in the system and retained in the database for the plurality of its loans while exporting accounting entries to the borrower's other financial systems. Periodic interest is calculated by the system for verification against the lender's calculation. Payments of principal, accrued interest and escrow amounts are calculated and initiated for payment to a borrower's plurality of lenders by the system. The system retains a current balance for outstanding principal balance, accrued interest, escrow accounts, lender's commitment to lend and remaining interest reserve for each of a borrower's loan obligations. The system manages every practical method of loan servicing as commonly practiced in real estate lending and other industries. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241540 | METHODS FOR PROVIDING STAND-IN SERVICES FOR TRANSACTION CARD CUSTOMIZATION - The present invention is directed to methods for billing a transaction card applicant for the cost of a new customized transaction card as a stand-in service on behalf of a transaction card issuer. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: (a) sending an approved customized transaction card image of an applicant to a database of the transaction card issuer; (b) sending information about the applicant and the cost of the new transaction card to a transaction formatter; (c) reformatting the information to produce a billing authorization record and submitting the record to a clearing system of a transaction card franchiser; (d) directly applying the cost of the new transaction card to an account of the applicant within a billing system of the transaction card issuer; and (e) mailing an invoice statement to the applicant including the cost of the new transaction card. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241541 | BILLING DEVICE FOR IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE WHICH ALLOCATES CHARGE AMONG A PLURALITY OF AUTHENTICATION MEDIA - An authentication printing function is performed in a multi function peripheral (MFP). A user transmits a job from a PC to the MFP, and then performs card authentication by bringing cards close to an authentication device. Authenticated-user information is transmitted to the MFP, where the authenticated users are registered. A print job is generated, and a billing scenario is generated in which a charge is allocated among the plurality of authenticated users on the basis of a billing pattern. When the billing scenario is approved by the user, the job is executed, and the authenticated users are each billed for the charge allocated thereto on a per-page or per-set basis, in accordance with the billing scenario. Accordingly, a billing device for an image processing device which can allocate a charge among a plurality of users without the need of complicated operations is provided. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241542 | Vehicle identification system, method and recharging station for electric vehicles - Electric vehicle recharging system in public garages and parking facilities that utilizes a vehicle identification to prevent energy theft and to provide a reliable and safe method to resume recharging process without any manual authorization after recharging interrupt. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241543 | IMAGE FORMATION SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE, AND METHOD OF BILLING CALCULATION - An image formation device includes: a job execution control part for controlling execution of a job; a storage part for storing therein a billing map to be used for billing calculation in response to execution of the job; a billing calculation part for performing billing calculation by referring to the billing map stored in the storage part, the billing calculation being performed in response to execution of the job by the job execution control part; and a billing map switching part for changing a billing map to be referred to by the billing calculation part when the progress of the job executed by the job execution control part satisfies a predetermined condition. So, the substance of billing calculation can be changed when the progress of a job satisfies the predetermined condition during execution of the job. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241544 | SERVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT ENABLES SUBSCRIBER-DRIVEN CHANGES TO SERVICE PLANS - A service management system that enables a subscriber of a mobile telecommunication system to modify aspects of his or her service plan and have the modification to the service plan take effect immediately. The subscriber enters a modification request to an aspect of a service plan. The modification request is verified against a set of rules that defines acceptable changes to the service plan. If the proposed modification to the service plan is a valid change, the change to the service plan is immediately propagated to a billing system and to other systems that implement the service plan. The subscriber is notified when the modification to the service plan is complete, and the subscriber is billed on a going-forward basis in accordance with the rate structure applicable to the plan. | 09-23-2010 |
20100250413 | Method and system for processing and collecting real estate loan payoffs from physically remote locations using ACH and RDC - A system that utilizes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that provides electronic interaction and process automation that enables businesses, individuals and all types of organizations to payoff a real estate loan from a remote location by securely entering and transmitting financial payment information either using ACH or RDC (check images), and other information that may be required. Credit for payment is passed to the mortgagee account on the lien holders system, check images (and or physical checks “IRD”) and ACH payments are entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment collection. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250414 | INTER-LAYER PARAMETER LIAISON SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary method includes generating an access record associated with a data session provided by at least one access layer element over an access network, generating an application record associated with an application provided by at least one application layer element over the access network, transmitting data representative of a correlation parameter associated with application from the at least one application layer element to the at least one access layer element via an inter-layer liaison subsystem, and inserting the correlation parameter associated with application and received from the at least one application layer element via the inter-layer liaison subsystem in the access record. In some examples, the method further includes correlating the access record and the application record based on the correlation parameter associated with the application. Other exemplary inter-layer parameter liaison methods and systems are also disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250415 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND MACHINE-READABLE MEDIUMS FOR MANAGING COMMITMENTS AND ACCOUNT RECEIVABLES - Systems, methods and machine-readable mediums for managing commitments and account receivables. The systems may include a processor for executing code instructions to perform the following operations: receive a commitment, from a payor terminal, for paying an invoice; transmit a notification of the commitment to a payee terminal as an anticipated receivable; display, on the payee terminal, a name of at least one financial institution having a payor account; receive a selection of one or more financial institutions, from the payee terminal, for requesting a quotation on the anticipated receivable; transmit the quotation, to the payee terminal, for each of the selected financial institutions; receive a selection of a financial institution with a desired quote, from the payee terminal, for payment processing; and debit the payor account at the selected financial institution with the desired quote. The computer readable mediums provide instructions to cause the processor to perform the operations above. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250416 | DIRECTING PAYMENTS TO SATISFY PERIODIC FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS - Methods, computer program products, and systems, related to financial payments are provided. Data corresponding to payments made by a first financial institution is analyzed to identify periodic financial obligations and a specific biller associated with each obligation. A visual user interface including a mechanism through which a user can submit a make-payments notification is generated and provided to a client computer. A first make-payments notification identifying an obligation and a specific biller is received. A determination is made as to whether the specific biller is automatically requesting payments to satisfy the obligation identified in the make-payments notification, and if so, a cease-billing instruction is caused to be sent to the specific biller. A billing instruction, instructing the first specific biller to automatically request payments from a second financial institution to satisfy the obligation, is caused to be sent to the first specific biller. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250417 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH BUDGET RECONCILIATION FEATURES - A computer-implemented method of reconciling a primary budget for a construction project. One embodiment of the invention includes generating a primary budget for the construction project and assigning a first primary budget line item from the primary budget to a participant. A secondary budget is then generated for the primary budget line item. Before administering a draw that includes a payment to the participant, the computer-implemented method ensures that the total sum of the budget amounts in the secondary budget is consistent with the budget amount for the primary budget line item. In some embodiments, the secondary budget is consistent when the total sum of the budget amounts is less than the primary budget line item. In some embodiments, the secondary budget is consistent when the total sum of the budget amounts is equal to the primary budget line item. | 09-30-2010 |
20100268627 | Dating service system and method increasing member profile development and reducing unwanted communications - The present invention provides a system and method to increase the number of members in a dating service developing their profiles by providing a financial incentive. The invention further reduces unwanted communications from other members by allowing member recipients of the unwanted communication to receive a fee, paid by the sender, for receiving the communication. The invention further reduces unwanted communications from other members by allowing a member sending a communication to place on the profile of the member receiving the communication a comment which the receiving member cannot remove unless the received fee is returned, if the fee is not returned the member receiving the communication may post a responding comment. The invention further increases the safety of the members by providing the sender and receiver of a message a code that may be used by each to identify the other. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268628 | Managing controlled content on a web page having revenue-generating code - Managing controlled content on a web page is disclosed. A web page is analyzed. Controlled content and revenue-generating code are detected on the web page. A party to contact is determined based on the revenue-generating code or the controlled content. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274694 | RELAY SERVER, CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD - To enable content distributed to a user terminal to be optimized and distributed on the network side in accordance with various conditions on the user terminal side without increasing the processing load on the content server side. A gateway server (relay server) acquires content in an editable form from the content server, and edits the acquired content based on an editing condition of the user terminal, and distributes the edited content to the user terminal. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274695 | UTILITY TARIFF ENGINE - A system and method for creation and verification of utility bills with improved error detection is disclosed. Specifically, a user-configurable data structure is provided, which is sufficiently flexible to precisely simulate any utility tariff. The invention further relates to a computerized system and method for verifying utility bills utilizing a user-configurable data structure that simulates a utility tariff. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274696 | Digital media content sharing system - A digital media sharing system (“DMSS”) for receiving digital media data (“DMD”) produced by a media device is described. The DMSS may include a network, a first set-top box in signal communication with the network, a first rendering device in signal communication with the set-top box and the network, and a storage device in signal communication with the set-top box and the network. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274697 | TRANSMISSION LINE DIRECTIONAL AWARENESS - An apparatus and method for coupling a charging station to a power line segment that is terminated at a first end by a charging terminal are disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple taps coupled to the power line segment and circuitry coupled to the charging station and coupled to the multiple taps. The circuitry is configured to differentiate between communication signals propagating on the power line segment in the direction from the first end to a second end of the power line segment and communication signals propagating on the power line segment in the direction from the second end to the first end based at least in part on multiple measurements of respective phase shifts associated with different portions of a communication signal, each portion received over at least a first tap and a second tap. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280929 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A BILLING STRUCTURE FOR DOCUMENTS BASED ON COLOR AVERAGE OF MARKED COLOR PIXELS - 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 for each page based on an amount of color coverage. The marked color pixel locations of the image data to be output in the device dependent space are counted. Each color pixel location comprises at least one color plane. In some cases, a ratio of the count of the marked color pixel locations to a maximum number of pixel locations may be used to determine the amount on the page. Processing and determining a billing structure based on image data in the device dependent space, irrespective of the amount of ink/toner or color planes used, avoids charging a customer for color print job when only a small amount of color pixels are printed. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280930 | HOLISTIC ACADEMIC SYSTEM FOR INDEPENDENT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS - A holistic academic system that provides a network-based service to which any number of teachers and students may subscribe independent of any school. An independent student refers to a person who desires to take a class that is not necessarily under the control or direction of a school. An independent teacher refers to a person who desires to teach a class that is not necessarily under the control or direction of a school. When a person subscribes to the holistic academic system as an independent teacher, the holistic academic system may verify that the person is qualified before allowing the person to offer and/or teach a class. The holistic academic system may verify the person's qualifications each time the person offers to teach a new class or a class on a subject that is outside of their verified area of expertise. A teacher's qualifications may be manually verified by a representative of the holistic academic system and/or automatically verified by the holistic academic system against one or more public or private data sources. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280931 | INTERACTIVE INFORMATION PROCESSING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for information processing and delivery to a selected group of network-connected display devices. In one embodiment of the invention, an information processing and delivery method comprises receiving a request from one of a plurality of users in which the request includes a content data, a display identifier and a user identifier. The method also comprises validating the content data and the display identifier, and upon successful validation, transmitting the content data through an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to at least one display device associated with the display identifier for display thereon. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280932 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AND DEPLOYING FUNCTIONAL SERVICES TO A VEHICLE CLIENT - An invention is provided for a system for managing and deploying software functionality to a vehicle client including a server including a user preference list, a communication tier, applications for receiving a request from the vehicle client, the request identifying the particular user preference and applications for deploying the selected plurality of services and the plurality of service directories in the particular user's preference list to the vehicle client in response to a request from the vehicle client. The user preference list includes a selected plurality of services subscribed by a corresponding particular user's preference list, each one of the plurality of services including a plurality of software components and information for use of a corresponding service, wherein the selected plurality of services are downloadable service implementation components and a plurality of service directories, each service directory including a list of service objects. The communication tier couples the server and a plurality of devices via one or more networks, wherein the plurality of devices includes at least one vehicle client. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280933 | CONTROL METHOD, CONTROL APPARATUS, DATA RECEIVING AND RECORDING METHOD, DATA RECEIVER AND RECEIVING METHOD - A data receiving and recording method and data receiver are provided for receiving data coded by a predetermined method and copyright information attached to the data. While recording the received data on a predetermined recording medium, the copyright information is recorded into a predetermined area of the recording medium. Preferably, the data consists of audio data of the song, lyrics data of the song and image data relating to the song and the copyright information is allotted respectively to the audio data, lyrics data and image data. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280934 | DYNAMIC BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION - A method for managing bandwidth to a user. A selection of a profile is received from a plurality of profiles. The profile is selected to allocate bandwidth to a user. The selection of the profile for allocating bandwidth to the user through a connection is determined. The bandwidth is allocated to the connection in response to determining the profile provides for a bandwidth reconfiguration. | 11-04-2010 |
20100287077 | MANAGEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES - An accounts management node ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100287078 | ACCUMULATOR FOR PASSENGER CARS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES - An accumulator for passenger cars or commercial vehicles, including a device for storing electric energy, two electric connecting devices, in particular connecting contacts, for electrically connecting the device for storing electric energy to an electric drive motor, provides a financial incentive for the user for moderate handling of the accumulator. Such a task is achieved in that at least one sensor is configured for detecting measurement data in regard to the electric current and/or the electric voltage of the accumulator taken from and/or fed to the accumulator and/or the temperature of the accumulator and/or the installation time and/or the electric current time of the accumulator. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287079 | CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS THAT ARE TRANSFERRED BETWEEN ACCESS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for charging for a session of a dual mode device that is transferred (seamless handover) from a first access network to a second access network. When a session is transferred between access networks, multiple charging identifiers (e.g., ICID) are assigned to the session. One or more network elements in the IMS network identify both an original ICID and a handover ICID for the session, and insert the original and handover ICID in a charging message that is transmitted to a charging system. The charging system then inserts the original ICID and the handover ICID in a CDR for the session. When the session ends, the charging system may use the original ICID and the handover ICID to correlate multiple CDRs for the session. Thus, even if CDRs for the same session have different ICIDs, the charging system is able to correlate the CDRs. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287080 | Systems and Methods for Session Records Correlation - A billing mediation system for use within a communications network that correlates session records pertaining to usage of network resources is disclosed. The billing mediation system includes a record receiver, a record correlator, a look ahead cache, a set of buffers, and a session records database. The set of buffers includes a single segment insert buffer, a multi segment insert buffer, a multi segment update buffer and a billing finalization update buffer. A method for correlating session records is also provided. The method includes receiving a session record, placing the session record into a segment buffer based on the type of record, and updating a look ahead cache including providing a timestamp for the last update for a session. The transfer of correlated session records to a billing system is based on whether records for a session have been received based on session tracking within the look ahead cache. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287081 | LIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAVING NETWORKED INTELLIGENT LUMINAIRE MANAGERS - A network operation center for a light management system having networked intelligent luminaire managers. A plurality of networked luminaire managers, each collocated with a respective luminaire, monitor the status of their respective luminaires. The luminaire managers include transmitters for transmitting status information about their respective luminaires and third-party devices to a network server. The network server forwards the received status information from the networked luminaire managers to a computer of an owner/operator of the plurality of luminaires and/or a third-party user. The luminaire managers communicate with each other, whereby they form a network. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287082 | BILLING WORKFLOW SYSTEM FOR CREDITING CHARGES TO ENTITIES CREATING DERIVATIVES EXPOSURE - An automated billing workflow system receives credit valuation adjustment (CVA) amounts associated with derivatives trades. The automated billing workflow system interacts with an Accounting System in order to make appropriate Profit and Loss (P&L) entries for the CVA amounts. The CVA amounts are billed to the business units which actually created the risk. The invention employs a plurality of Workflow Queues. As an item makes it way through the billing workflow, it may be slotted in one or more of these queues where further action will take place. | 11-11-2010 |
20100293080 | Providing Online Graphical Data Flow Web Application Tools or Services for Charge - System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293081 | Device and method for reading, registering and analyzing data of automobile ECU - A device for reading and registering data of automobile ECU includes: a memory ( | 11-18-2010 |
20100299236 | TEMPORARY INTERNET SPEED INCREASE - A temporary Internet bandwidth increase is provided. A speed preview interface is presented for obtaining a request for an Internet bandwidth increase from a customer. The eligibility of the customer for the requested increase of the Internet bandwidth is verified. The increase of Internet bandwidth for the customer is provisioned for a predetermined period of time based on the verification of eligibility of the customer. The predetermined period of time may be a temporary fixed period of time or a period of time based on billing status. When the predetermined period of time is a temporary fixed period of time, the increase in Internet bandwidth is terminated after lapse of the temporary fixed period of time. | 11-25-2010 |
20100306090 | DIGITAL CONTENT BILLING VIA MULTIPLE CHANNELS - Embodiments related to billing for digital content via multiple billing channels with different permissible prices are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a digital content server configured to receive from a content provider an input of a digital content item, send to the content provider a list of suggested prices that are permissible in each billing channel, and then receive an input of a selected price for the content item. If the selected price is from the list of suggested prices, then billing is enabled via each of the billing. On the other hand, if the selected price for the digital content item is not from the list of suggested prices, then billing is enabled via a first subset of billing channels for which the selected price is permissible, and not enabled via a second subset of billing channels for which the selected price is not permissible. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306091 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING PAYEES BASED ON CLEARED ITEMS POSTED TO A FINANCIAL ACCOUNT - Systems, methods, and apparatus for establishing payees based on cleared items posted to a financial account are provided. Information associated with a cleared item posted to a financial account of a consumer may be obtained. Based at least in part on the obtained information, a payee associated with the cleared item may be identified. A form may be generated for activating, at a service provider, at least one of online payment functionality for payments made to the payee by the service provider on behalf of the consumer or electronic bill presentment of billing information of the payee to the consumer through the service provider. The form may be transmitted to a network entity for presentation to the consumer. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306092 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONICALLY CIRCULATING A CURRENCY - Virtual currency notes may be derived from one or more currency notes deposited at a currency reserve and/or from an asset held by a depository institution. A transaction provider may provide for ownership and/or transfer of the notes by various entities. Ownership of virtual currency notes may be transferred between entities while the depository institution maintains the asset associated therewith. A virtual currency note may be transferred to a transfer account, which may cause an amount equivalent to the virtual currency note to be deposited therein. After the transfer to a transfer account, the transferred virtual currency note may be removed from electronic circulation and/or transferred to another entity. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306093 | Accounting Apparatus, Accounting Method and Computer-Readable Recording Medium for Recording Accounting Program Codes - An accounting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an accounting unit, an occupancy time counting unit and a charge discounting unit. The accounting unit is configured to impose a charge for use of a device that is an object of accounting on the basis of the number of operations and/or an operation time of the device. The occupancy time counting unit is configured to count an occupancy time that the device has been exclusively used by a user. The charge discounting unit is configured to discount the charge for use of the device on the basis of the occupancy time. | 12-02-2010 |
20100325024 | System and Method for Obligation Management in Wireless Communication Devices - A wireless communication device ( | 12-23-2010 |
20100325025 | System and Method for Sharing Media - An apparatus or method for sharing media on a social network effects, or includes steps for, accessing a social networking site using login information provided by a first member, broadcasting a media sharing announcement for a first media belonging to the first member to a second member of the social networking site, and granting the second member a usage license to the first media in exchange for a relinquishment of a usage license of a second media. | 12-23-2010 |
20100332363 | PAYMENT CARDS AND FUEL CARDS - A method of generating an indicator that there is an anomaly between vehicle data and fuel card usage data, comprises: receiving ( | 12-30-2010 |
20100332364 | PARTICLE GENERATION FACTOR DETERMINING SYSTEM, CHARGING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Provided is a charging method capable of offering a user an incentive to use a particle generation factor determining system. In the particle generation factor determining system including a user interface device | 12-30-2010 |
20110010281 | System for supplying power to an electric vehicle on a parking space - A system is proposed for supplying power to an electric vehicle on a parking space, which system has, for each parking space or for a group of parking spaces, a charging station which is assigned to the parking space or the group of parking spaces and which comprises means for supplying power to the electric car, for detecting the consumed power, for identifying or detecting the vehicle for the purpose of billing for the consumed power, and a device for paying for the consumed power. | 01-13-2011 |
20110010282 | Access point for mobile devices in a packet based network and a method and a system for billing in such a network - An access point for mobile devices with wireless communication capability for usage in a packet based network, said network comprising at least one gateway having access to a remote service, the access point comprises communication means for establishing communication with at least one or more access point in order to form a network between at least said access points. Also, there are means for adding the identity of the mobile device; and registering means for registering the identity of data packets transferred through said access point. The invention also concerns a method and system for billing in such a network. | 01-13-2011 |
20110016029 | Group Opt Out theft Identity Services For Financial Account Holder Method - Identity theft services, made available as an inherent part of a financial services account with an optional fee structure, are believed to provide economical and attractive option to the market place, and an additional safeguard to the financial organization from the effects of fraud and security breach. By providing notice followed by a period to opt out and then instituting a new identity theft service, a revenue generating stream can be provided for a financial organization as well as a service provider. Furthermore, the customers at the financial organization are provided with identity theft service benefits not previously enjoyed. When utilizing this service with a Covered Group, even those individuals that opt out may be provided at least limited identity theft services. | 01-20-2011 |
20110016030 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AGGREGATION AND ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION - The invention provides a system and method for automated data analysis in which data agents are located and operate at each member site or data source (i.e., locally). These agents access stored data at the data source or member sites, process the data and also aggregate the results. The aggregated results from each of the member sites are then forwarded to and further aggregated at a central analytic hub. The central analytic hub contains a centralized application which can further aggregate each of the aggregated results and perform a final analysis. These results are then delivered to the requestor without any ability to identify individual data sources, or records from those sources. | 01-20-2011 |
20110022504 | Systems And Method For Establishing A Data-Path Between A Mobile Station And A Home Access Service Network Gateway - The present invention relates to systems and methods for establishing a data-path between a mobile station and a home access service network gateway (“ASN-GW”). During the authentication process, a visited ASN-GW receives a first message that identifies a home ASN-GW associated with the mobile station. After the mobile station has been authenticated, the visited ASN-GW receives a first data-path request message from a base station serving the mobile station, requesting a path for data-packet communication for the mobile station that extends between base station and the visited ASN-GW. The visited ASN-GW responsively uses the received identification to send a second data-path request message to the home ASN-GW which requests a path for data-packet communication that extends between the base station and the home ASN-GW. Once the data-path has been established, the home ASN-GW may monitor and/or place restrictions on the data being transmitted to and from the mobile stations. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022505 | BILLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, BILLING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, BILLING INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A billing management system includes an image forming apparatus and a billing management apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a process information receiving unit for receiving process information indicating a list of processes in a process flow; a registration unit for transmitting identification information for the process flow to the billing management apparatus; a process execution unit for performing a first process assigned to the image forming apparatus; a billing information transmitting unit for transmitting billing information for the first process to the billing management apparatus; and a data transfer unit for transferring output data of the first process to a service providing apparatus that is to perform a second process. The billing management apparatus receives the billing information for the first and second processes from the image forming apparatus and the service providing apparatus and records the billing information in association with the identification information. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022506 | Location Visit Detail Services for Wireless Devices - A location visit detail service, typically provided by a wireless carrier to a subscriber includes a portable wireless device, a location identification means and a central processor. The central processor periodically receives location data generated by the location identification means. The central processor data transforms the location data into time and position data pairs that identify the location of the portable wireless device at a particular time. Through a geographic information system database, the position data is converted to street address data. The details data is provided by the wireless carrier to the subscriber, which can use the details data to provide a summary report describing the activity of the service person. This summary report can be used for preparation of bills or for gathering statistics on (individual or group) service person efficiency. Alternatively, the wireless carrier can prepare the report that is then transmitted to the subscriber. | 01-27-2011 |
20110035302 | Systems and Methods to Accelerate Transactions - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a memory to store transaction records indicating actual amounts of funds collected via a first plurality of premium messages transmitted to a first plurality of phone numbers; and a processor coupled with the memory to transmit, to a second plurality of phone numbers, a second plurality of premium messages to collect payments on behalf of a merchant. Before funds collected via the second premium messages become available, the processor identifies a portion of a total amount of funds charged via the second premium messages, based at least in part on the transaction records stored in the memory, and offers to provide the portion to the merchant. | 02-10-2011 |
20110035303 | System and Method for Secure Third-Party Development and Hosting within a Financial Services Network - The system and method described herein secures third-party content development and hosts the content development within a financial services network. According to an aspect of the described technique, a development account uniquely identifying authorized developers is established on a development server, developed content is posted to the development account, and an automated validation agent validates the developed content. | 02-10-2011 |
20110047055 | Dynamic Computer-Based Information Management System - The invention is directed to a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions adapted and configured to instruct a computer to perform a method comprising: receiving values from any information transmission device; recording a near-immediate transition of any number of values between any number of system elements, using a float of electronically produced schedule keepers of value quantifying a change in any variables with respect to users in an application; and at least one of correcting and transmitting information to assist with delivering useful information to achieve a desired outcome. In some aspects, the variable is currency. In still other configurations, the application is a financial application. Values can be selected from the group consisting of single or multivariable, as desired or preferred. Moreover, the system elements are identified by contextual information disclosed by a user. Furthermore, the method can also comprise the step of: reducing a payment to a vendor by an amount of one or more of a fee for a transaction and a tax. In some cases, the method can further comprising: deducting an additional fee by an amount of one or more of a fee for a transaction and a tax. | 02-24-2011 |
20110055061 | Method and system for retaining customers with interrupted payment streams - A method and system for retaining customers with interrupted payment streams includes identifying an at-risk-for-lapse customer based on at least one failed billing attempt. The at-risk-for-lapse customer by use of at least one communication channel. A billing information database is updated with updated billing information provided by the at-risk-for-lapse customer as a result of the communication, and a transaction record, which is indicative of the failed billing attempt, is recorded in a transaction history for future reference. This method is enabled by use of a specialized software application capable of retrieving, analyzing, and storing customer information from a central database. The software application is capable of identifying the at-risk-for-lapse customer based on certain factors, as well as selecting an appropriate customer contact strategy. | 03-03-2011 |
20110055062 | Activity Scheduling and Clearinghouse System - A method and system for managing activity registrations using an activity clearinghouse system includes receiving requests from a plurality of activity providers to create activity records in the activity database, where each activity record including a plurality of activity parameters. The method also includes receiving system a request from a user to view one or more of the activity records, the request including at least one activity parameter selected by the user. The method includes, in response to the request, providing to the user the one or more activity records including the at least one activity parameter selected by the user. The method also includes receiving a request from the user to register an individual for a selected activity associated with an activity record, and updating the activity record to reflect registration of the individual for the selected activity. | 03-03-2011 |
20110055063 | Method, Centralized Control Device, and System for Charging Service - In a service charging method, a centralized control point in Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) receives a service request from a service consumer. The centralized control point invokes a requested service for the service consumer according to the service request. The centralized control point generates a Call Detail Record according to an invoked result of the service. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060668 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A COMBINED STATEMENT - A combined statement processing (“CSP”) system and method provides a combined statement attribute to a master contract, which defines a set of accounts for which a combined statement should be generated. The CSP may generate a number of unique tokens passed on a pre-existing output management system (“OMS”). The unique tokens may also be passed to a set of account management systems (“AMS”), which may trigger various reports to the OMS by the AMSs. Using the unique tokens sent by the CSP, the OMS may then hold the output production until reporting data is received by the AMSs from each unique token. This way, a pre-existing OMS and pre-existing AMSs may be leveraged to with little or no alteration to generate a combined statement. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060669 | Method and Apparatus for Wirelessly Transmitting High Volume Content to an Electronic Device - Digital content, particularly high volume digital content, such as newspapers or e-books are transmitted to an electronic device such as a handheld book reader over available bandwidth in a commercial FM radio station, private radio station, television station, or other one-way transmission system. A particular content item may be periodically rebroadcast along with other content on a rotating basis. GPS receivers and location-oriented databases may be used to allow the electronic device to find local broadcast outlets for the digital content when relocated to a new area. When no one-way transmission system is available or when packets of the high volume content are missing, a two-way communication system such as cellular (e.g. 3G or 4G systems), WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, etc. may be used to download all or part of the high volume content. Encryption schemes may be used to selectively authorize use of both electronic devices and content. | 03-10-2011 |
20110066531 | DOCUMENT PROCESSING DEVICE, SERVER DEVICE, AND DOCUMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A document processing device downloads a document processing program from a server device through a network and executes the document processing program, thereby processing document data to be processed. The document processing device comprises: an identification information generating part for generating identification information for identifying the document data to be processed based on the document data; a program acquiring part for transmitting the identification information to the server device, and downloading the document processing program capable of processing only the document data that corresponds to the identification information from the server device; and a program executing part for processing the document data to be processed by executing the document processing program acquired by the program acquiring part. | 03-17-2011 |
20110071931 | Presentation Production System With Universal Format - A fully customizable system and method for producing videos utilizing a decentralized business model for receiving input parameters from the customer or user and for presenting production elements for selection based on the input parameters. The system providing feedback by calculating, a cost, a delivery date, and/or the required raw video source material, as the customer or user makes production element selections. The customer or user is further provided with specific direction as to which and how many raw source materials are to be gathered for the video production. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071932 | Electric Vehicle Network - An electric vehicle network is provided. The electric vehicle network includes a plurality of battery service stations and a service provider. The battery service stations are configured to service the batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles, and the electric vehicles are operated by a plurality of users. Battery service stations are configured to recharge batteries, replace spent batteries, or both. The service provider communicates with the battery service stations to facilitate servicing of the electric vehicles as the service stations based on subscription plans associated with the users. A plurality of subscription plan options is provided to the users. | 03-24-2011 |
20110078063 | COMBINED CATHODIC PROTECTION AND METER READING MONITORING SYSTEM - Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for increasing functionality of gas metrology devices used in a supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network by combining the collection of meter data with cathodic protection (CP) monitoring data in a single system. Per present subject matter, CP monitoring data may be collected at individual metrology locations and combined with data otherwise bubbled up to SCADA data collectors for transmission to the network head end. CP data collection and transmission with the bubbled up metrology data provides a significant increase in the amount of CP data collected and offers the advantage of relatively earlier detection of CP installation related problems in addition to significant reduction in data collection costs. | 03-31-2011 |
20110082779 | BILLING PROFILE MANAGER - A billing profile management system and method is provided. In an embodiment, a billing profile manager is configured to cooperate with an existing network and prepaid server. The billing profile manager is configured to modify the prepaid server and maintain a billing profile for each subscriber that is separate from the billing profile on the prepaid server and which can ultimately override the prepaid server. Additional billing functionality to an existing network and prepaid server is thereby provided. | 04-07-2011 |
20110087570 | PAY FOR USE AND ANTI COUNTERFEIT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INK CARTRIDGES AND OTHER CONSUMABLES - Systems and methods of a pay-for-use pricing plan for consumables associated with a machine. The systems and methods include a machine that can detect a use of a consumable by a consumer. The use can be an installation of the consumable in the machine or an actual use of the consumable in the machine. The machine can detect a charge associated with the use of the consumable. Further, the machine can prompt the consumer for a payment and receive the payment from the consumer. In embodiments, the consumer can have an updatable account associated with the consumable usage. The machine can send an indication of the payment or updated account information to a supplier of the consumable. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087571 | System and Method for Providing Redundant Customer Communications Delivery Using Hybrid Delivery Channels - A system and method for providing redundant customer communications delivery using hybrid delivery channels is provided. In one configuration, the system utilizes an initial delivery channel to send a batch of customer communications and later utilizes a different, delayed backup delivery channel to resend only a subset of those communications as deemed necessary. | 04-14-2011 |
20110093371 | TOKEN LICENSING MAPPING COSTS TO ENABLED SOFTWARE TOOL FEATURES - A request to activate a software tool can be received, where activation requires a quantity of tokens of a token license model. An entity, project, user-set, user, or combination thereof corresponding to the request can be ascertained. A feature-set to be enabled can be determined by querying preexisting indexed records. The preexisting indexed records can associate different feature-sets to different entities, projects, user-sets, users, or combinations thereof. A token cost can be computed for activating the software tool with the feature-set enabled for the request. Token costs for utilizing the software tool can vary depending upon the enabled feature-set. The computed token cost can be the quantity of tokens required to activate the software tool responsive to the request. | 04-21-2011 |
20110093372 | APPLICATION POD INTEGRATION WITH AUTOMATED MOBILE PHONE BILLING AND DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM - A platform for supporting a network-enabled application is configured to render the network enabled application for a user, via a user interface associated with the user, in accordance with various APIs included in the platform and used by a program developer to develop the network-enabled application. The rendering can included recognizing that the user interface is a mobile user interface and rendering the network-enabled application in a manner appropriate and/or optimal for the mobile user interface. | 04-21-2011 |
20110106678 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR RELOCATING THE CLIENT PORT IN THE PROCESS OF ONLINE PREPAYING - This invention is concerned with a system and some methods to maintain the continuity of online billing through a proxy server as an anchor in which it forwards the information between the prepaying client port and the prepaying server through the proxy server. The method includes the following steps:
| 05-05-2011 |
20110106679 | Method for tagging documents and communications with filing and billing information - A method for tagging documents and communications with filing and billing information in the context of an online social network. As the documents and communication are created an automatic tagging tool associates the created document or communication with a preselected set of information that corresponds to the document or communication, the social network member who made the creation, and the client for whom the work was performed. The information to be associated with each document and communication can be customized to include categories most applicable to the business of the user. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112944 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STORING NAMES FOR NONPUBLISHED NUMBERS ON TELEPHONE BILL - A method and device are provided for storing names for nonpublished numbers on a telephone bill. A telephone bill is displayed that includes published numbers and nonpublished numbers. For each nonpublished number, an option is provided to associate names to the nonpublished numbers. An associated name is received to correspond to a corresponding nonpublished number. The associated name is mapped to the corresponding nonpublished number in a mapping table, such that when the corresponding nonpublished number is displayed on the telephone bill the associated name is displayed. The associated name and the corresponding nonpublished number are stored in the mapping table. | 05-12-2011 |
20110112945 | METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC BILLING AND PAYMENT - A comprehensive, web-enabled computer system and method is provided for facilitating and managing all aspects of project work, while synchronizing communications, data and transaction processing across multiple user platforms. To implement the computer system and method, a bid item list is utilized to create configurable and scalable customized bid templates premised on the specific type of project work required. Bid requests are generated from the customized bid templates for solicitation of vendor bid responses to the selected bid items provided by the bid template. One or more bid items within the vendor bid responses can be selected for vendor grading purposes, and comparison of the vendor bid responses can be conducted using the graded bid item responses. In addition, project tracking parameters can be entered into the computer system for tracking the performance of the project. | 05-12-2011 |
20110119166 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION - A system to offset the costs of a renewable energy generation facility may include a renewable energy generation facility to generate renewable electrical energy. The renewable energy generation facility may be deployed by at least one independent power producer that at least in pail arranges for the installation and deployment of the renewable energy generation facility. The system may also include a power system of transmission and distribution lines to transmit electrical energy from the renewable energy generation facility to one or more electrical access points of respective power users. The power transmission system may be operated by a power utility independent of the independent power producer. Further there may be one or more computer systems to prepare electronic billing data to be used to bid the at least one power user a minimum amount based on estimated power usage of the power user. The computer systems may also schedule a financial support payment to be made by the power user to the independent power producer. The payment made to the independent power producer may be made in exchange for a financial interest or benefit provided by the independent power producer to the power user. | 05-19-2011 |
20110119167 | PROVIDING REMOVABLE STORAGE MANAGEMENT SERVICES USING REMOVABLE STORAGE ERROR INFORMATION - Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for providing removable storage management services using removable storage error information. Read/write error information is obtained for at least one removable storage by interfacing with the removable storage manager. The obtained read/write error information for the at least one removable storage is processed to determine read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage. A determination is made as to whether the determined read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage exceed at least one read/write error threshold. At least one message is sent to the removable storage manager to replace the at least one removable storage having read/write error rates that exceed the at least one read/write error threshold. | 05-19-2011 |
20110131120 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PROCESS FOR THE SHOPPING AND SELECTION OF HUMAN ENTITIES - This invention is a system and method for automatically managing a multi-step process in which human providers are selected for some purpose. Typical applications include the selection process associated with employment and dating services. The invention is directed to linking and coordinating the various steps of the selection process through automated sequencing, coordinating, tracking and status reporting processes. The interviewee answers questions that are printed, displayed, or spoken by an automated mechanism or questions are printed or displayed for use by a tester or interviewer. Answers can be written, spoken, or entered directly into a system by the interviewee. The invention provides a system and method for automatically scoring and ranking human providers with respect to selection criteria, making use of expert system concepts. Human shoppers are matched up and the usefulness of each match is scored on the basis of stated selection criteria of each human shopper. | 06-02-2011 |
20110137771 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Provision and Use of a Unified Account Current and Statement Billing Workflow - A digital-computing platform provides a unified account current and statement billing workflow. This workflow comprises a plurality of event points including, for example, sending a statement, checking for receipt of a promise to pay, and checking for receipt of a payment. This platform uses an end-user interface to facilitate configuring a specific billing plan by use of this unified workflow. This can comprise configuring at least one action with respect to at least one of the aforementioned event points. By one approach, this can comprise providing an opportunity to select whether and when to send a statement, whether to receive a promise to pay, and/or a date by when to receive such a promise to pay. Configuring a specific billing plan can also comprise, if desired, providing an opportunity to identify an action to automatically take when an expected promise to pay is not received as expected. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137772 | Devices, Systems and Methods for SLA-Based Billing - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to automatically detecting user dissatisfaction and billing a user accordingly. Systems for providing customer service to a user of a telecommunication network include a mobile communication device having logic for submitting a QoS complaint. A billing server on the telecommunications network retrieves a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the user from a user account database. The billing server also communicates with a CDR database having CDRs associated with the SLAs. Some of the CDRs include QoS complaints from the user. A logic on the billing server references the CDRs. If the billing server determines that a user is not receiving the QoS that is defined in the SLA, then the billing server calculates a discount to apply to the relevant bill. If the billing server determines that the user is dissatisfied with the QoS they are receiving, when the QoS is consistent with the SLA, then the SLA is modified to increase the QoS, and the user is billed accordingly. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137773 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Identifying and/or Billing an Individual in a Vehicle - Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for identifying a driver versus a passenger within a smart vehicle. This involves a determination of the relative positions of the wireless communication devices within the smart vehicle using near-field communication (NFC) or GPS, AGPS, etc. The wireless communication device detected closest to the driver seat is assumed to be the device owned by the driver. Once identified, the driver can be billed for tolls and other road services, based on the location of the smart vehicle. For instance, as the smart vehicle approaches a toll, a notification can be sent to all of the wireless communication devices. A response from a particular wireless communication device will result in the corresponding user's account being billed for the toll. Further, the smart vehicle can communicate with near-field transceivers placed, for instance, alongside a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. A driver of the vehicle can be billed, fined, or ticketed based upon a determination of an absence of passengers in the smart vehicle. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137774 | RUNTIME ENVIRONMENT SALES SETTLEMENT - A system may include an enterprise content settlement server including an extract, transfer and load process configured to receive a first set of usage data and a second set of usage data. The system may further include an enterprise content settlement engine configured to settle the first set of usage data and the second set of usage data according to a contract including at least one settlement rule. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137775 | Passive RFID postage stamps and method of using the same - A system and method for postage payment utilizes passive RFID tags as postage “stamps”, with the amount of the postage automatically billed to a previously-established customer account. The tags are stored in a separate stamp database and are “enabled” by linking the individual tag to a customer account. The use of the RFID stamps eliminates the need for the customer to know the proper postage beforehand. The existence of a customer account with a proper return address reduces the likelihood of a dead letter. Also, a special category of stamps may be used for automatic reply mail. By virtue of using an RFID tag, the mailed item's progress through the postal delivery system may be tracked from dispatch to delivery. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137776 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING AND/OR RECOMMENDING THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO A USER - Systems and methods are described for an electronic services management system that enables a user to manage all or many of his or her third party products and services from one electronic platform. Specifically, the system includes operative connections to service provider systems so as to track customer usage of various third party products and services, and thus provide the user with a consolidated view of the user's products and services and enable the user to track usage and expense of the services, compare the expense to predetermined budget amounts, compare the usage to other users, etc. Additionally, the services management system recommends personalized product or service offerings to users based on the users' preferences and specific service usage. Further, the system provides alerts to the users when certain usage or expenditure thresholds are reached, when payments become due, or when new offers, deals, or service promotions become available. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137777 | Management Of Volumetric Product Delivery - A billing system for supply contrasts in an industrial network is disclosed. In the case of a pipeline, a process flow computer installed at each customer site may each receive instantaneous flow readings from a flow meter. The process flow computer may be configured to accumulate product volumes in different volume groups, where each volume group corresponds to a range of instantaneous flow rates. Different volume groups may be associated with different rates ultimately charged to a customer. The volume groups may be assigned by a computing system running a billing application at a pipeline operations control center. Volume groups may be set for individual customers based on a contract summary of an agreement between a given customer and the operator of an industrial network. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137778 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF REALIZING PROPER BILLING PROCESSING, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus which make it possible to achieve correct billing processing free from an error in the amount of processed pages and prevent users from using a service without being billed. A cloud is connected via a network to a printer that receives data and performs image processing thereon. A processing server performs predetermined processing on data received via the network. A directory server transmits processed data formed by the predetermined processing to the printer. A billing server performs billing for the predetermined processing, after a completion notification indicative of completion of the image processing is received from the printer. The director server determines whether the received data requires the completion notification. When the received data requires the completion notification, the directory server transmits processed data of a next page after receiving the completion notification on processed data of a preceding page. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137779 | SHINGLES CUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - Is hereby provided an apparatus for batch cutting shingles, the apparatus comprising a table including a carriage module for receiving a plurality of shingle sheets thereon; and a power pack module supported by the table and operatively connected to a cutting module including at least two cutting blades mounted on a support arm, the two cutting blades being disposed at an angle thereof and adapted to simultaneously cut the plurality of shingle sheets to produce a plurality of shingle caps. A method of billing shingles cuttings with an apparatus for batch cutting shingle sheets and a method of cutting bundles of sheaves is also provided. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137780 | PACKAGE BILLING FOR MICRO-TRANSACTIONS - The invention relates to a method and system for billing a mobile device user for a services and/or products requested by the user, in which a message request is received from the mobile service that is directed to the mobile device user, and wherein the mobile phone user is charged only once for a predefined amount or number of message-related services or products, thereby making the billing experience clearer to the user. | 06-09-2011 |
20110145114 | COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM FOR SELF-MANAGED INCENTIVE PROGRAM - This invention is directed to a computer implemented system and method for enabling a user to create a self-managed incentive program. A provider system coupled to a communication network is provided for access by a plurality of authorized users associated with a plurality of client organizations. A hierarchy module having a plurality of information fields to be completed by a user, the information fields including fields for receiving data concerning the user's personnel and divisions, an incentive program module that allows a user to establish one or more incentive programs in respect to the personnel and divisions in accordance with user selected criteria. The hierarchy module and the incentive program module are operated by a corporate user without the requirement for assistance of a system provider. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145115 | CUSTOMIZED CONTENT BILLING MANAGEMENT SERVER AND METHOD - Provided is a customized billing method for content service. A content service billing method in a billing management server for charging a fee for use of content service provided to a user via a communication network includes collecting billing information for calculating a content service use fee for a user from a network switch and a policy control server, and calculating the content service use fee using the collected billing information. Accordingly, customized billing considering communication network performance, service quality, and content properties is feasible. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145116 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING PAYMENT DUE NOTIFICATIONS - Systems and methods for generating payment due notifications are provided. A payor and a payee of the payor may be identified by a payment service provider system. At least one notification control parameter associated with communicating payment due notifications to the payor may be identified. Based at least in part upon evaluating a payment history associated with one or more payments made to the payee on behalf of the payor, a payment frequency pattern may be determined. Based at least in part on a portion of the payment history and the determined payment frequency pattern, a next expected payment date may be calculated. In accordance with the at least one notification control parameter, a payment due notification including an identity of the payee and the next expected payment date may be generated. The payment due notification may be transmitted to the payor. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153478 | Device and Method for Settlement Optimization - A settlement device for optimizing a transaction includes an input module, a processor, and an output module. The input module receives transaction data of the transaction. The processor determines an optimal location to process the transaction as a function of predetermined rules. The output module transmits the transaction data to the optimal location. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153479 | Alternative Approach to Deployment and Payment for Digital Certificates - A method for managing payment of digital certificates includes receiving a request to issue a digital certificate to a subscriber, capturing and saving payment information of the subscriber, performing a first authentication and verification of the subscriber at a first time, and performing at least one additional authentication and verification of the subscriber at least once every authentication period. A long-lived certificate is issued to the subscriber provided the subscriber is authenticated and verified. The long-lived certificate is valid for an expiration period. However, the long-lived certificate is revoked if (1) the additional authentications and verification produce invalid results, or (2) if payment is not received during a payment period. The authentication period is shorter than the expiration period and there are at least a first and a second authentication period within the expiration period. The expiration period is longer than the authentication period. | 06-23-2011 |
20110161215 | Method and System for Tracking Billing Information - Described herein are systems and methods for tracking, monitoring, projecting and reporting billing information. One embodiment is related to a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions that are executable by a processor, the set of instructions being operable to receive billing data from at least one billing process, analyze changes in the at least one billing process, monitor the at least one billing process for an occurrence of time-based events, reconcile unique identifiers within the billing data to verify data integrity, generate a billing report based on the changes, the time-based events and data integrity, and audit the billing report for format errors. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161216 | DYNAMIC CENTRALIZED UNIT DETERMINATION IN A CREDIT CONTROL CHARGING SYSTEM - A charging system includes a rating engine, a session control module, and a charging unit determination module. The session control module receives a request for service units, associated with a charging session, from a client or service element, and obtains one or more input parameters from the request for service units. The charging unit determination module obtains account data associated with the request for service units, determines at least one charging session related parameter based on the one or more input parameters and/or the account data, and pass the at least one charging session related parameter to the rating engine. The rating engine grants service units based on the at least one charging session related parameter, and forwards an indication of the granted service units to the session control module for return to the client or service element. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161217 | Conditionally obfuscating one or more secret entities with respect to one or more billing statements - A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: associating one or more fees with one or more communiqués affiliated with one or more secret entities and addressed to a particular end user; and providing one or more billing statements that indicate the one or more fees without at least directly identifying the one or more secret entities, the providing of the one or more billing statements being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the particular end user to conditionally obfuscate the one or more secret entities with respect to the one or more billing statements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 06-30-2011 |
20110166972 | Conditionally obfuscating one or more secret entities with respect to one or more billing statements - A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: associating one or more fees with one or more communiqués affiliated with one or more secret entities and addressed to a particular end user; and providing one or more billing statements that indicate the one or more fees without at least directly identifying the one or more secret entities, the providing of the one or more billing statements being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the particular end user to conditionally obfuscate the one or more secret entities with respect to the one or more billing statements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166973 | Conditionally obfuscating one or more secret entities with respect to one or more billing statements related to one or more communiques addressed to the one or more secret entities - A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: associating one or more fees with one or more communiqués that were transmitted by a particular end user and addressed to one or more secret entities; and providing one or more billing statements that indicate the one or more fees without at least directly identifying the one or more secret entities, the providing of the one or more billing statements being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the particular end user to conditionally obfuscate the one or more secret entities with respect to the one or more billing statements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166974 | Conditionally obfuscating one or more secret entities with respect to one or more billing statements related to one or more communiques addressed to the one or more secret entities - A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: associating one or more fees with one or more communiqués that were transmitted by a particular end user and addressed to one or more secret entities; and providing one or more billing statements that indicate the one or more fees without at least directly identifying the one or more secret entities, the providing of the one or more billing statements being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the particular end user to conditionally obfuscate the one or more secret entities with respect to the one or more billing statements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 07-07-2011 |
20110173105 | Utilizing AAA/HLR infrastructure for Web-SSO service charging - An apparatus (such as a AAA node of a core/operator network) receives from a relying party an initial credit control request that bears first information comprising a relying party identifier, a service context identifier for a service to be provided by the relying party, and a token that authenticates a subscriber. The first information is extracted and forwarded to a core network accounting server that stores account information for the subscriber. The relying party is not within the core network. In reply to forwarding the extracted first information, the apparatus receives from the accounting server a credit control answer that bears second information comprising the relying party identifier, the service context identifier, and a grant indicating the subscriber may be charged a fee for the service to be provided by the relying party. The second information is extracted and forwarded to the relying party. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173106 | Systems and Methods to Route Messages to Facilitate Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account and a phone number associated with the account and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to select a first controller based at least in part on reducing cost, and to instruct the first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a first message to a mobile device at the phone number to facilitate a transaction related to funds associated with the phone number. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173107 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATING A SERVICE ACCESS GATEWAY WITH BILLING AND REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - Systems and methods are described for integrating a gateway in a telecom network environment with charging and payment functionality. The gateway is provided with three points of integration with charging and billing servers. These three points include a payment service, a charging data record listener and a credit control interceptor. The payment service provides an interface for client applications that reside outside of the telecom network to invoke a charging request, to translate the charging request and to relay it to the billing server. The charging data record listener listens for charging data records generated within the gateway and issues offline charging requests to the billing server upon detecting that a particular charging data record has been generated. The credit control interceptor intercepts requests in the communication traffic flowing through the gateway and initiates online charging requests to the billing server upon intercepting said requests. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173108 | GATEWAY FOR ENABLING CLOUD-BASED SERVICE EXPOSURE - Systems and methods are described for providing a gateway that enables cloud-based service exposure. The gateway can allow a particular operator to expose its services and to control, manage and monetize the communication traffic that accesses these services. In accordance with one use case, the gateway can be utilized to expose the services of a Web based application to other external service providers and applications and to manage, control and monetize the requests received from the external providers to the exposed service. In accordance with another use case, the gateway can be utilized to expose the excess capacity of a telecom network, such as a code division multiple access (CDMA) network or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network and to manage the access to the exposed capacity of the network. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173109 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - A system uses an intelligent load controller for managing use of a consumable resource at an associated load. The controller has a resource measuring component for measuring the rate of use of the resource by the associated load, including measuring at least one of an instantaneous usage rate and a usage rate over an integration period and a load status component for receiving load status data for the associated load. The controller also has a communication component for receiving control messages from and sending load status messages to other associated controllers; a memory for storing a load control goal set; and a load control computer program responsive to the resource measuring component, the load status component, the control messages from other associated controllers and the load control goal set, to determine a load operating level for, and provide control commands to, the associated load. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173110 | RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM MONITOR - A renewable energy monitoring system collects streams of informational reports from remote renewable energy systems. It separates the data streams by client, and client identification, in order to template such data streams onto models of clients' equipment configurations and topologies. The system sorts and groups client data by categories, so workstations can be employed to access statistics, monitor operational flags, initiate/display reports, and control system operations. Particular client/user information is accumulated and assembled on a per account basis to issue client statements, revenue checks, invoices, and controls, wherein, headquarters workstations can be used to access single-client statistics, monitor operational flags, initiate/display reports, and engage payables, receivables, and general ledger accounting operations. Selected information is posted to the Internet on a webpage for respective users, so each user can query how much electricity they are generating/using, and the net amount they are exporting. Various kinds of charts and graphics are rendered in HTML to make the data easy to navigate, absorb and understand. | 07-14-2011 |
20110178904 | Method for Accounting Information Handling in an Interworking - A method for accounting information handling in an interworking is provided. A method for processing accounting information by a gateway device includes sending an accounting request message to a first electronic device, and receiving a response message from a first electronic device, the response message responsive to the accounting request message. The accounting request message is related to a communications device attached to the first network. The method also includes processing accounting information. The processing is based on the response message, the gateway device and the first electronic device are part of the first network, the communications device is accessing a second network through the first network, and the communications device has a subscription only with the second network. | 07-21-2011 |
20110184841 | TRANSACTION BASED LICENSING SYSTEM - Disclosed is a method for transaction based licensing. The method comprises generating an entry in a transaction database at the start of a transaction issued by an application. On completion of the transaction, the entry in the transaction database is completed. Finally, a licensing charge is computed based on one or more completed entries in the transaction database. | 07-28-2011 |
20110184842 | ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE VEHICLES - An energy transfer system comprises a transmitter array, an energy transfer controller, a receiver array, a charging module. The transmitter array is embedded in a roadway and the energy transfer controller is coupled to the transmitter array. The receiver array and the charging module are part of a mobile vehicle. The transmitter array and the receiver array each include a plurality of coils. The energy transfer controller estimates a likely trajectory of the mobile vehicle and energizes individual coils of the transmitter array using this position estimate. The energy transfer controller varies the resonant circuit component values of the transmitter during the transfer cycle such as resonant coupling capacitance values. The charging module also varies the resonant circuit component values of the coils in the receiver array to match the transfer array for transfer of energy from the transmitter array to the receiver array. The present invention also includes a method for energy transfer. | 07-28-2011 |
20110184843 | ENHANCED ELECTRONIC ANONYMOUS PAYMENT SYSTEM - Enhanced systems and methods for processing invoices, payments, and money transfers are described. One aspect of the invention is a computer-implemented method (and corresponding system and computer program product) for making payments between a plurality of different payors and a plurality of different issuers through a payment system, comprising: retrieving a plurality of invoices issued by a plurality of different issuers and issued to a plurality of different payors; receiving a request from at least one of the plurality of different payors for making a payment to at least one of the plurality of different issuers in response to at least one of the plurality of invoices; and in response to receiving the request, making a payment from a bank account of said payors to a bank account of said issuer without disclosing the bank accounts. | 07-28-2011 |
20110191220 | METHOD FOR CHARGING A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with an external power source. In an exemplary embodiment, the method receives one or more utility rate preferences from a user, determines the utility rates of a local utility company, determines the total charging time needed to charge the plug-in electric vehicle, uses the utility rate preferences, the utility rates and the total charging time to develop several charging options that are presented to a user, and charges the plug-in electric vehicle according to the charging option selection made by the user. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191221 | APPROVAL AND PAYMENT PORTAL - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for web-based portal that facilitates payment approval by a payor and provides selectable payment options to the payee. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191222 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING EVENTS - Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include receiving, by a portal, requests from entities to become members, selectively granting the requests by the portal, receiving information by the portal from a plurality of first members, in response to requests from the first members, creating member files in the database using the received information, the files corresponding to the first members, receiving an information request by the portal from a second member, and selectively supplying by the portal to the second member, information from at least one of the files, the supplied information being selected based on the requests. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191223 | Internet Control Management and Accounting in a Utility Computing Environment - The present invention relates to a method of Internet usage tracking and billing in a utility computing environment and also to a system for control, management and accounting of the said internet usage on per user basis. The present invention is also directed to resolve the issue of same IP address for multiuser and tracking of the Internet usage and bandwidth control on consolidation in utility computing environment, by introducing a separate Utility Computing Internet Control Server (ICS) between the terminal server (TS) and the Internet. All internet traffic originating from the TS are redirected to go through the ICS. The invented system and the method of dynamic control and management according to the present invention deal primarily with the tracking and billing model of the Internet resource in the Utility Computing Environment on per user basis. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191224 | MESSAGE BROADCASTING NETWORK USAGE BILLING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for determining billable transmission network usage for transmitting a broadcast message to a plurality of broadcast message receiving devices located within a broadcast target area by a broadcast transmission network serving a network serving area with a plurality of network transmission elements each serving a network element portion of the network serving area including determining the network transmission elements having network element serving area portions that serve at least a portion of the received broadcast target area, determining network element serving areas, determining a density of broadcast receiving devices, and generating over an output data interface an incurred network usage record for the broadcast message record as a function of the determined density and the network element broadcast area served. | 08-04-2011 |
20110196768 | Legal billing enhancement method and apparatus - A method of creating a finalized invoice, having steps of creating a preliminary invoice, the invoice including individual tasks for activities accomplished, submitting the preliminary invoice to an automated rules engine, searching the preliminary invoice for keywords that define possible violations of a company's litigation billing guidelines, highlighting any invoice task that contains identified keywords that would define a possible violation of a company's litigation billing guidelines, querying a user to accept changes to an invoice task based upon the identified keywords, and modifying the preliminary invoice into the finalized invoice after the accepted changes have been conducted after the querying of the user. Using the searchable database to create reports that provide average rates charged by law firms on specific types of legal matters in all geographic areas, reports to evaluate which tasks are not being fully compensated by a specific company or legal auditing system, reports to evaluate the average cost to defend specific types of cases in specific jurisdictions. | 08-11-2011 |
20110202441 | SMSWINCARD - The Smswincard invention revolutionizes the interactive, text based game market. Traditionally, winners of SMS sweepstakes, text-to-win sweepstakes, and respective state lottery scratch-to-win games have all purported being able to make the player an ‘instant winner’. The reality is that ‘instant win’ awards take anywhere between 6-8 weeks to be verified, processed, and actually awarded in some tangible form. Smswincard provides a means for instant verification of a winning game-piece, instant transfer of winner's account information to host, and allows for the hosts to award cash prizes immediately via wire transfer. The Smswincard platform combines cell phones, prepaid Visa debit/ATM cards, and SMS technologies to make ‘instant win’ actually instant. By combining a means of playing, a means of verifying winners, and a way to transfer and house funds, the Smswincard will be the new medium when playing any kind of ‘instant win’ game and in awarding or transferring prize money. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202442 | ENTERPRISE RENDERING PLATFORM WITH TRANSACTIONAL BILLING AND CHARTING FEATURES - An enterprise rendering platform for providing enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) functionality for a computing device having a web browser includes at least one ERP system storing enterprise data on at least one server. A rendering workbench providing a GUI-based editor in which metadata for at least one selected ERP function is presented to a setup user, and in which a view for executing the ERP function may be created with no coding. The view may be designed to include dynamically created charts of received ERP data. If a user's ERP request from executing the view is determined to be chargeable, a transactional billing charge may be recorded by creating a billing database record for the chargeable ERP request. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202443 | System For Wireless Cybermedia Services - A wireless cybermedia system of commerce in communications, comprising a business process and open network management system for syndication, performance and distribution of multimedia content to wireless residential, institutional and educational users; original articles of manufacture specifically including a transceiver device and navigation interfaces for processing network metadata; and a wireless broadband supernetwork apparatus for scalable delivery of internet protocol multimedia services. | 08-18-2011 |
20110208626 | POSTAL SEAMLESS ACCEPTANCE SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING - A mail processing system and method. A method includes receiving a mailing manifest that includes mailpiece identifiers. Each mailpiece identifier corresponds to an individual mailpiece in a group of mailpieces, and the mailing manifest includes a mailer identification that identifies the mailer of the group of mailpieces. The method includes processing the group of mailpieces and tracking the status of each of the mailpieces. The method includes updating the status of the mailpiece identifiers on the mailing manifest according to the tracking, and producing mail processing data. The method includes analyzing and storing the mail processing data. | 08-25-2011 |
20110208627 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEGAL BILLING IN A NETWORKED ENVIRONMENT - A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed in which a network-based e-commerce environment includes billing a client at a periodic flat rate for a pre-defined scope of legal advice in pre-defined areas of legal services and offering the client, as part of the periodic flat rate, an alternative billing option of participating in a litigation defense program having a graduated fee structure based on an outcome of a litigation. In other embodiments, a network-based e-commerce environment includes offering the client participation in an accrual of credits at a predetermined multiplier of the periodic flat rate paid whereby such credits are accrued over time and may be redeemed to offset legal fees otherwise payable. | 08-25-2011 |
20110208628 | System and Method for Providing Interoperability Between Diameter Policy Control and Charging in a 3GPP Network - A system and method are described whereby interoperability is facilitated in a 3GPP network environment in combination with DIAMETER policy controls. Such interoperability enables updated policy rules to be fully communicated in on-line charging situations where quota expirations occur. This invention maintains centralized policy control in a 3GPP network with on-line charging. | 08-25-2011 |
20110213686 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING A SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION IN A CLOUD NETWORK - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing a software subscription between an independent software vendor (ISV) and a cloud network provider. In embodiments, the software subscription can be a Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement whereby an amount of resources of the cloud network to be operated by end users can be specified. In embodiments, a resource tracking module associated with the cloud network can track the actual amount of resources operated by the end users in executing applications associated with the ISV. The resource tracking module can compare the actual amount to the amount specified in the SaaS, and adjust the resources of the cloud network accordingly. In embodiments, the SaaS can be updated based on the adjustment. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213687 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OR A USAGE MANAGER FOR CROSS-CLOUD APPLIANCES - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for a usage manager for cross-cloud appliances. A vendor, developer, or other user can generate one or more sets of computing appliances, comprising special-purpose pre-configured physical or virtual machines. The vendor can register an image of the one or more appliances to an image generation service, which can store that image along with the subscription model desired for that set of appliances. The image generation service can generate, test, and install a set of cloud-based images of the underlying appliances to a cloud environment including multiple, diverse clouds. The image generation service can adjust the cloud-based images as well as the subscription model to match the services and other resources of individual clouds, and ensure compatibility across multiple clouds. The image generation service can track usage data for billing or other management purposes. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213688 | PROCESS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK ACCESS FOR A USER VIA A NETWORK PROVIDER TO A SERVICE PROVIDER - For providing a simple network access process which can be used for accessing network with focus on a single service a process for providing network access for a user via a Network Provider (NP) to a Service Provider (SP) is claimed, the process including: establishing a connection between the user and the Network Provider (NP) by user's request to access the Service Provider (SP); authenticating of the user by a user's Identity Provider (IdP) on request of the Network Provider (NP); transmitting data from the Identity Provider (IdP) to the Network Provider (NP), so that the Network Provider (NP) has the information that the Service Provider (SP) or a third party is payee of the access fees; and providing the access for the user via the Network Provider (NP) to the Service Provider (SP) by the Network Provider (NP). | 09-01-2011 |
20110213689 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING OPTIMAL BILL/PAYMENT SCHEDULE - A method and system for generating bill payment schedule utilizes a composite pricing module to generate payment schedule over a predetermined period of time. In one aspect, a fraction of each pricing model attributing to the composite pricing model is determined. A charge fee associated with said each pricing model based on said fraction and said total price to charge is determined. Price to charge during each time unit of the time period is allocated, based on budget over the time period, discount rate, target profit margin and risk affordance. Bill schedule is generated using the allocated price. | 09-01-2011 |
20110218897 | Content Stream Management - Content stream management techniques are described. In an implementation, a communication is examined at a client device from at least one other client device that describes per stream usage of network bandwidth by the at least one other client device to receive content. Usage of the network bandwidth at the client device is managed based on the communication and a determination of per stream usage of the network bandwidth to receive content by the client device that also consumes at least a portion of the network bandwidth. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218898 | METHODS, APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUMS FOR USE IN GENERATING A CUSTOMS EXPORT DOCUMENT - According to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems and/or computer readable mediums are provided. According to some embodiments, a method includes generating at least one shipment request data object based at least in part on at least one outbound delivery data object; generating at least one freight unit data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment request data object; generating at least one shipment data object based at least in part on the at least one freight unit data object; generating at least one invoice data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment data object; and generating at least one customs export document based at least in part on the at least one invoice. | 09-08-2011 |
20110225074 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION AS A SERVICE VIA WEB SERVICES - Aspects are disclosed for providing information as a service via web services. Access to at least one application programming interface (API) database is facilitated and requests for a requested API are parsed. Here, such API requests facilitate a processing of data provided by at least one content provider. In an aspect, each request includes a key associated with a developer of the requested API and a unique identifier associated with a user of the requested API. A usage of the requested API is then tracked based on the key and/or unique identifier. | 09-15-2011 |
20110225075 | Field 55 Data Relationships - A data mining device, method, and apparatus configured to associate customer exclusive data from a payment card or device after a financial transaction. A financial transaction processing system comprises a report distribution management system, a data relationship manager, and a customer exclusive data association database. The report distribution management system receives financial transaction data. The data relationship manager determines an issuer associated with the financial transaction data, queries a subscription database for subscription data associated with the issuer and a core database for the issuer processing parameters. The processing parameters are applied to the financial transaction data and the subscription data. A customer exclusive data association database is updated with the financial transaction data once the processing parameters are applied. | 09-15-2011 |
20110238544 | Method and system for managing interactive communications campaigns with proactive payments - A messaging platform includes a messaging subsystem that provides client-configurable proactive payment function. During a given interactive communications campaign, this function proactively contacts each of a set of target customers about a future (upcoming) payment amount and deadline (e.g., a minimum credit card payment, a monthly committed payment, or the like) and attempts to facilitate a “proactive payment” event associated with that payment. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238545 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING BUNDLED SERVICES - Techniques for supporting bundled services of network operators and service providers include generating a view to be presented on a display, the view comprising data that indicates a service provided by a vendor over a network. It is determined whether the service is associated with a service feature of a network operator of at least a portion of the network. If the service is associated with the service feature of the network operator, then data that indicates the service feature of the network operator is inserted into the view. The view is provided for transmission over the network. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238546 | MANAGING COMMITTED PROCESSING RATES FOR SHARED RESOURCES - Commitments against various resources can be dynamically adjusted for customers in a shared-resource environment. A customer can provision a data volume with a committed rate of Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS) and pay only for that commitment (plus any overage), for example, as well as the amount of storage requested. The customer can subsequently adjust the committed rate of IOPS by submitting an appropriate request, or the rate can be adjusted automatically based on any of a number of criteria. Data volumes for the customer can be migrated, split, or combined in order to provide the adjusted rate. The interaction of the customer with the data volume does not need to change, independent of adjustments in rate or changes in the data volume, other than the rate at which requests are processed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238547 | Charging Control Providing Correction of Charging Control Information - There is proposed a charging control in which a policy and charging control function provides first (preliminary) charging control information, such as PCC rules, when the communication connection is set up or modified. Then, service information can be retrieved leading to an updated set of charging control information. The policy and charging control function provides then the updated charging control information for enforcement, wherein the charging system is informed about both the preliminary nature of the first charging control information and the validity of the second charging control information for a time before the update, i.e. before the transmission of the second charging control information. The charging system can use this updated charging control information and knows that it has to replace the former charging control information, so that the charging procedure can be corrected accordingly. Thus, charging of a service miming on the communication connection on the basis of correct charging control information is possible over the complete time the service is running. | 09-29-2011 |
20110246342 | CONSOLIDATED INVOICING AND PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR COMMUNITIES OF MULTIPLE MEMBERS - A method for billing community members is described herein, specifically, the method can comprise receiving a first bill from a first provider, wherein the first bill is associated with a first community debt of a community, further wherein the community comprises a plurality of community members. The method can also comprise separating the first bill into a plurality of first bill portions. Further the method can comprise transmitting each of the first bill portions to the one or more community members associated with each of the first bill portions, in community member invoices. | 10-06-2011 |
20110246343 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SERVICE TO END TERMINAL THAT USES AUTHENTICATION INFORMATION OF ANOTHER MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, SERVICE SERVER, MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, END TERMINAL, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The present invention relates to a system, a method, a service server, a mobile communication terminal, an end-point terminal, and a storage medium, for providing a service to an end-point terminal that uses authentication information of a mobile communication terminal to which it is not currently connected, wherein the end-point terminal is connected to a first mobile communication terminal and to a second mobile communication terminal through a short-range communication network and to a service server via the second mobile communication terminal. The end-point terminal uses the authentication information of the first mobile communication terminal and is connected to the service server which is connected to the first and second mobile communication terminals through the mobile communication network, for authenticating the end-point terminal that uses the authentication information of the first mobile communication terminal. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251937 | SOFTWARE LICENSE BROKERING WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - Under embodiments of the present invention, a set (at least one) of Clouds, a set of software providers, and a set of Cloud consumers (hereinafter “consumers”) are registered with a Cloud software license broker (hereinafter “broker”). Consumer information will be matched with the set of software providers to determine applicable licenses as well as pricing and usage rates. Use of software within the set of Clouds by the set of Cloud consumers will be tracked, aggregated, and reported. Based on the use, a licensing arrangement (including a price) will be determined. Applicable amounts will then be billed, and payments will be collected and disbursed (e.g., to the set of software providers) in accordance with the licensing arrangements. Under the present invention, prices/amounts can be determined based on a per use/on-demand of software and/or based on use of the software over an interval of time (e.g., interval-based pricing). | 10-13-2011 |
20110251938 | Computer-implemented method for managing commodity consumption within an industrial production facility - Techniques are disclosed for managing certain aspects of a large industrial operation (such as a pipeline). A commodity materials invoice system may allow a user to model a commodity invoice as a template and subsequently use that template to model commodity usage for different periods of time. Costs for a given billing period may be estimated based on actual commodity consumption. For example, data from a SCADA system monitoring different aspects of a pipeline may be used to estimate invoice costs for retail commodity consumption. The commodity materials invoice system may be configured to present both estimated and actualized invoice data side-by-side, allowing users to make a direct comparison of the estimated and actualized invoice data. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251939 | PROVISIONING SYSTEM FOR NETWORK RESOURCES - A method and system of provisioning resources installed in a network element. Resources are installed in the network element. As resources are placed into service, a notification is transmitted to the vendor. The vendor generates an invoice, and the service provider generates a purchase order. Furthermore, a capacity planning system may monitor the system as resources are placed into service. If the amount of spare resources fall below a predetermined limit, the capacity planning system may transmit a request to the vendor for the additional equipment. In this manner, resources may be installed prior to the actual need for the resources. The resources may then be paid for by the service provider as the resources are needed and placed into service, thereby enabling a risk-sharing arrangement between the service provider and the vendor. | 10-13-2011 |
20110258093 | Portable Power Distribution Enhancements - Some embodiments provide a power distribution system that includes a set of distributed power stations. Each power station includes a lockable power supply that enables and disables the flow of power and a set of input controls that are used to provide inputs to the power station. The power station includes a processor for validating an input that is provided through the set of input controls in order to enable or disable the flow of power. In some embodiments, the power station includes a magnetic stripe reader that extracts information from an encoded magnetic stripe and the processor parses the information to identify user identification or billing information. In some embodiments, the power station includes a signal extender for providing a WiFi, GSM, CDMA, or 3G signal that is used by the user device for communications. In some embodiments, the power station includes a display for displaying content. | 10-20-2011 |
20110258094 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTIMEDIA CONFERENCE OPERATION CHARGING - A method and system for charging a multimedia conference service are provided, wherein the method comprises: an MMTel AS sending an ACR message to a CDF unit according to a corresponding service request initiated by a UE; the CDF unit generating a corresponding CDR according to the received ACR message, and sending the generated CDR to a CGF unit; and the CGF unit preprocessing the received CDR, and sending, according to a pre-established rule, a CDR file to a BD to generate a corresponding bill; wherein the ACR message and the CDR comprise the a field of CONF ID and a field of Online Participants Number. | 10-20-2011 |
20110264571 | BROKERING AND PAYMENT OPTIMIZATION FOR CLOUD COMPUTING - A system includes a receiving module to receive a purchase inquiry for a cloud computing service from a consumer in a first currency. A pricing module is used to price-out the cloud computing service from a provider where the cloud computing service is provided in a second currency. A reconciliation module reconciles the purchase of the cloud computing service in the consumer's geographical location and currency with the provider's location and currency. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264572 | ENABLING REMOTE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - A financial services and transaction network including multiple networked validation stations and remote terminals allows users to access a number of financial services and transactions. In some embodiments, a user indicates a desired service or transaction. The user provides any currency or information needed for the selected service, after which the user receives an identifier or transaction voucher. The user can take this identifier or voucher to any of the validation stations in order to authenticate the user's identity, if not already authenticated. Once the voucher or identifier is activated, the user or a recipient can present the voucher or identifier at any remote terminal to receive funding or otherwise complete the transaction or service. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270722 | CHARGING METHOD SELECTION FOR SERVICE DATA FLOWS BASED ON THE DATA SERVICES BEING REQUESTED - Systems and methods are disclosed for performing Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for packet core networks. One embodiment comprises a PCC architecture that includes an online charging system (OCS). The OCS receives a request for charging rules for an initial data service from a PCRF. The request from the PCRF includes a service indicator for the initial data service. The OCS selects a charging method for the initial data service based on the service indicator, and transmits a response to the PCRF that includes the selected charging method. The PCRF may then make a PCC decision based on the charging method selected by the OCS, and a PCEF may enforce PCC rules for the initial data service. If there is a service changing during a data session, the OCS selects a charging method for the new data service, and the PCRF updates the PCC rules accordingly. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270723 | DYNAMICALLY TRIGGERED APPLICATION CONFIGURATION - Dynamically triggered application configuration may be provided. An application trigger may be created and associated with a work area. A characteristic may be associated with a work implement. The work implement may be determined to be located in the work area and, if the characteristic of the work implement satisfies a condition associated with the application trigger, an application configuration may be transmitted to the work implement. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270724 | AGRICULTURAL INVENTORY AND INVOICE SYSTEM - An agricultural inventorying and invoicing system may be provided. A work task associated with an agricultural implement and a work area may be identified. If the agricultural implement is determined to be located within the work area, a work application for recording at least one data measurement associated with the work task may be initiated. If the work implement is determined to no longer be located within the work area, the work application may be halted and the recorded at least one data measurement may be transmitted to a central system. | 11-03-2011 |
20110276446 | HETEROGENEOUS SERVICE PROVIDER MODEL THROUGH PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE BASED TRANSIT SETTLEMENTS - A method and system of a heterogeneous service provider model through pay-for-performance based transit settlements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of Point of Presence (POP) locations between a head office and a branch office in a heterogeneous computer network configured to communicate data through a pay-per-performance peering relationship between different entities of the heterogeneous computer network. In this embodiment, the system implements a debit-credit mechanism configured to handle payments as well as penalties associated with violation of a pair-wise mutual agreement between independent for-profit entities providing network services in a segment of the heterogeneous computer network. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276447 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REAL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES - The present invention provides a method and a system for providing at least one communications service to one or more service providers by a communications service provider. Communications capabilities of the communications service provider are sliced into a plurality of virtual slices and each of the plurality of virtual slices is configured for a different service provider from among the one or more service providers. At least one communications service is provided to each of the one or more service providers through a respective configured virtual slice by the communications service provider. Each of the one or more service providers further provides the communications service to a user through the respective configured virtual slice in collaboration with the communications service provider. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276448 | PLUG-IN HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM - An invention is described that enables a vehicle's electrical energy storage devices to charge in parking areas in which components of this invention are installed. The amount of energy consumed, combined with the amount charged are the components of a transaction. An embodiment allows the vehicle owner to have the cost of the energy consumed charged to his home electric bill. Another embodiment allows the vehicle owner to have the cost of the energy consumed charged to his home electric bill by recording his personal identification number at a kiosk or other input device co-locate at the parking area. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276449 | System and Method for Determining Copyright Infringement and Collecting Royalties - The present invention describes methods for obtaining compensation for copyright infringement wherein in one embodiment the invention comprises the steps of obtaining infringement data related to a copyright infringement; extracting infringement information from the infringement data; sending an infringement notice to an Internet Service Provider, wherein the Internet Service Provider verifies that an infringer has committed copyright infringement based upon the infringement data that was provided to the Internet Service Provider; and sending a notice to the infringer regarding the infringement information, wherein the notice includes a payment option for reconciling the copyright infringement. Additionally, the present invention discloses a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer comprising the set of instructions including: obtaining infringement data; extracting infringement information from the infringement data; sending an infringement notice to an Internet Service Provider, wherein the Internet Service Provider verifies that an infringer has committed copyright infringement based upon the infringement data that was provided to the Internet Service Provider; and sending a notice to the infringer regarding the infringement information, wherein the notice includes a payment option for reconciling the copyright infringement. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276450 | INTEGRATED SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC BILL PRESENTMENT AND PAYMENT - The present invention relates generally to electronic commerce, and more particularly to methods and systems for integrating electronic bill presentment and payment among billers, consumers, banks and other financial institutions, electronic payment facilitators, and web portals and other spaces able to support an interface for presentment and/or payment of bills. | 11-10-2011 |
20110288973 | STATE-BASED COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION IN A DISCONNECTED SYSTEM - Some embodiments of a system and a method to verify compliance in a disconnected system have been presented. For instance, a provider server can collect system management server state hashes from a set of computer systems in transactions not directly related to billing between the provider server and the computer systems. The computer systems may be coupled to a system management server that is within an internal network of a customer. The provider server can verify compliance information submitted by the customer using the system management server state hashes collected without communicating with the system management server in the internal network. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288974 | SCALABLE BILLING WITH DE-DUPLICATION IN AGGREGATOR - Scalable handling of billing events that affect one or more accounts. A computing system partitions received events into a number of channels, perhaps by account identifier. The channels receive the events, process the events, and forwards the events to an aggregator to allow the events to be aggregated by account to allow for easier computation of a bill. The aggregator also performs de-duplication of events to help reduce the risk of double billing. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288975 | SCALABLE BILLING WITH DE-DUPLICATION AND SEQUENCING - Scalable handling of billing events that affect one or more accounts. A computing system partitions received events into a number of channels, perhaps by account identifier. The channels receive the events, and perform de-duplication of the events to help reduce the risk of double billing. The channel then assigns the event a channel specific sequence number. The sequenced events may perhaps then be aggregated by account to allow for easier computation of a bill. | 11-24-2011 |
20110295727 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AGGREGATE MONITORING OF UTILIZATION DATA FOR VENDOR PRODUCTS IN CLOUD NETWORKS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for the aggregate monitoring of utilization data for vendor products in cloud networks. A service can be abstracted and provided external to a set of cloud networks which can access the management system(s), vendor databases, or other resources in those clouds, and generate selective reports on application or other usage across those diverse cloud networks. A network user may wish to generate a report on the usage history of software or services in multiple host clouds, without establishing or accessing individual tracking servers or services in each of the host cloud networks. In aspects, the user may also wish to generate an aggregate report combining multiple vendors, user groups, software, or other attributes. The usage report(s) can be configured to use different criteria or generate different outputs on a dynamic basis, e.g. in different times frames, or altering reports under different usage conditions. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295728 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE DATA IN A MULTI-TENANT DATABASE SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT - A method of collecting data from multiple sources in a multi-tenant system is provided. The method includes obtaining data corresponding to a first tenant in the multi-tenant system and a second tenant in the multi-tenant system from a first source, obtaining data corresponding to the first tenant in the multi-tenant system and the second tenant in the multi-tenant system from a second source, and aggregating the data obtained from the first and second sources into a single database and associating each entry of the obtained data with at least one of the tenants of the multi-tenant system. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295729 | Management apparatus and billing method thereof - A management apparatus and a billing method which calculates a billing charge by using a cumulative output amount for a target billing period. In the management apparatus and billing method a billing charge is calculated by using a cumulative output amount for a target billing period, a cumulative output amount quota having the cumulative output amount for the target billing period, and a quota unit price corresponding to the cumulative output amount quota of at least one image forming apparatus. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295730 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING VEHICLES - Systems and methods for charging vehicles. In some embodiments, a system includes at least one mobile device and a utility network management center (“NMC”). The at least one mobile device is configured as an electronic utility device and includes a network interface card (“NIC”). The at least one mobile device is also associated with a utility billing account and at least one utility commodity meter. The utility NMC is configured to communicate with the at least one mobile device and the at least one utility commodity meter over a network, locate the at least one mobile device, and monitor a state of the at least one utility commodity meter. The utility NMC is also configured to determine a usage of a commodity based on the state of the at least one utility commodity meter, and bill the utility billing account associated with the mobile device for the usage of the commodity. | 12-01-2011 |
20110302067 | Address billing computer database electronic commerce payment codes - An address billing computer database, system and method, for manually entering selective credit and debit card numbers, for providing fraud proof transactions. Providing secure mail order transactions, secure telecommunication transactions, and secure electronic commerce transactions. The ABC database provides manually entering billing numbers for direct shipping, and worldwide shipping, which identifies the account holder online, providing caller identification data for account holder verification, and fraud detection. | 12-08-2011 |
20110302068 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-TIER BILLING FOR DOWNLOADING CONTENT VIA A BROADBAND GATEWAY - A broadband gateway may be used to provide multi-tier billing services in a home network. The broadband gateway may determine whether a transaction requested from the broadband gateway is performable in a plurality of steps, may associate a charge and/or a credit with each of the determined plurality of steps, and may perform the requested transaction based on the associated charges and/or credits. The broadband gateway may determine a plurality of cost combinations for performing the requested transaction based on the determined associated charges and/or credits, and may offer the generated plurality of cost combination for selection by user. The transaction may comprise obtaining content for consumption by devices serviced by the broadband gateway. In this regard, a charge and/or a credit may also be associated with one or more criteria associated with obtaining content. The broadband gateway may communicate with users during multi-tier billing services via a user interface. | 12-08-2011 |
20110307361 | ENHANCED PAYMENTS FOR SHIPPING - Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for initiating shipment of and payment for shipping a parcel. For example, in one embodiment, a customer/user can receive a message on a user device from a carrier that includes an authorization code for shipping a parcel. After the customer/user ships the parcel, the carrier can charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider associated with the user device. In another embodiment, the customer/user can interact with a kiosk to ship the parcel. In this embodiment, the carrier can also charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider. | 12-15-2011 |
20110307362 | Method of Pay for Performance Accounting - A method of accounting for the consumption of digital material. By facilitating a dynamically sourced, streaming performance of digital material and then reporting the occurrence of the performance and the audience that was estimated to be listening to the performance, a performance value may be assessed, and the rights holders informed. The audience may then be billed and the digital material rights holder compensated. In response to a request for a performance of digital material, a performance device may be provided a location of a mechanical containing the material. The performance device may then stream a performance of the digital material without providing copyable access to the digital material mechanical. The streamed performance is accounted for, making the nature and location of the performance mechanical irrelevant. | 12-15-2011 |
20110313902 | Budget Management in a Compute Cloud - A mechanism is provided for managing a budget for a customer in a compute cloud. A cloud budget manager calculates charges for usage of compute cloud resources by each of the customer's services associated with the customer from a beginning of a time period to a current time thereby forming calculated charges. The cloud budget manager estimates charges for a remaining time in the time period thereby forming estimated charges. The cloud budget manager determines whether a sum of the calculated charges and the estimated charges exceeds an allocated budget. The cloud budget manager implements a policy in a plurality of policies that adjusts the level of services of the customer in order to fall within the allocated budget in real time in response to a determination that the sum of the calculated charges and the estimated charges exceeds the allocated budget. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313903 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FACILITATING AN END-TO-END SOLUTION FOR ONE OR MORE SERVICE OFFERINGS - A system and method facilitating an end-to-end solution for one or more service offerings. The end-to-end solution includes the modeling, provisioning, and rating of a single subscription as at least one of prepaid and postpaid. The system includes a CRM layer, an integration layer, a rating and billing management layer, and a service activation platform layer. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313904 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED GENERATION OF BILLS - The present invention provides methods and systems for processing bills electronically. Generally, a bill is created for a customer using billing information and master data from a biller and master data from a customer. Billing information is received from the biller by a first processing module having access to the master data of the biller. The first processing module generates a bill using the billing information and the master data of the biller. A second processing module having access to the master data of the customer provides customer data to the first processing module. The bill is transformed into a format specified in the master data of the customer by the first processing module if the format of the generated bill is not the format specified in the master data of the customer. The generated or transformed bill is transferred to the second processing module by the first processing module. | 12-22-2011 |
20110320326 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTING A BILLING GROUP IN AN INTERNET PROTOCOL ENVIRONMENT - A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. Each user group is assigned a unique group identifier, which can be a telephone number. As a result, a single telephony device belonging to a member of a user group can be associated with its own unique telephone number, and the telephone number of the user group. This also means that a member's telephony device could be associated with multiple different billing accounts. The system allows a user to select which of multiple different billing accounts that are associated with his telephony device are to be billed for outgoing communications. | 12-29-2011 |
20120005051 | Semi-Automated Customer Model-Based Service Deployment Into Data Centers - A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying instructions executed by a processor to perform a method for service creation and mapping between at least two support systems includes receiving a request for a new service, wherein the request includes resource requirement information and QOS requirement information corresponding to the new service, determining a location that the request originated from, identifying at least one data center within a communication range of the location, identifying at least one data center having resources complying with the resource requirement information, identifying at least one data center complying with the QOS requirement information, and deploying the new service into each data center that is within the communication range of the location, that has resources complying with the resource requirement information, and that complies with the QOS requirement information. | 01-05-2012 |
20120005052 | Data processing system for complex pricing and transactional analysis - The present invention provides methods and systems for defining financial transaction components; defining mapping rules for taking individual financial transactions and breaking them down into their components, such as production services, billing services and settlement services. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a transaction instance corresponding to a financial transaction, creates a production service instance linked to the transaction instance by a first relation instance, and creates a billing service instance linked to the production service instance by a second relation instance. The data processing system, may also create other production service instances linked to the transaction instance using other relation instances, as well as, other billing service instances linked to the production service instances. | 01-05-2012 |
20120011035 | MANAGEMENT OF ACTIONS BASED ON PRIORITY LEVELS AND CALENDAR ENTRIES - A management application implemented in a computational device maintains priorities corresponding to a plurality of resources coupled to the computational device. Indications for actions to be performed corresponding to occurrences of events are stored to a calendar, wherein the calendar is configurable by a user. A selected indication for an action to be performed is stored to the calendar. In response to an occurrence of an event associated with a selected resource, a priority of the selected resource is determined. The action is performed, based on at least the determined priority of the selected resource and the selected indication for the action stored in the calendar, wherein different actions are performed in response to occurrences of a selected event at different times. | 01-12-2012 |
20120011036 | ADVANCED FUNCTION USAGE-BASED BILLING - An apparatus, system, and method for advanced function usage-based billing. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a monitoring module, and a billing report module. The detection module detects use of one or more advanced functions on a storage controller. Each advanced function includes a license-based storage function separate from a standard function set. The monitoring module monitors the detected use of the one or more advanced functions on the storage controller. The communication module communicates billable use information to a billing entity. The billable use information is based on the monitored detected use | 01-12-2012 |
20120022985 | Lens Treatment Management System - A lens processing management system ( | 01-26-2012 |
20120022986 | NETWORK USAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM - A system includes a first database to associate a sub-interface identifier with customer information, a second database to store a history of customer usage records, and a first device. The first device may receive information from a routing device, where the information includes the sub-interface identifier for a sub-interface of the routing device and information identifying an amount of network traffic received at or transmitted from the sub-interface over a time period, use the sub-interface identifier to obtain the associated customer information from the first database, associate the customer information with the information identifying an amount of network traffic received at or transmitted from the sub-interface over a time period to create a new customer usage record, and store the new customer usage record in the second database. | 01-26-2012 |
20120030077 | DISTRIBUTIVE CORRELATION OF CHARGING RECORDS ACROSS NETWORK DOMAINS - Charging systems and associated methods are disclosed that provide correlation across network domains. The charging system includes a plurality of charging functions connected to one or both of an IMS domain and a packet bearer domain, such as a GPRS domain. A first one of the charging functions identifies the charging records for a particular session in the IMS domain based on a charging identifier. The first charging function then selects one of the charging functions on a per-session basis as a correlation charging function for the session, and forwards the identified charging records for the session in the IMS domain to the correlation charging function. A second one of the charging functions selects one of the charging functions on a per-session basis as the correlation charging function for the session, and also forwards charging records for the session in the packet bearer domain to the correlation charging function. | 02-02-2012 |
20120036054 | Method for tagging documents and communications with filing and billing information - A method for tagging documents and communications with filing and billing information in the context of an online social network. As the documents and communication are created an automatic tagging tool associates the created document or communication with a preselected set of information that corresponds to the document or communication, the social network member who made the creation, and the client for whom the work was performed. The information to be associated with each document and communication can be customized to include categories most applicable to the business of the user. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041855 | EV charging system with electric vehicle diagnostic - A charging station for recharging the battery of and electrically powered vehicle includes a diagnostic interface with the vehicle via an OBDII-type connection or the equivalent or alternatively via a wireless interface, optical interface or an electronic encoding imposed upon the charging current. Optionally a cooling system may be integrated into the charging station to enable thermal control of the energy storage system by providing heating or cooling via a second electrical circuit, or a fluid heat exchange system or by a gas heat exchange system. The charging station may produce a diagnostic test report for the EV that is sold to the vehicle operator, or the report may be provided to the vehicle operator gratis as an incentive to increase utilization of the recharging service. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041856 | MAPPING A MOBILE DEVICE LOCATION TO BILLING REGIONS IN INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEMS - A location mapping service (“LMS”) that allows the integrations of an IMS core with the location-based billing methods of a legacy core network. The LMS uses the estimated location of a mobile device during an IMS session in order to determine a Cell Global Identification (“CGI”) to associate with the session. The LMS then provides the determined CGI to the legacy core network, so that a billing gateway may determine the billing region to associate with the IMS session. The LMS thereby facilitates location-based billing for IMS sessions in the absence of actual CGI information. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041857 | Method and Apparatus For Providing Separable Billing Services - Methods and apparatus for providing separable billing services. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory for storing a data address associated with a first type of communication and a processor for receiving a data packet, the data packet comprising a destination data address. The processor compares the destination data address to the data address associated with the first type of communication, and routes the data packet to the destination data address if the destination data address matches the data address associated with the first type of communication and bills an account associated with the first type of communication. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041858 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SERVICE LEVEL MANAGEMENT - The system and method described herein may provide service level management, wherein business processes may be composed of services. A state of the service may be defined by one or more service parameters, which depend upon performance of network components that support the service (e.g., component parameters). The state of the service may depend, for example, on a collection of service parameter values for availability, reliability, security, integrity, and response time. A service level agreement is a contract between a supplier and a customer that identifies services supported by a network, service parameters for the service, and service levels (e.g., acceptable levels for each service parameter). | 02-16-2012 |
20120059748 | System and method for adaptive billing - Provided are systems and methods for execution by a processor of a client device and/or a provisioning system to provide adaptive billing. One method comprises receiving one or more available network access plans from a network provider when a current usage of a client device has passed a usage threshold of a current network access plan, providing the available network access plans for selection by a user, receiving a selected network access plan from the user, and transmitting the selected network access plan to the network provider to increase usage of the client device according to the selected network access plan. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059749 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING INTERIM BILLING FOR IMS SESSION USING TIME-BASED INTERIM ACCOUNTING MESSAGE TO DETERMINE INTERIM PROCESSING TRIGGER - A method and charging system for facilitating interim billing for an IMS session is provided. The method may include receiving time-based interim accounting messages at CDFs from NEs (i.e., CTFs) of an IMS network serving an IMS session, opening or updating interim CDRs for each NE serving the IMS session based on the time-based interim accounting messages, extracting accounting record numbers from the time-based interim accounting messages, the accounting record numbers uniquely identifying the time-based interim accounting message in relation to other interim accounting messages from the corresponding NE for the IMS session, and determining if a partial record closing trigger has been reached for the IMS session, wherein the interim processing trigger is a function of the accounting record number extracted from the time-based interim accounting message for the corresponding NE, an AII value, and a partial record closing threshold. | 03-08-2012 |
20120066102 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PUBLICLY VENDED CONTENT VIA A WIRELESS NETWORK - A system and method for vending digitized content over an Internet network path, at least a portion of which is wireless, such as an SDMA high data rate directional wireless path. Content in the form of IP packets is provided to a user terminal via a connect server in response to user requests, which can be real-time requests or which can be requests embodied in a user-defined or system-defined user profile. The user is billed using one or more of several billing paradigms, including by the content piece, by the number of IP packets sent to the user, by the length of time the user accesses the system, by the subscription, and so on. | 03-15-2012 |
20120066103 | RATING COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL COMMUNITIES - A number of communication entities can be associated to provide one or more special communities. A special rating can be applied to certain communication events of users associated with a special community. Users associated with a special community can be offered various services if they have subscribed to one or more plans. A user who has subscribed to a special community can communicate with other users of the same network or a different network who are also part of the special community for a special charge, such as without charge for example. | 03-15-2012 |
20120072322 | SELF-PROVISIONING BY A MACHINE OWNER - User provisioning of application services may be provided. A selection of a plurality of agricultural application services may be received from a authenticated user. A subscription entry comprising the selected application services may be created in a database. When a transmission is received from a machine comprising a data measurement and a machine identifier, the subscription entry may be determined to be associated with the machine identifier. The plurality of application services associated with the subscription entry may be invoked and the data measurement may be provided to the plurality of application services. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078763 | User Feedback in Semi-Automatic Question Answering Systems - A system applies rules to a set of documents to generate codes, such as billing codes for use in medical billing. A human operator provides input specifying whether the generated codes are correct. Based on the input from the human operator, the system attempts to identify which clause(s) in the rules which were relied on to generate the particular code are correct and which such clause(s) are incorrect. The system then assigns praise to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the correct clauses, and assigns blame to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the incorrect clauses. Such blame and praise may then be used to determine whether particular code-generating components are insufficiently reliable. The system may disable, or take other remedial action in response to, insufficiently reliable code-generating components. | 03-29-2012 |
20120084186 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS OF A MOBILE DEVICE SERVER - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which operates in a mobile device server and which has computer instructions to obtain a software application, store a first pairing key in a memory of the mobile device server where the first pairing key is generated by a device of a service provider in response to a review of the software application for compliance with at least one policy of the service provider, and execute a web server application at the mobile device server that is operable to detect a media resource center operably coupled with at least one media device, establish communications with the media resource center and transmit the first pairing key to the media resource center to enable at least a portion of services that are associated with the software application and that utilize the at least one media device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
20120084187 | System and Method for Managing Billing for Hotspot Network Access - There is provided a system and method for managing billing for hotspot network access. There is provided a mobile broadband hotspot comprising a processor configured to receive a credential from a device of a plurality of devices, track a data usage associated with the credential, submit the credential and the data usage to a central billing server, modify a billing statement associated with the credential using a billing policy in response to receiving the billing statement from the central billing server, and transmit the billing statement to the device for showing on a display of the device. Accordingly, the mobile broadband hotspot may track individual data usage and allow for flexible billing of individual data usage. | 04-05-2012 |
20120084188 | Method for interactively collaborating across online social networking communities - A method for interactively collaborating across several related but independent online social networking communities. Members of each networking communities share a common background or profession, such as being part of the medical, legal or banking industries. Each member has a profile associated with his or her networking community, by which they can interact with other members of the networking community to share contacts, documents, or other productivity functionalities. Members can also interact across networking communities via their networking profile. For example, a doctor who can use his profile from the medical networking community to interact with a lawyer who has a profile on the legal networking community. By promoting cross-community interaction, each group is able to increase their ability to communicate or share ideas and work product via the plurality of networking communities. | 04-05-2012 |
20120089494 | Privacy-Preserving Metering - Privacy protecting metering is described such as for electricity, gas or water metering, metering use of cloud computing resources, traffic congestion charging and other metering applications. In examples, fine grained user consumption data is kept private and not disclosed to a provider of a resource consumed by the user. In examples, a bill generator receives certified meter readings and a certified pricing policy and generates a bill which omits fine grained user consumption data. For example, the bill generator generates a zero knowledge proof that the bill is correct and sends that proof to a provider together with the bill. In examples a provider is able to check that the bill is correct using the zero knowledge proof without finding out the user's private consumption data. In an embodiment the pricing policy is stored as signed rows of a table to enable efficient generation of the zero knowledge proof. | 04-12-2012 |
20120089495 | SECURE AND MEDIATED ACCESS FOR E-SERVICES - A system for providing secure access for a user to network accessible services. The system comprises a client software agent to generate a services request that is determined by a user. A services software agent is included and the service software agent is in electronic communication with the client software agent, to receive and fulfill the services request. A permissions software agent has a listing of user permissions for the network accessible services. The permission software agent is in communication with the services software agent and the services software agent requests user permissions from the permissions services agent so as to enable activation of the network accessible services selected by the user. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095888 | ERROR REPORTING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CUSTOMIZATION FOR COMPUTING DEVICES - A method for providing technical support for a computing device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting a problem associated with a computing device. The method then determines a support level assigned to the computing device. A set of problems is associated with the support level. If the problem belongs to the set of problems associated with the support level, the method automatically sends a message to a support provider so that the support provider can address the problem. A corresponding system and computer program product are also described herein. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095889 | System and Method for the Automated Distribution, Management and Service of Court-Related Documents - Disclosed is a system and method for managing, distributing, and serving court-related documents. The system is operated by a host and utilized by a number of different entities that are involved in effecting service of court-related documents such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, petitions and warrants. By way of the system, these court-related documents can be electronically distributed and ultimately served in an efficient manner. The system also permits the automated invoicing and billing for service related activities. The archiving of data related to effecting service can also be carried out by the present system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095890 | System and Method for the Automated Distribution, Management and Service of Court-Related Documents - Disclosed is a system and method for managing, distributing, and serving court-related documents. The system is operated by a host and utilized by a number of different entities that are involved in effecting service of court-related documents such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, petitions and warrants. By way of the system, these court-related documents can be electronically distributed and ultimately served in an efficient manner. The system also permits the automated invoicing and billing for service related activities. The archiving of data related to effecting service can also be carried out by the present system. In still yet another embodiment, the system can automatically send emails including a status of service report, an affidavit of service and/or a proof of service as an attachment. | 04-19-2012 |
20120101924 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME PRICING WITH VOLUME DISCOUNTING - A system and method are provided for facilitating real-time pricing with volume discounting. The method includes receiving a request for a real-time price quote for a transaction from a first account. The request is received at a first instance in time during a billing cycle. The method also includes determining a first production service, where the first production service is a component of the transaction, and determining a count of first production service instances representing the first production service in the received transaction. The method further includes determining a billable entity for the transaction, where the billable entity includes one or more related accounts, and the related accounts includes the first account. | 04-26-2012 |
20120109796 | Taxi Service Control System - Apparatus for taxi service controlling, the apparatus comprising: a token data reader, installed in a vehicle of a fleet, configured to read token data from a machine readable medium provided by a passenger, and a vehicle data communicator, in communication with the token data reader, configured to communicate the read token data to a remote server of an operator of the fleet, and to receive billing data based at least on the token data, from the remote server. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109797 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RECONCILIATION OF A CHARGING EVENT - Methods and systems for reconciling a charging event are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method establishes an identity tag at a grid connection point that uniquely identifies the point and receives tag information to uniquely identify the point at a mobile charging device. The method monitors charge event information indicating attributes of the charging event, associates event information with the identity tag information, and sends the information for reconciliation of billing accounts associated with the point and the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method receives an energy storage device for powering a mobile asset, couples the storage device to an electric grid during a connection event, realizes energy services from the connected storage device to the grid, determines a quantity of energy services realized by the storage device during the connection event, and reports the quantity of energy services realized and a unique identifier of the energy storage device. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109798 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICES FOR FIXED AND MOBILE ASSETS - Methods and apparatus for managing energy services are disclosed. One method includes determining a quantity of the energy service realized during the connection event; identifying an account associated with the grid connection point; and adjusting the identified account based on the quantity determined. Another method includes receiving an indicator indicating an asset identifier or a grid connection point identifier; determining a location of the asset on the grid based on the indicator; determining operating conditions for realizing the energy service based on the determined location; sending the conditions; identifying an account associated with the point based on the indicator; and adjusting the account based on a quantity of energy services realized by the asset in accordance with the conditions. A computer readable medium includes instructions for determining a quantity of energy services realized during a connection event; identifying an account associated with a connection point; and adjusting the account. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109799 | Method and Apparatus for Supporting Delivery, Sale and Billing of Perishable and Time-Sensitive Goods Such as Newspapers, Periodicals and Direct Marketing and Promotional Materials - Systems and methods provide for tracking, controlling, optimizing, and otherwise managing the delivery of goods. One exemplary arrangement includes a web server, a database server, and handheld computers. A database including at least route delivery information may be created and at least portions of the database may be communicated to respective handheld devices for display. Time-sensitive goods such as newspapers or periodicals may be delivered based at least in part on the information displayed on the handheld devices, which are also used to collect information during said delivery. The collected information is communicated to the database for billing, reporting and analysis. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109800 | GROUP CHARGING METHOD, CHARGING PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A group charging method, a charging processing apparatus and a communication system are provided in the embodiments of the present invention, in which the group charging method includes: obtaining at least one of a group identifier and a field of a charging characteristic of a user equipment; generating a charging rule according to the obtained at least one of the group identifier and the field of the charging characteristic; and charging user equipments in a group according to the charging rules. The method, the apparatus and the communication system provided in the embodiments of the present invention are capable of improving charging efficiency of charging user equipments of a group and reduci | 05-03-2012 |
20120116934 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SHARE ACCESS TO PLACESHIFTING DEVICES - A server facilitates sharing of otherwise idle placeshifting devices over the Internet or another network. The server maintains a list of placeshifting devices that are available to share content via the network. When a selection of shared content is received from a client device, an available placeshifting device that has access to the requested content is identified. The client device and the identified placeshifting device establish a placeshifting connection over the network in which the client device controls the identified placeshifting device to obtain the selected content. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116935 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING COLOR USAGE LIMITS WITH TIERED BILLING AND AUTOMATICALLY OUTPUTTING DOCUMENTS ACCORDING TO SAME - Disclosed is a method and a system for automatically outputting documents based on at least a user's credentials. A highest billing tier for processing the image data from a plurality of billing tiers and which is based on credentials for the specified user is selected, and the image data is processed and output. Alternatively, if the highest billing tier selected is not authorized by a user's credentials, then a next highest billing tier is selected in accordance with the credentials, and the job is automatically processed and then output. The credentials may be based on an available amount of credit in a user's account (e.g., to print at billing cost) or a user's authorization (e.g., to print color documents), for example. The tiers may be based on one or more thresholds, such as a percentage of color content in a document. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116936 | INTEGRATED FACILITY MANAGMENT SYSTEM - A facility management system includes a work order system configured for receiving a request for service, retrieving, from a contract database, one or more pieces of key data extracted from a contract in response to the request, preparing a work order ordering corrective work based on the request and the retrieved pieces of key data, and outputting the work order to a vendor for completion of the corrective work. The system includes a billing system configured for receiving terms extracted from an invoice submitted by the vendor for performing the corrective work, the terms comprising an invoice price for performing the corrective work and determining whether to approve payment of the invoice. Determining includes comparing the invoice price for performing the corrective work to the contract price for performing the type of service and approving payment of the invoice when the invoice price matches the contract price. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116937 | Billing Usage in a Virtual Computing Infrastructure - Billing usage of a cloud computing environment is described. Usage is metered of one or more resources within the cloud computing environment by one or more users. The one or more users may be associated with at least one entity. The metered usage of one or more cloud resources is converted to a revenue-generating value. The revenue-generating value is billed to the at least one entity associated with the one or more users. Revenue is collected from the at least one entity for the metered usage of one or more cloud resources. The collected revenue is shared with a plurality of parties. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116938 | CHARGING FOR LONG DURATION SESSIONS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for long duration sessions. A charging data system of the communication network receives interim accounting request messages from a network element that is serving a session. The charging data system identifies interim timestamps for the interim accounting request messages, and stores the interim timestamps. After a time period during the long duration session, the charging data system generates a partial CDR. The charging data system then inserts duration information for the long duration session in the partial CDR based on the stored interim timestamps, and transmits the partial CDR to a correlation system. The correlation system may then calculate a total duration for the session based on the duration information in the partial CDR. Even if a start/stop timestamp is not available, the correlation system may estimate the total duration of the session based on the interim timestamps. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116939 | NON-RESIDENT METERING AND BILLING SYSTEM FOR APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES - A licensing envelope provides use of an application or device on a metered basis. The licensing envelope can be used with or without a connection to a computer network. In one embodiment, an application is provided with a dynamically linked library for the licensing envelope. The dynamically linked library verifies that access is enabled and calls a local licensing server when the application is opened. The local licensing server connects to and transfers data to a remote licensing server on a periodic basis. The remote licensing server can provide authorization codes for additional use of the application, bill the user, and forward payment to the application vendor. | 05-10-2012 |
20120123919 | Method And System For Billing In A Communication Network - A method and system for charging for services delivered by a communication network. After receiving a request for service in the network, usually initialed by a UE, an online charging system retrieves subscriber information, typically including subscriber account balance information, and compares the retrieved subscriber information with reverse rating policy rules to determine if reverse rating is to be performed prior to responding to the request for service. If so, the online charging system is directed to perform the reverse rating. If not, the service is provided without performing reverse rating. A dummy quota may be generated if reverse rating is not performed. In one embodiment, reverse rating may be performed after a service session was allowed to commence without reverse-rating if the session consumes an amount of service reaching a threshold determined after the operation of determining whether reverse rating is to be performed. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123920 | User Authentication System and Method Thereof - An authentication system for use in a secure communication system having a verification means ( | 05-17-2012 |
20120123921 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AND BROKERAGE OPERATIONS SUPPORT PROCESSING - Systems and methods are disclosed for a brokerage operations support system to facilitate international shipping of goods into a country. The system receives information pertaining to a shipment and rates the shipment for a specific country by applying rules defined for the country's customs regulations. Status information of the shipment is received by the system, including whether the shipment has cleared the importing country's customs process. If the shipment has not cleared, the handling systems ensure the shipment is withheld from delivery until clearance is obtained. A flexible system architecture comprising a server and both attended and unattended workstations for a core system that can be modified to allow rating and processing of shipments occur in various modes to accommodate the procedures for each importing country. | 05-17-2012 |
20120130873 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING MULTI-CLOUD INCREMENTAL BILLING CAPTURE AND ADMINISTRATION - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating multi-cloud incremental billing capture and administration. A set of aggregate usage history data can store patterns for a user in a set of host clouds recording consumption of processor, memory, storage, operating system, or other resources subscribed to by the across the host clouds. The user can be a corporation or other collective user. An entitlement engine can access a set of subscription parameters and analyze the set of aggregate usage history data based on deviation from consumption limits or other subscription parameters. When resource limits (e.g. operating system instances) are exceeded in a host cloud, the entitlement engine can determine which resource was exceeded, and in which host cloud it was exceeded. incremental billing for those events can be generated by the entitlement engine, and transmitted to the user via the host cloud and/or resource provider for presentation, collection, and reconciliation. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130874 | PROVIDING SECURITY IN A CLOUD STORAGE ENVIRONMENT - A method of providing security as a service in a cloud storage environment includes storing, through a cloud manager of the cloud storage environment, a security level of access of a storage controller associated with a customer of the security as a service, and receiving a request from the customer to access security information of the storage controller associated therewith. The method also includes providing, through the cloud manager, security information of the storage controller associated with the customer in accordance with the request and the stored security level of access of the storage controller associated with the customer. | 05-24-2012 |
20120136765 | Product Tracking and Alert System - Radio transponder encoded with serial number linked to a vehicle's VIN is installed in a vehicle prior to retail sale. When vehicle is brought in for service, the presence of vehicle at the service facility is detected, and checked against a database of recalls, recall repairs completed, state consumer protection Lemon Laws, and service history. This information is stored within a database that can be viewed via the Internet. Electronic alerts can be automatically generated indicating when vehicle is in service and which recall repairs are to be performed, and if Lemon Law limits being approached or exceeded. The system helps ensure that recall repairs are completed and the manufacturer can get involved before consumer remedies are triggered. The system allows lenders to conduct collateral floorchecks remotely and detect irregular business practices, and allows dealers to locate and manage inventory, conduct warranty repairs, and seek warranty reimbursements. | 05-31-2012 |
20120143735 | METHOD FOR PREPARING AN OPTIMAL ALTERNATIVE BILLING PLAN FOR MOBILE TELEPHONY USERS MANAGED THROUGH A CALL CENTER - The invention relates to a method for preparing an optimal alternative billing plan for mobile telephony users managed through a call center, which is applicable to the recommendation of an optimal telephony plan to the customers of an operator, considering the consumption of the customer, the risk of the customer migrating to another and the market strategy of the operator. It comprises the estimation of the real bill of a customer during a time period covering the last M months, a simulated estimation of the bill of the customer using any generic plan based on the mean traffic of the last M months, applying a simulation algorithm and the estimation of the churn risk of a customer according to the value of the said customer, the value of the operators on the market, number of better offers, number of the customers which he calls per operator and the simulations performed with the generic plans, applying an estimation algorithm. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143736 | COLOR DETECTION FOR TIERED BILLING IN COPY AND PRINT JOBS - Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for determining a billing structure for outputting documents. The method determines if pixels of image data of a document in device independent space are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (e.g., color), and, based on at least the determined neutral pixels in device independent space, determines a billable pixel count of color pixels in the image data. In one example, the determined billable pixel count of color pixels is based on at least both an estimated color count in device independent space and a determined pixel count in device dependent space. In another, pixels are tagged based on the neutral and/or non-neutral determination in device independent space, and, if the tag indicates that a selected pixel is color in device dependent space, the selected pixel is counted for the billable pixel count. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143737 | BILLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MICRO-TRANSACTIONS - Billing a customer through an intermediary billing system for a transaction by receiving, at the intermediary billing system, a transaction request associated with a transaction amount and a customer identification code, validating, in the intermediary billing system, the transaction request by determining whether the customer identification code corresponds to a customer that is registered with the intermediary billing system, and sending, in the case that the transaction request is valid, a billing event trigger associated with the customer identification code to an external billing mechanism, the billing event trigger representing the transaction amount. | 06-07-2012 |
20120150706 | SINGLE WINDOW BILLING SYSTEM - Embodiments of a computing based single window billing management system are disclosed. The billing management system is accessible to a first party providing service and a second party receiving service form the first party. In an embodiment, the system includes a security module configured to provide secure access to the first party and the second party upon authentication of respective identities. The system further includes a billing module configured to generate one or more bills in accordance with a template and send the one or more bills to a unique identification ID of the second party. In addition, the system include a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to present to the first party and/or to the second party, the one or more bills and associated options upon receiving an input from the first party and/or the second party. The system also includes a payment module configured to process payment requests from the second party, corresponding to the one or more bills associated with the second party. | 06-14-2012 |
20120150707 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES - A system for providing energy and/or water efficient building improvements to a building owned by a building owner is shown and described. The system includes a computer system configured to generate an invoice for the building owner based on estimated utilities that would have been consumed by the building had the building improvement measures not been installed. The computer system causes payment to an entity financing the building equipment using a portion of the difference between the invoiced estimated baseline utility consumption and the actual utility consumption costs. | 06-14-2012 |
20120158560 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LEASE PAYMENT CALCULATION - A method or system for executing a leasing plan on a piece of equipment using an actual days basis for a lease charge on a current adjusted capitalized cost on the piece of equipment. A periodic lease payment can be received by the lessor on a given date and the lease charge for the current adjusted capitalized cost (ACC) balance on an actual days basis for a number of days between the given date and a lease-start date or the given date and a date when a previous lease payment was received is calculated. Thereafter, a portion of the periodic lease payment is allocated to the lease charge that has been calculated on an actual days basis and a remainder of the periodic lease payment can be applied to the ACC balance. | 06-21-2012 |
20120158561 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS - A computer system and method evaluates reports financial data pertaining to real estate investments via an investor access portal. The investor access portal may be accessed over the Internet. Real estate investors, having a financial investment in each of a plurality of properties, may review accounts payable and accounts receivable data from each of the plurality of properties, managed by a plurality of property managers. Accounts receivable and accounts payable funds may be managed via the investor access portal, so that funds are centrally received and transmitted, and that data about said transmissions and receptions may be maintained and accessed by real estate investors via the investor access portal. The real estate investors may compare the data against other properties, including those managed by the same property manager, those managed by other property managers, or both, so as to reduce operating and utility costs for the properties. | 06-21-2012 |
20120166323 | Information Technology Resource Allocation and Utilization Tracking in a Cloud-Based System - An apparatus for allocating and tracking utilization of information technology resources of a distributed virtual infrastructure comprises at least one processing platform associated with the distributed virtual infrastructure. The processing platform comprises at least one processing device having a processor coupled to a memory. The processing platform is operative to allocate at least a designated one of the information technology resources to a user responsive to a corresponding request, to track utilization of the designated information technology resource allocated to the user, and to generate one or more notifications if the utilization of the designated information technology resource by the user falls below a specified threshold. The distributed virtual infrastructure may comprise an enterprise private cloud infrastructure. | 06-28-2012 |
20120173396 | BILL DIVISION AND GROUP PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for dividing a group bill among users, collecting funds from the users, and paying a third party with the collected funds using a group billing system. Users may have individual accounts associated with the group billing system. The individual accounts may be associated with a prepaid credit or debit card, or other payment vehicle. | 07-05-2012 |
20120179587 | PREMIUM ACCESS TO OPEN APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method and system for granting premium access to a service application stored within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open API platform is provided. The method includes receiving a request for premium access to the service application from a developer of a developer application wherein the developer application is configured to request data from the service application, assigning a production key to the developer application, sending an electronic message to a service owner (SO) associated with the service application requesting premium access to the service application, granting premium access to the service application by the SO for the developer application, updating the production key at the open API platform to include premium access to the service application, and notifying the developer of the granting of the premium access to the service application for the developer application. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179588 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUANTAL BILLING OF DIGITAL PRODUCTS - A method and apparatus for quantal billing of digital products are presented. An astonishing and subtle aspect of this invention is that it permits initially free distribution of digital products with no limitation of features, and in such a way to not rush a user into trying a product before some time limit, but rather rewards the user for quick and extensive evaluation, a behavior likely to lead to eventual sales. In one aspect, it breaks the heretofore insoluble paradox of making money from initially free goods by a counter-intuitive link between per-usage and per-time period payments, whereby the user is gently transitioned from a free trial to a source of recurring revenue. | 07-12-2012 |
20120185370 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING REQUEST ACCOUNTABILITY IN MULTIPLE CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK ENVIRONMENTS - In one embodiment, a first content delivery network (CDN) receives a request for content from a client device, such as a web browser. The first CDN responds to the client device with a uniform resource indicator (URI) that indicates that a second (or downstream) CDN is to service the request. The URI is encoded with information identifying that the first (or upstream) CDN delegated servicing the request to the second CDN. The client device then requests the content from the second CDN using the received URI. The second CDN services the request and logs the URI in a delivery record. The second CDN may then aggregate delivery records that indicate a particular upstream CDN was the source of delegation and forward those delivery records to the particular upstream CDN for reimbursement for servicing content requests. | 07-19-2012 |
20120191582 | Lead Generation For Content Distribution Service - A content distribution service may provide lead information to content providers or other entities associated with a broadcast. The service may include both registered and unregistered (e.g., anonymous) users or subscribers that may each provide data associated with one or more subscriber attributes. Subscriber attribute information may be collected from a subscriber in a progressive manner such that sequentially small portions of data are collected over a period of time. The content distribution service may generate leads by collecting and determining subscriber attributes for each subscriber or anonymous user associated with the service. The leads may be generated in response to a request by a content provider or other requestor, or in response to an event such as the creation of a new broadcast. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197772 | Methods and Systems for Providing a Customized Network - A method, system, and computer-readable medium for providing a secure computer network for the real time transfer of data are provided. The data is grouped and stored as per user preferences. The data being transmitted is encrypted, decrypted, and validated by the system (assuming user identifications/passwords are verified). | 08-02-2012 |
20120203678 | COMPUTER-ENABLED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS FOR SALE OF VETERINARY PRODUCTS - A computer-enabled method and system for dynamic, automated pricing of veterinary pharmaceutical and other animal-related product items by a central product provider, wherein the method allows subsequent recovery of historical pricing information by the central product provider computer for subsequent sale proceeds sharing with a veterinary hospital, comprising the steps of: asynchronously creating and storing member account details, asynchronously retrieving from vendors and storing pricing and other information for a plurality of product item records, asynchronously maintaining and storing a plurality of per-product-item fee records and proceed split percentage information, providing to veterinary hospitals responsive item product information for one or more items selected and creating and temporarily storing a snapshot for subsequent optional recall of product item record pricing, per-item and per-invoice fee information, and making selected item product information available for display. Upon selection of a product item for purchase by a veterinary hospital or customer, a unique invoice record is created which comprises the temporarily stored per-item and per-invoice fee information corresponding to the product item, hospital and/or customer making the selection. Finally, the hospital and/or customer related per-item and per-invoice fee and price information is used, together with hospital and central product provider percentage split information, for automated determination, allocation, crediting and distribution of proceeds to the veterinary hospital based upon saved historic, granular pricing and fee data. | 08-09-2012 |
20120209755 | LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLACING ENERGY CONSUMPTION USING NATURAL LIGHTING FIXTURES - A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party. | 08-16-2012 |
20120221448 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND ADDRESSING INVOICING ANOMALIES - Methods, systems and computer-readable medium for enabling an information technology system to detect pricing anomalies and present detected anomalous pricing to a human operator. A price value digitally stored in an electronic memory associated with a part number and included in an invoice process is compared with one or more price ranges. When the price value fall outside of at least one price range, the price value is provided to a human administrator for deletion, approval or modification, prior to the issuance of an invoice and wherein the human administrator may direct the computer, or a networked computer, to halt generating or transmitting the invoice or to generate a modified invoice. A modified invoice may be issued with one or more line items deleted and or modified as directed by the human administrator. The computer may additionally be configured to detect associations of part numbers with defined kits. | 08-30-2012 |
20120221449 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTATION CREATION - A system and method are provided for a network-based content management system (CMS) for creating and sharing presentation objects, and for generating revenue based on providing access to tools by which the presentation objects are created, stored and managed. In the system, a content management service includes a database that stores a presentation object, and a Web server stores a Web page including a link to the presentation object. When the Web page is displayed on a computing device that accesses the Web page via the Web, the presentation object appears as an embedded presentation. | 08-30-2012 |
20120221450 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SERVICE MESSAGE - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for generating a service message, including: receiving a service message sent by a service provider SP device and content sent by a content provider CP device; generating a service message including corresponding content, according to a preset corresponding relation between the service and the content, or according to a preset corresponding relation between the SP and the CP, or according to both the corresponding relation between the service and the content and the corresponding relation between the SP and the CP; and sending the service message including the corresponding content to a user. Through the method according to the present invention, the generation efficiency and configuration flexibility of the service message may be improved. | 08-30-2012 |
20120226592 | Approach For Producing And Managing Electricity - An approach for producing and managing electricity includes producing electricity off premise while providing offsetting of power consumed on premise. As used herein, the term “off premise” refers to a location other than the location where electricity is being consumed and the term “on premise” refers to the location where the electricity is being consumed. The approach is applicable to any method or technology for generating electricity. Participants or customers have an ownership interest in the power generating facility. The offsetting of power may be accomplished using a wide variety of techniques, for example, energy production data may be reported to the premise where electricity is consumed and/or to an electric utility company to allow for customer billing credits, adjustments and/or direct or in-direct utility meter off-sets (net metering). Thus, each participant produces the power they consume with electricity production equipment in which they have an ownership interest. | 09-06-2012 |
20120233045 | LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLACING ENERGY CONSUMPTION - A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes energy efficient lighting technology for replacing old lighting technology in a building. A computer system is configured to generate a utility invoice for sending to a utility consumer associated with the building. The utility invoice includes a payment amount for a power reduction over time at the new utility rate. The power reduction over time is provided by use of the energy efficient lighting technology. | 09-13-2012 |
20120239539 | FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - Sub-metering of fluid use is performed using a single acoustic transducer positioned at a common supply point. A computer attached to the transducer determines when each consumption point is active and measures the respective amount of fluid drawn by each. Acoustic signatures of each consumption point differ depending on the length of piping runs, location of elbows, tees, and other structures which cause acoustic energy as the fluid flows through. The acoustic signatures are recorded by the computer and are used to simultaneously differentiate fluid use at each consumption point. | 09-20-2012 |
20120246040 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A BILL - A system includes a meter for monitoring energy consumed by an energy consumer and a first computer coupled to the meter. The first computer receives a plurality of measurements representative of energy consumed during a billing period. The system also includes a second computer that generates a signal representative of a critical peak pricing rate for energy consumed during a critical peak pricing event, and a third computer coupled to the first computer and to the second computer. The third computer calculates a first consumption amount representative of energy consumed during the critical peak pricing event, calculates a second consumption amount representative of energy consumed other than during the critical peak pricing event, and generates a bill including a variable pricing rate for the second consumption amount and the critical peak pricing rate for the first consumption amount. | 09-27-2012 |
20120246041 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A BILL - A system includes a first computer configured to transmit a load control request to a device associated with an energy consumer. The system also includes a second computer configured to receive a notification representative of an override of the load control request, and determine a penalty to be imposed upon the customer based on the notification received. | 09-27-2012 |
20120246042 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A UTILITY BILL - A system includes a meter for monitoring energy consumed by an energy consumer and a first computer coupled to the meter. The first computer receives from the meter a plurality of measurements representative of energy consumed during a billing period. The system also includes a second computer that generates a signal representative of a critical peak pricing rate for energy consumed during a critical peak pricing event, and a third computer coupled to the first computer and to the second computer. The third computer calculates a first consumption amount representative of energy consumed during the critical peak pricing event, calculates a second consumption amount representative of energy consumed other than during the critical peak pricing event, and generates a bill including a flat pricing rate for the second consumption amount and the critical peak pricing rate for the first consumption amount. | 09-27-2012 |
20120246043 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETRIEVING AND MODIFYING DATA RECORDS FOR RATING AND BILLING PURPOSES - An operational support system includes a data collection unit and a number of network devices that are associated with various telecommunications services. The data collection unit retrieves raw data records from the network elements and identifies information in the raw data records that is relevant for billing purposes. The data collection unit normalizes the raw data records to create a billable record. The billable record may then be passed to a rating or billing unit that determines the charges associated with a customer's use of the telecommunications services. | 09-27-2012 |
20120254000 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED BILLING AND ORDERING - A price-generation system exemplary of the present invention reduces reliance on synchronization of rating and billing information, simplifies and speeds up commercial implementation of such systems, and reduces computational costs associated with real-time cost calculations by pre-computing rating data that can be automatically applied to subscriber usage. In one embodiment, a price-generation system comprises an analysis component configured to automatically generate at least one rate cube, wherein the at least one rate cube is configured to store rate plan information, an order entry component configured to pre-compute recurring charge information associated with at least one service based on at least a first set of rules, and a billing component configured to calculate total charges based on at least the pre-computed recurring charge information and usage charge information, wherein the usage charge information is calculated using the at least one rate cube. | 10-04-2012 |
20120259748 | MOBILE EXPENSE CAPTURE AND REPORTING - A mobile computing device based expense capture and reporting system is provided. A mobile expense capture application is an integral part of a networked expense management service such as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) service. A user interface enables users to enter expense related information and accept/reject/edit prompted values for various entries. Upon completion of the entries, the information is transmitted to the networked service and/or stored locally. At least a portion of the information is automatically provided based on a location and/or action of the user. Furthermore, the mobile computing device is capable of capturing an expense document and retrieving at least some of the expense information from the captured document. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259749 | DEMAND RESPONSE SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A SMART PORTAL - The demand response system comprises an automatic meter reading (AMR) unit to generate metering information. The demand response system comprises a multiple utility complex unit (MUC) which provides DR information based on the metering information and manages utility supply schedule in combination. The demand response system comprises an eco index (EI) calculation unit which calculates an eco index based on the metering information. The demand response system comprises a demand response (DR) unit which obtains the CBL information based on the metering information and computes a the DR bill by using the CBL data, the DR information and EI obtained, and outputs the DR bill. The demand response system comprises a smart portal (SP) unit which provides users with the calculated DR bill. According to the disclosure, the demand response system can provide environmental and social information, in addition to economic information. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259750 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Processing Communications - Methods, systems, and products select an account number of payment of a communication. When multiple account numbers are associated with a customer, the customer is prompted to select the account number that is billed for the communication. | 10-11-2012 |
20120265658 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED GENERATION OF BILLS - The present invention provides methods and systems for processing bills electronically. Generally, a bill is created for a customer using billing information and master data from a biller and master data from a customer. Billing information is received from the biller by a first processing module having access to the master data of the biller. The first processing module generates a bill using the billing information and the master data of the biller. A second processing module having access to the master data of the customer provides customer data to the first processing module. The bill is transformed into a format specified in the master data of the customer by the first processing module if the format of the generated bill is not the format specified in the master data of the customer. The generated or transformed bill is transferred to the second processing module by the first processing module. | 10-18-2012 |
20120278214 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIRD PARTY CHARGING AUTHORIZATION FOR MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS - Methods and arrangements for handling web-based purchase requests. A customer request for content of a third party content provider is received at a charging service provider. An authorization code on behalf of the content provider is generated and returned to the customer via a channel other than a channel which links the customer with the third party content provider. The authorization code is accepted from the third party content provider as received by the third party content provider from the customer, the authorization code is verified, and charging for the requested content is executed. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278215 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHARGING BATTERY - A method and device of charging a battery is provided. A charging device transmits a charging initiation request including a charging identifier for identifying a user to an electric meter and receives a charging initiation response from the electricity meter. The charging device performs charging by connecting the charging station with the battery after receiving the charging initiation response. The charging device receives charging information indicating billing information according to the charging of the battery from the electricity meter. | 11-01-2012 |
20120284154 | Articles Of Manufacture, Education Billing Management Methods, Education Billing Management Systems, Education Enrollment Systems, And Education Enrollment Methods - Articles of manufacture, education billing management methods, education billing management systems, education enrollment systems, and education enrollment methods are described. According to one aspect, an article of manufacture includes media comprising programming which causes processing circuitry to perform processing comprising accessing expense information regarding education expenses owed to a plurality of learning providers as a result of the learning providers providing education services to a plurality of employees of a plurality of employers, for each of the employers, using the expense information, generating billing information regarding the education expenses incurred by the employees of the respective employer, communicating respective billing information to respective ones of the employers, wherein the billing information communicated to one of the employers includes the education expenses owed to at least one of the learning providers as a result of the at least one learning provider providing education services to one or more employees of the one of the employers, and determining disbursement amounts to be paid to respective ones of the learning providers, wherein one of the disbursement amounts to be paid to one of the learning providers corresponds to the education services provided by the one of the learning providers to at least one of the employees. | 11-08-2012 |
20120290455 | System and Method for Providing Computer Services - A computer system and method for providing computer services to a user which comprises a plurality virtual computers with each virtual computer associated with a virtual operating system; a virtualization layer for establishing a communication between each virtual computer and a corresponding host computer; a virtual computer selector for allowing the user to establish on an unscheduled basis a network communication between a terminal device and a user virtual computer; and a storage system for making a virtual application program substantially instantaneously available to the user virtual computer and to the user operating the terminal device, whereby the user able to begin interacting with the at least one virtual application program. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290456 | CUSTOMIZED CONTENT DELIVERY - Systems and methods are provided for delivering content to a consumer and tracking the content consumed. For example, electronic content may be provided to a playback device of a consumer. An indication of the amount of content actually consumed by the consumer may be received, where the amount is determined by tracking the content consumed. A cost of content may be calculated based on the indication of the amount of content consumed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296784 | CONTROLLING QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED TO OVER THE TOP APPLICATIONS IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for controlling Quality of Service (QoS) provided through a network for communications between an Over The Top (OTT) application on an OTT application server and a User Equipment node (UE). The method includes receiving a registration request from the OTT application requesting provisioning of QoS through the network for the OTT application. An Application Programming Interface (API) of a service delivery platform (SDP) is configured to have dependent rules that provision a QoS level for the OTT application responsive to the registration request. QoS for a communication session between the UE and the OTT application through the network is controlled responsive to the QoS level provisioned for the OTT application. Related communication systems, OTT application servers, and SDPs are disclosed. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296785 | VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT METER - A meter for recording or determining the electrical energy withdrawn from an electrical supply network or supplied to it is provided. The meter including a component for measuring the current supply voltage, and a component for determining the operating mode based on the currently withdrawn or supplied electrical energy, wherein the operating mode can be changed, depending on the measured supply voltage, in such a way that a relatively high supply voltage causes a slower metering process than a comparatively low supply voltage. | 11-22-2012 |
20120303496 | Provisioning by Delivered Items - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for device provisioning. According to one example embodiment of the invention, a method can be provided. The method can include identifying, from a computer-readable memory, provisioning information associated with a device; attaching the provisioning information to an item; and preparing the item to be sent to a location of the associated device, wherein the device is provisioned based at least in part on the item. In certain embodiments, one or more operations can be performed by one or more computers associated with a service provider. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303497 | LEGAL COST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A legal cost management system provides modules for outlining the process of a legal function, establishing pricing variables to each step of the legal function, all at the outset of the legal task. A budget is then generated and the legal task is managed by outside counsel based upon the agreed upon budget and process. When exceptions occur during the course of working on the legal function, outside counsel electronically submits requests for new work to corporate counsel, which in turn can be approved or denied. Point and click billing allows immediate invoicing which requires no review by corporate counsel as the work performed has already been approved. Statistical reporting provides corporate counsel with real time analysis of all the cases that are in the system. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303498 | ASSET MONITORING AND TRACKING SYSTEM - Techniques for monitoring and tracking assets and providing notifications to users are disclosed. In one aspect, a request to track an asset and enterprise data describing the asset are received, a tag is selected to associate with the asset, an event notification is received from the tag, and a user notification is generated from the event notification and the enterprise data. In another aspect, a request for a tag is received, a tag is selected in response to the request, a tag is routed to the origin location for the tag, a notification is received that the tag has arrived at a destination location, and the tag is routed from the destination location to a tag pool. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303499 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH SPECIFIED BILLING FEATURES - Systems and methods for managing payments. An invoice is generated based on a first invoice detail from a first participant and the generated invoice is displayed to a second participant. The system receives a modification of the first invoice detail from the second participant along with a comment associated with the modification. The first invoice detail, the modification, and the comment are stored to the computer readable memory and a payment between the participants is facilitated based at least in part on the modification. | 11-29-2012 |
20120310800 | Smart-Grid Having PLC Networked Sensors - A smart-grid residential service (SRS) uses connected sensors for integrated service monitoring and control of home appliances via the Internet and an in-home PLC network. Such sensors collect power usage information and include an intelligent master device and any of a communication enabled switch, a ZigBee® enabled switch, and a power control switch, each of which operate over a power line communication (PLC) network. The master collects, compiles, and communicates collected data to the network. The SRS provides infrastructure, i.e. communication, IP-TV, climatic control, etc. monitoring and control, power monitoring and control of connection enabled home appliances, other utility usage monitoring, and security monitoring and control. The SRS also provides billing and collection information for the monitored utilities to utility companies. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310801 | POWER USAGE CALCULATION SYSTEM - According to an embodiment, in a power usage calculation system, a data management system connected to electric power meters adding up power usage of electric apparatuses and an energy management system are interconnected through a network. Plural pieces of the first partial information are calculated by using the power usage added up by the electric power meters. The plural pieces of the first partial information are stored in storage servers. Each storage server calculates second partial information by using a plurality of pieces of the first partial information of the power usage added up by the electric power meters and transmits the calculated second partial information to the energy management system. The energy management system receives the second partial information respectively transmitted from the storage servers and calculates a total amount of the power usage added up by the electric power meters by using the received second partial information. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310802 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH SPECIFIED BILLING FEATURES - Systems and methods for managing payments in a hierarchical construction project. The system selectively operates in a specified billing mode for a first invoice and for a second invoice that is related to the first invoice. The system receives invoice details from a participant associated with the payee of the invoice when not operating in the specified billing mode and receives the invoice details from a participant not associated with the payee when operating in the specified billing mode. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310803 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING INFORMATION DURING CONTENT BREAKPOINTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing information during content breakpoints in a virtual universe. The system comprises a placement engine configured to detect a content breakpoint within a virtual universe, which is defined as at least one of a login process, a logoff process, a teleportation, a wait state, and during any point where a user changes information streams in the virtual universe. The system also comprises an insertion resolution engine configured to create a list of prioritized information to present to a user within the virtual universe and an information definition engine configured to present the prioritized information to the user of the virtual universe during the content breakpoint. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310804 | Adaptive Ambient Services - Adaptive ambient services are provided. In some embodiments, an adaptive ambient service includes providing an ambient service profile. In some embodiments, an ambient service includes implementing an ambient service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of an ambient service on a wireless network, in which the ambient service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings, and in which the ambient service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the ambient service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; monitoring use of the ambient service based on the ambient service profile; and adapting the ambient service profile based on the monitored use of the ambient service. | 12-06-2012 |
20120317004 | UTILITY BILL AUDIT - A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for a utility bill audit. Measured data is input from meters. Utility provider information is input. The utility provider information includes utility provider sub-costs and utility provider variables. System data is generated based on the measured data. The system data includes system sub-costs and system variables. If a utility provider sub-cost differs from a corresponding system sub-cost by more than a selected sub-cost error threshold, whether a utility provider variable differs from a corresponding system variable by more than a selected variable error threshold is determined. A user interface outputs a notice regarding whether utility provider information differs from corresponding system data. | 12-13-2012 |
20120317005 | System and Method for Prepay Account Management System - A prepay account management system having a prepay customer database operable to store a prepay customer account balance and an estimated usage data of a prepay customer. The system has a data link operable to transmit the prepay customer account balance and an actual usage data of the prepay customer between the prepay account management system and the billing system. Additionally, the system has a prepay server operable to receive the transmitted prepay customer account balance and the actual usage data, the prepay server operable to receive replenishing payment amounts. The prepay server also operable to update a current balance of the prepay customer account in response to the estimated usage data and the replenishing payment amounts and to reconcile a balance of the prepay customer account with the actual usage data of the prepay customer by comparing the estimated usage data with the actual usage data. | 12-13-2012 |
20120317006 | LEGAL BILLING ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of creating a finalized invoice by creating a preliminary invoice showing activities accomplished, submitting the preliminary invoice to an automated rules engine, searching the preliminary invoice for keywords that define possible violations of a company's litigation billing guidelines, highlighting any invoice task that contains identified keywords that would define a possible violation of a company's litigation billing guidelines, querying a user to accept changes based upon identified keywords, and modifying the preliminary invoice into the finalized invoice after accepting the changes. Using the searchable database to create reports that provide average rates charged by law firms on specific types of legal matters in all geographic areas, reports to evaluate which tasks are not being fully compensated by a specific company or legal auditing system, reports to evaluate the average cost to defend specific types of cases in specific jurisdictions. | 12-13-2012 |
20120317007 | BILLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, BILLING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, BILLING INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A management system is implemented by one or more information processing apparatuses connected via a network to one or more execution apparatuses that execute processes constituting a process flow. The management system includes a first registration unit that registers, in a storage unit, an information structure that is generated when the process flow is executed and that is used to store at least one of billing information and an execution result of each of the processes in the process flow. The system also includes a receiving unit that receives at least one of the billing information and the execution result from each of the execution apparatuses. Further, the system includes a second registration unit that registers at least one of the billing information and the execution result received by the receiving unit in the information structure. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323750 | DATA CUSTODIAN AND CURATION SYSTEM - A data custodian and curation system may store data from a data supplier in encrypted form and may allow users to consume the data when the consumers obtain access to the data through an agreement. The curation system may manage access to the data, even allowing a consumer to use the data as if it were their own, but may track each usage of the data to implement a payment scheme or various usage restrictions. The curation system may encrypt downstream uses of the data and operate as a digital rights management system for the data. The custodian and curation system may operate as a cloud service that may contain encrypted data from many data providers but where the data providers may individually control access to their data in a managed system at any granular level. | 12-20-2012 |
20120330802 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MEMORY USAGE ACCOUNTING - An apparatus for providing memory energy accounting within a data processing system having multiple chiplets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a system memory, a memory access collection module, a memory throttle counter, and a memory credit accounting module. The memory access collection module receives a first set of signals from a first cache memory within a chiplet and a second set of signals from a second cache memory within the chiplet. The memory credit accounting module tracks the usage of the system memory on a per user basis according to the results of cache accesses extracted from the first and second set of signals from the first and second cache memories within the chiplet. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330803 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MEMORY USAGE THROTTLING - An apparatus for providing system memory usage throttling within a data processing system having multiple chiplets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a system memory, a memory access collection module, a memory credit accounting module and a memory throttle counter. The memory access collection module receives a first set of signals from a first cache memory within a chiplet and a second set of signals from a second cache memory within the chiplet. The memory credit accounting module tracks the usage of the system memory on a per user virtual partition basis according to the results of cache accesses extracted from the first and second set of signals from the first and second cache memories within the chiplet. The memory throttle counter for provides a throttle control signal to prevent any access to the system memory when the system memory usage has exceeded a predetermined value. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330804 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BILLING UTILIZING ACCOUNT STATUS - A system and method for differentiating billing utilizing account status. A determination is made of an account status of a user associated with one or more communications being communicated through a network. A determination is made of a rate associated with the account status. The user is billed utilizing the account status associated with the user. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330805 | Electronic Invoice and Payment System with Graphic Invoice Approval and Payment Status Reporting. - A system includes an invoice application which, in response to a report request comprising access credentials of a connecting vendor, obtains a list of the vendor's open invoices from a database and generates a report document. The report document comprises a group of horizontal rows, each row representing a unique one of the vendor's invoices. Each row comprises an invoice identifier and a multi-segment status control. The status control comprises a group of segments within the horizontal row, with each segment representing a unique one of the steps the buyer performs to approve and pay the invoice. Each segment is a first color if the segment represents a processing step that the buyer has not yet performed and a second color if the segment represents a processing step that the buyer has completed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130006821 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPORTING ITEMS - Various embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems, methods and computer program products for managing the delivery of items across international borders. Systems and methods for facilitating an international cross-border shipment from an exporting entity to an import entity are provided. The method may include the steps of: receiving, via an import computer system, shipping data comprising a pickup location and a delivery location corresponding to an item to be delivered from an export entity to an import entity; providing an interactive display offering a plurality of label delivery options to an import entity; receiving a selection from the import entity of a select label delivery option; generating a commercial invoice using at least in part the received shipping data; and providing a label and the commercial invoice according to the selected label delivery option | 01-03-2013 |
20130013472 | Processing Payment Transactions Between Enterprise Resource Planning Systems - In some embodiments, a method for processing a payment transaction comprises receiving, by a payor an invoice generated from a first enterprise resource planning (ERP) system operated by a payee. The first ERP system formatted the invoice in a first format. The invoice is stored in a second format compatible with a second ERP system. The invoice has been converted from the first format to the second format, which is different from the first format. Approval of the invoice is received through the second ERP system. Authorization instructing a financial institution to transmit a payment to the payee is generated and transmitted to the financial institution. Confirmation of the payment to the payee is generated and transmitted to the payee. | 01-10-2013 |
20130013473 | APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR METERING AND ACCOUNTING FOR SERVICES ACCESSED OVER A NETWORK - Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period. | 01-10-2013 |
20130018764 | Methodology For Charging Of Discrete Resource Reservation Based ServicesAANM Deng; YuAACI Yorktown HeightsAAST NYAACO USAAGP Deng; Yu Yorktown Heights NY USAANM Nguyen; Thao N.AACI KatonahAAST NYAACO USAAGP Nguyen; Thao N. Katonah NY USAANM Perng; Chang-ShingAACI Bedford HillsAAST NYAACO USAAGP Perng; Chang-Shing Bedford Hills NY USAANM Rendahl; Randy A.AACI RaleighAAST NCAACO USAAGP Rendahl; Randy A. Raleigh NC USAANM Sailer; AncaAACI ScarsdaleAAST NYAACO USAAGP Sailer; Anca Scarsdale NY USAANM Swirszcz; Grzegorz M.AACI OssiningAAST NYAACO USAAGP Swirszcz; Grzegorz M. Ossining NY US - Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. These perform the following: accessing records of previous usage within a billing period of service units for customers, wherein the service units are discrete sizes of services for resource types, wherein each usage of an individual one of the service units has start and stop events, and wherein each resource type has a price fixed as of a date of the previous usage; dividing the billing period into time periods determined using the start and stop events for the usage of all of the service units; using the accessed records and the time periods and based on one or more criteria, assigning resource types to the previous usage in the time periods of the service units by the customers; and determining total charge for a selected customer based on the assignments of the resource types and corresponding prices for the selected customer. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018765 | SECURING APPLICATIONS ON PUBLIC FACING SYSTEMSAANM FORK; MICHAEL J.AACI GIBSONBURGAAST OHAACO USAAGP FORK; MICHAEL J. GIBSONBURG OH USAANM GLOE; CHRISTOPHER T.AACI ROCHESTERAAST MNAACO USAAGP GLOE; CHRISTOPHER T. ROCHESTER MN USAANM PATERSON; KEVIN G.AACI SAN ANTONIOAAST TXAACO USAAGP PATERSON; KEVIN G. SAN ANTONIO TX US - Techniques are disclosed for configuring a virtual machine instance accessed over a publically routable network address to host intranet applications. A virtual (or “dummy”) interface on the virtual machine instance is assigned an IP address that is inaccessible from the public interface. An application executed on the virtual machine instance is bound to a port on the network address assigned to this dummy interface. A virtual private network server assigns client's IP addresses that can be routed to the dummy interface. When a client computing system connects to the VPN server over the virtual machine instance's public interface, the client forwards traffic destined for the dummy interface's inaccessible network over the VPN connection. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018766 | MINIMALIST APPROACH TO ROADWAY ELECTRIFICATION - Method of commerce and system components that enable the sale of electricity on-request to independent vehicle operators for propulsion. Electricity could be delivered by conventional roadway overhead electric line components (see FIG. | 01-17-2013 |
20130024335 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING TRASH CONTAINING NON-RECYCLABLE SUBSTANCES - Systems and methods are provided for handling trash containing non-recyclable substances. According to one embodiment, a system is provided for handling trash containing non-recyclable substances, poisonous substances, and human remains, for billing trash owners for billable trash items, and for crediting the trash owners for trash containing recyclable substances. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024336 | Systems and Methods for Providing Controls for Aggregated Weather-Based Work - Systems, methods, non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer program instructions for causing a computer device to implement methods, and the like utilize weather information from one or a variety of locations to estimate costs for providing weather-dependent work, and to provide financial controls for weather-dependent work allegedly performed. One method includes utilizing historical weather information relating to performance of weather-dependent work at a work location to generate an estimate of an anticipated frequency with which weather-dependent work will be necessary, utilizing information to estimate an anticipated cost per incident for performing weather-dependent work at the selected work location, and using such information at a plurality of locations to generate an aggregate bid for performing weather-dependent work at the locations. Weather information is also used to audit weather-dependent work allegedly performed at the work locations to provide financial controls to the aggregated weather-dependent work in compliance with law and regulation. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024337 | System and Method of Offsetting Invoice Obligations - Methods for resolving invoice obligations are disclosed that include: a) providing at least one sales invoice, wherein each sales invoice comprises a credit value, b) providing at least one purchase invoice, wherein each purchase invoice comprises a debit value, and c) offsetting at least part of the debit value of a purchase invoice with at least part of the credit value of a sales invoice. Systems and software for resolving invoice obligations are also disclosed. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030967 | MANAGING CONSISTENT INTERFACES FOR FOREIGN TRADE PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION, SUPPLIER INVOICE BUSINESS OBJECTS ACROSS HETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS - A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a foreign trade product classification business object and a supplier invoice business object. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030968 | BILLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND BILLING MANAGEMENT METHOD - A billing management system includes an image forming device that forms an image, a reading device that reads identification information from an information recording medium that stores the identification information identifying a user of the image forming device, a billing condition management device that manages, in an associated state, the identification information and a billing condition, and a billing information transmitting unit that references the identification information and the billing condition, managed by the billing condition management device, and transmits billing information in accordance with the billing condition corresponding to the identification information read by the reading device. | 01-31-2013 |
20130041795 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYMENT STRUCTURES IN THE PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMABLES, INCLUDING HEATING OIL OR PROPANE - A new ecosystem may comprise a central system operable to monitor the consumption of a commodity at the premises of a consumer, interface with suppliers and retailers of the commodity and perhaps tank monitors, process data collected therefrom, and implement a payment structure that can alleviate the burden of consumers having to pay for an entire delivery of the commodity—the consumer is only responsible for paying for the amount actually consumed during a time period at a prevailing price during that time. The payment structure can also significantly reduce a retailer's working capital required to float the purchase of the commodity before it is paid by its consumers. The central system may provide a web based user interface through which a consumer can lock in a price to pay for the commodity. Alternatively, the price may be fixed when the commodity was delivered to the consumer's tank. | 02-14-2013 |
20130046663 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ACTIVE/REACTIVE POWERS - A device and method for measuring active and reactive powers of an alternating current includes receiving a first signal representing a current and a second signal representing a voltage, in which the current includes a phase offset with respect to the voltage, calculating an active power and reactive power based on the first and second signals, and calibrating the calculated active and reactive powers with respect to the phase offset using first and second constants, in which the first and second constants respectively correspond to a sine value and a cosine value of the phase offset. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046664 | End-to-End Content Delivery Network Incorporating Independently Operated Transparent Caches and Proxy Caches - Some embodiments provide an end-to-end federated CDN solution that assimilates a transparent caching server that is operated by a transparent caching server operator into a CDN that independently operates CDN caching servers. Specifically, the logs from the transparent caching server are assimilated into the CDN by aggregating the logs from the transparent caching server and processing the transparent caching server logs to identify network usage for content of a CDN content provider customer that is delivered by the transparent caching server. The network usage is then combined with the network usage that tracked by the CDN caching servers in order to provide comprehensive report metrics for the content provider customer and to bill the content provider customer for all network usage related to delivering the content provider customer's content irrespective of whether the content was delivered by a transparent caching server or a CDN caching server. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046665 | FEEDBACK LOOP FOR DYNAMIC NETWORK RESOURCE ALLOCATION - A system, apparatus and method for dynamic resource allocation is provided, where a network resource shared by a plurality of electronic devices having unique service profiles and unique billing profiles is monitored. Allocation of the shared network resource as well as the service profiles and billing profiles are dynamically modified. | 02-21-2013 |
20130054433 | Multi-Factor Identity Fingerprinting with User Behavior - Multi-factor identity fingerprinting with user behavior is disclosed. A user's interactions with one or more parties are tracked and stored in a data store. A party may be a company itself or a company's information system. The user interactions are aggregated in a user profile bound to a particular user. All of the profile, or some subset of the profile may be used to generate an identity fingerprint. The identity fingerprint may be used as authentication credentials, where the similarity of user activity indicia is measured against all or part of the identity fingerprint. Alternatively, the aggregation systems may identify groups or categories of users by behavior by identifying similar identity fingerprints. Similarity may be measured via correlation models. Finally, the data store of profiles may be used for non-authentication systems such as business intelligence, advertising, identity management, and threat monitoring. | 02-28-2013 |
20130060667 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT MODELING LANGUAGE - A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for an energy management modeling language. Selections of a location, a time, a first variable identifier, a second variable identifier, a third variable identifier, and text that specifies a transform based on an energy management modeling language primitive are received via a user interface. The first variable identifier, the second variable identifier, and the third variable identifier are reformatted based on the location and the time. The transform is executed based on the reformatted first variable and the reformatted second variable to create a result. The result is output based on the reformatted third variable. | 03-07-2013 |
20130066756 | METHOD FOR IMAGE CLASSIFICATION FOR COPY PATH BILLING - Disclosed is a processor-implemented method for processing image data representing a document using an image processing apparatus. The processor receives image data, determines the classifications and counts of pixels in the image data (e.g., in device independent space that are degrees of neutral or non-neutral), classifies the image data into a category based on the determination of classifications and counts of pixels, and determines a billing structure for the image data based on the classification of image data. The classification can be performed on the image data prior to conversion into device dependent space. For example, by counting true color, neutral, non-neutral, and fuzzy color pixels and comparing them to thresholds, the image data can be classified as neutral or very colorful. By classifying images earlier in the image path, errors in billing are reduced. | 03-14-2013 |
20130073441 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSACTION RECORD DELIVERY USING THRESHOLDS AND MULTI-STAGE PROTOCOL - The present invention provides systems and methods for conducting electronic transactions in a distributed computing environment. A communications protocol is provided that enables reliable transactional state synchronization for peers participating in a distributed transaction. A transaction processing application is deployed on a local computer system to manage transactions thereon. The local computer system contacts a remote computer system to obtain authorization to execute a transaction. The local computer system initiates a failure-recovery job that is operable to automatically resend status signals and other information to the remote system if the communication with the remote system exhibits certain predefined fault conditions. The remote system is able to dynamically adjust the definition of the predefined fault conditions. If the transaction concludes without triggering the predefined fault conditions, the failure-recovery job is cancelled. The transaction processing application may also allow deferred transactions between remote parties. The transaction processing application maintains a record of the transactions performed by the consumer on the consumer's local system. Upon the occurrence of predefined conditions, transactional records are sent to a remote vendor or clearinghouse. The vendor or clearinghouse can manage the risk it bears by setting the predefined conditions appropriately. | 03-21-2013 |
20130085914 | AUTHENTICATED NAME RESOLUTION - A method, system, and computer-readable memory containing instructions include receiving a DNS request containing authentication information, validating the authentication information, determining an appropriate action to take based on the validating status, and taking the appropriate action. Actions may include responding with an individualized network layer address or service location address, delaying sending a response message, sending a network layer address or service location address corresponding to a site containing authentication information, and sending a response with a network layer address or service location address with a web address configured to mimic the website related to the requested resource. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085915 | BROADBAND INTELLIGENT EVENT REPOSITORY - Example methods disclosed herein to manage and process data associated with network usage include creating first links to represent relationships between event data items and rated data items, and creating second links to represent relationships between the rated data items and billed data items. Such example methods also include, in response to a request for network usage information associated with a first billed data item received after the first billed data item has been generated, processing a first one of the second links to identify a first rated data item associated with the first billed data item, processing a first one of the first links to identify a first event data item associated with the first rated data item, and returning the first event data item in response to the request. | 04-04-2013 |
20130103556 | Crowd based content delivery - Crowd based content delivery is disclosed. In some embodiments, managing content delivery includes receiving a specification from a resource provider of an availability of a content delivery service at the resource provider, selecting the resource provider to service requests for a content item, facilitating caching of the content item at the resource provider, and redirecting a request for the content item to the resource provider for servicing. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103557 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A VIRTUAL ENERGY NETWORK - The present relates to a method and system for operating a virtual energy network. The method and system receives electricity at a local energy network from an electric grid, stores at an energy storage appliance electricity received from the electric grid at a first period of time, and provides electricity from the energy storage appliance to the local energy network at a second period of time. The cost of the electricity provided by the electric grid is lower at the first period of time than at the second period of time. The energy storage appliance is connected to a management unit via a communication network, from which it receives an energy storage policy. Also, the electric grid, a plurality of energy storage appliances connected to the electric grid and to a corresponding plurality of local energy networks, and the management unit constitute a virtual energy network. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103558 | WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK (WLAN) GATEWAY SYSTEM - The invention of present provides for real-time authentication and billing gateway for WLAN traffic. Notably, the improved method for implementing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) gateway system enables telecommunications network operators (and like entities) to rate and bill for services accessed by the wireless user. The logic of the invention supports and furthers the art in regard to advanced real-time rating/billing in addition to providing for a variety of replenishment mechanism for casual users via pre-paid vouchers and credit cards. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110688 | Power System for Mobile Devices | 05-02-2013 |
20130110689 | SALES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, METHOD OF MANAGING SALES, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM | 05-02-2013 |
20130117168 | Maximizing Throughput of Multi-user Parallel Data Processing Systems - The invention provides systems and methods for maximizing revenue generating throughput of a multi-user parallel data processing platform across a set of users of the service provided with the platform. The invented techniques, for any given user contract among the contracts supported by the platform, and on any given billing assessment period, determine a level of a demand for the capacity of the platform associated with the given contract that is met by a level of access to the capacity of the platform allocated to the given contract, and assess billables for the given contract at least in part based on such met demand and a level of assured access to the capacity of the platform associated with the given contract, as well as billing rates, applicable for the given billing assessment period, for the met demand and the level of assured access associated with the given contract. | 05-09-2013 |
20130117169 | Zero Coupon Conversion Factor Calculation - The disclosed embodiments relate to a system which calculates a conversion factor (CF) based upon a zero percent (0%) futures contract standard. The zero percent futures contract standard may be used in the context of futures or forwards based upon coupon bearing debt securities including Treasuries, Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS), agencies, corporates, municipals, or any fixed income security. The system also facilitates listing, trading, and settlement of an interest rate futures contract that sets forth such a zero percent futures contract standard. The system may be configured for both interest rate futures contracts utilizing a nonzero percent futures contract standard and interest rate futures contract utilizing a zero percent futures contract standard. The system may be configured to calculate an invoice amount for the interest rate futures contract to be paid in exchange for the delivery of the one of the set of eligible interest rate or debt securities and instruments. | 05-09-2013 |
20130124376 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Bill Timeline - A computer-implemented method for displaying a plurality of bill due dates, the method comprising: displaying an account identifier for each bill in the plurality of bills; showing a timeline with a due date indicator for each bill in the plurality of bills, the timeline disposed proximate to the account identifier; and wherein each of the account identifiers and timelines are disposed along an axis relative to the other account identifiers and timelines | 05-16-2013 |
20130132245 | CHARGING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A charging management system applied in a public facility includes a communicating unit communicating with a server with an online payment system, a charge interface, a power converting unit, a billing unit, and a control unit. The power converting unit converts power provided by a power supply to charge an electronic device connected to the charge interface. The control unit generates an electronic bill according to a charging cost computed by the billing unit, sends the electronic bill to the server, and communicates with the online payment system of the server to pay for the electronic bills. A related method is also provided. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132246 | PROVIDING A SUMMARY OR RECEIPT FOR ON-DEMAND SERVICES THROUGH USE OF PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES - A method for providing a service summary or receipt on a computing device is provided. One or more processors determine information for a service rendered for a user. The information includes a cost for the service, a type of service performed, and a person who performed the service. A summary receipt panel is provided on a display of the computing device and includes the information for the service rendered. The one or more processors provide, on the summary receipt panel, a map that identifies a location relevant to the service rendered and a feedback feature that enables the user to rate the service received. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132247 | MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM OF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - A management method for billing system, the management method includes setting, by a processor, billing address for usage fees of a virtual machine, deployed based on a deploy instruction from a first account, to a second account from which execution instruction for software, which runs on the virtual machine, is issued. | 05-23-2013 |
20130138542 | MANAGING CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Managing electrical charging of vehicles with charging devices related to users demand and available power. One system comprises charging points comprising sockets and a communication module, and a mediator server comprising a database, an application and a graphical user interface. The mediator server is connected to the charging points, to the users and to public utilities and electricity providers. Each charging point is arranged to admit vehicles, couple their charging device to the socket and send vehicle data to the mediator server. The mediator server is arranged to process the vehicle data, user data, and data from the public utilities and the electricity providers, and calculate a vehicle priority and a charging allotment in relation to the number of vehicles at the charging point and to the processed data. Vehicles are charged according to the vehicle priority and the charging allotment. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144768 | REPORTING CIRCUIT BREAKER AND SYSTEM - A circuit breaker having internal power monitoring and data signal generating apparatus, and a system for utilizing such a circuit breaker in a facility having a plurality of tenants served by branch circuits from a plurality of distribution panels. The circuit breaker radiates signals indicative of power consumption of the branch circuit protected thereby, together with a unique address identifier tied to one tenant. Electrical billings are based on summing all signals for each tenant. Changes to branch circuits during tenancy will not disturb correct billings since individual circuit breakers are associated with that tenant using power supplied by each branch circuit. Hence changes to branch circuits may be limited to modify building space locations served by the modified branch circuit, and need not be further modified to maintain correct billing in light of the circuit changes. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144769 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE CUSTOMER PORTAL - In accordance with one embodiment, a system is provided that uses historical and current energy usage data generated by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters to allow users conduct an analysis of energy usage via a portal. In accordance with one embodiment, a tool is provided to allow customers to display an estimated next month bill. | 06-06-2013 |
20130151385 | ACTIVATING AN ACCOUNT BASED ON AN SMS MESSAGE - A plurality of consumer accounts are stored in a data store before being activated by consumers, each having a first pass code and a first PAN or other consumer account identifier. A data exchange module receives an SMS message including a second pass code and extracts a first phone number from the message. A consumer account activation module identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by matching the second pass code with a selected one of the first pass codes, and stores the first phone number as a second phone number in association in the selected consumer account. A communication and routing module receives a charge request including a second PAN, and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first PANs with the second PAN. A transaction processing system then reduces a stored value of the identified consumer account based on the charge. | 06-13-2013 |
20130159153 | Apparatus and methods for energy management system - Apparatus for providing energy management with automation control features are invented. Power consumption details for building or household can be known as well as the expected power bill in advance. The operation status of specific appliance can also be monitored and controlled. Wireless technology is used as a communication medium with a plurality of appliances which facilitates the management of energy consumption with different applications, like checking the operation status, operating hours and consumption data. An advanced feature of communication with the utility provides power information and instant messaging to users. A consumption target can also be set to economize the electricity bill. | 06-20-2013 |
20130166423 | PROVIDING CONTENT ON CONNECTED DEVICES - Among other disclosures, a method can include executing instructions on a computing platform so that an application and consumable content rendered by the application are provided to a connected device, executing instructions on the computing platform so that a confirmation is obtained that the application and consumable content were received by the connected device and the application was successfully installed by the connected device, and executing instructions on the computing platform so that a content delivery relationship, including a billing relationship, is established in response to the obtained confirmation. | 06-27-2013 |
20130166424 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYSTEM INTEGRATION - The present invention relates to a system and method of integration among software components. The method allows integration between data corresponding to a first set of software components and a second set of software components. This method also involves exposing Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to a plurality of end user applications, wherein the APIs allow communication among the at least one end user application, the first set of software components and the second set of software components. | 06-27-2013 |
20130173439 | System and Method for Remote Veterinary Image Analysis and Consultation - A system and method for facilitating an exchange of information between a general practitioner (GP) veterinarian and a veterinarian specialist. The system may comprise a computing device with a processor, memory, a display, and a user interface. The GP veterinarian may use the computing device to locate an appropriate veterinarian specialist and to send and receive files to and from the veterinarian specialist. One method of the present invention may comprise receiving a file containing medical information corresponding a patient or animal, permitting the veterinarian specialist to annotate the file, and sending the file with annotations from the veterinarian specialist to the GP veterinarian so that the GP veterinarian can use the file with the annotations to treat the patient. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173440 | ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT CONTROL DEVICE, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT CONTROL METHOD AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - An equipment control device has: a reception unit for receiving desired time information indicating a desired operation start time or a desired operation termination time, operation period information and electrical power information; a time-shift period setting unit for setting a time-shift period indicating a period which has a time range including the desired time information and during which the operation start time or the operation termination time of a household appliance is shiftable; an electrical power charge information acquisition unit for acquiring electrical power charge information; an operation time computing unit for computing the operation start time or the operation termination time, on the basis of which the electricity charge that is billed when the household appliance is operated within the time-shift period falls to or below a predetermined charge; and a transmission unit for transmitting the operation start time or the operation termination time to the household appliance. | 07-04-2013 |
20130191257 | CONNECTIVITY SYSTEM FOR MULTI-TENANT ACCESS NETWORKS - A system may provide connectivity service in a multi-tenant network. A first node in the multi-tenant network can receive data packets, each of the data packets identifying one of a plurality of tenant devices. The first node can determine an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with each of the data packets. The first node can determine a Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN ID) based on the IP address, the VLAN ID being a unique identifier of a respective one of the tenants. The first node can add the VLAN ID of a corresponding one of the tenants into a header of each of the data packets. The first node can transport the data packets to a second node in the multi-tenant network via a multi-tenant network tunnel protocol. | 07-25-2013 |
20130191258 | BILLING AND CREDIT FOR CONTENT IN A CROSS-PLATFORM SYSTEM - A method includes identifying a subscription event for a digital service subscription for digital content. A billing cycle for the digital content is identified. The method includes determining whether an associated credit cycle for physical content is based on the identified billing cycle. The method also includes determining a billing action for the digital content based on the identified subscription event and the identified billing cycle. A credit action for physical content credits is determined based on the identified subscription event and the associated credit cycle in response to a determination that the associated credit cycle is based on the identified billing cycle. The method further includes determining a credit action for the physical content credits based on the identified subscription event and a maximum credit counter in response to a determination that the associated credit cycle is not based on the identified billing cycle. | 07-25-2013 |
20130191259 | AMOUNT DETERMINING USING MOLDING SYSTEM SENSOR - There is set forth herein in one embodiment a method performed on a computer comprising a processor, the method comprising receiving, via the processor, output of one or more sensor located on a mold of a molding system. The method can further include determining, via the processor, an invoice amount based on the output of one or more sensor. The method can further include generating, via the processor, an invoice based on the determining. | 07-25-2013 |
20130191260 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING DATA ABOUT QUANTITIES OF ENERGY AND EVALUATING SAID DATA - With the present invention, a system and a method is presented, which is capable of automatically clearing relevant data on primary energy amounts or produced quantities of energy, such as heat continuously at a custom unit ( | 07-25-2013 |
20130198050 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DECISION TIME BROKERAGE IN A HYBRID CLOUD ECOSYSTEM - A method and system for providing decision-time brokerage in a hybrid cloud ecosystem is disclosed. Disclosed embodiments may include receiving a workload input by a brokerage engine executing in a computing device communicably connected to at least one cloud computing node in a cloud platform of a cloud service provider, determining resource optimization for the workload input by the brokerage engine, monitoring the workload input for compliance with one or more audit and regulatory metrics, monitoring the cost consumption of the workload input, capturing non-functional context data associated with the workload input into a context repository database, applying one or more rules to the workload, deploying the workload across the one or more cloud platforms. In some embodiments, a deployment recommendation may be provided prior to deployment of the workload. In some embodiments, a social collaboration workflow may be triggered whereby one or more users are provided the deployment recommendation. | 08-01-2013 |
20130211982 | ESTABLISHING A DATA MANGEMENT FEE STRUCTURE BASED ON FINE GRAINED DATA ENTITIES - 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. | 08-15-2013 |
20130226750 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING EMPLOYEE-LIABLE EXPENSES - A method for managing payments made as part of an employee-liable expense reimbursement program is described. A plurality of employees are enrolled in the program and submit requests for reimbursement for expenses related to a service provided to the employees by a service provider for which the employees are liable. The method includes receiving, by the computer system, requests for reimbursement and aggregating the requests for reimbursement scheduled for payment within a predefined time period and associated with the service provider. The method also includes generating an invoice, using the computer system that includes a payment amount to be paid to the first service provider. The method also includes automatically requesting funds from an employer of the plurality of employees for the payment amount included in the invoice and electronically transferring, using the computer system, funds associated with the employer to the service provider. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226751 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING EMPLOYEE-LIABLE EXPENSES - A method for managing payments made as part of an employee-liable expense reimbursement program is described. A plurality of employees are enrolled in the program and submit requests for reimbursement for expenses related to a service provided to the employees by a service provider for which the employees are liable. The method includes receiving, by the computer system, requests for reimbursement and aggregating the requests for reimbursement scheduled for payment within a predefined time period and associated with the service provider. The method also includes generating an invoice that includes a payment amount to be paid to the employee for subsequent payment to the service provider. The method also includes automatically requesting funds from an employer of the plurality of employees for the payment amount included in the invoice and electronically transferring funds associated with the employer to the service provider or alternatively, to the employee for subsequent payment to the service provider. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226752 | METHOD FOR CALCULATING BILL FOR USE OF WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM - To provide a billing method for use of a water purification system that gives incentives for using the water purification system. Such a water purification system is equipped with water purification apparatus having controller and with monitoring server connected to water purification apparatus via public network and having controller. Filtration filter of water purification apparatus has water quality sensor, which measures water quality data of inflow water, and water quality sensor, which measures water quality data of purified water. Water quality data measured by water quality sensors are transmitted to controller and controller. Usage fees for the water purification system are calculated corresponding to improvement rates of water quality, which are calculated based on water quality data of inflow water and water quality data of purified water. | 08-29-2013 |
20130232043 | Systems and Methods of Processing and Classifying a Financial Transaction - The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of classifying financial transactions. In one embodiment, the present disclosure may generally include a system of classifying financial transactions. The system may include a processor coupled to a database. The processor may be programmed to receive transaction information and a source document associated with a financial transaction. The transaction information and source data associated with the source document may be stored in the database. The stored transaction information and the source data may be retrieved from the database and may form a basis for a determination of a code associated with the financial transaction. | 09-05-2013 |
20130238472 | Systems and Methods for Billing Content Providers for Designated Content Delivered Over a Data Network - Some embodiments provide multi-tenant billing systems and methods whereby data network usage fees that are associated with delivering select content of different content providers over a data network are passed to the content provider that originates or is the source for that select content instead of the end users that request and receive the select content. A deep packet inspection server or a billing server may be configured with a list of identifiers to distinguish between the network usage that is related to the delivery of the designated free content from the network usage that is not related to the delivery of the designated free content. The network usage can be distinguished by filtering or processing usage logs that track the network usage using the configured list of identifiers. Such filtering or processing can be done in real-time or in a delayed manner in a standalone or integrated system. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238473 | Systems and Methods for Billing Content Providers for Designated Content Delivered Over a Data Network - Some embodiments provide multi-tenant billing systems and methods whereby data network usage fees that are associated with delivering select content of different content providers over a data network are passed to the content provider that originates or is the source for that select content instead of the end users that request and receive the select content. A deep packet inspection server or a billing server may be configured with a list of identifiers to distinguish between the network usage that is related to the delivery of the designated free content from the network usage that is not related to the delivery of the designated free content. The network usage can be distinguished by filtering or processing usage logs that track the network usage using the configured list of identifiers. Such filtering or processing can be done in real-time or in a delayed manner in a standalone or integrated system. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238474 | Systems and Methods for Gathering and Transmitting Content Royalty Payment Information - The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a content royalty payment system and methods for providing a computer-implemented content royalty payment data output relating to royalty payments due under contracts between a media system operator and content owners. The embodiments describe a system for gathering and exchanging content royalty payment information among content providers and content distributors. The embodiments include user interfaces through which the various users access system functionality in a secure manner. The embodiments also include a database which stores all applicable data, including authorized content distributors and content providers, product catalogs, content royalty payment information, application settings, etc. Further, the embodiments include a Routing & Interface Module to facilitate the exchange of information between a content distributor and its many content providers. The Routing & Interface Module is capable of importing data from content distributors using a defined API and of exporting data to content providers via a defined API or by producing an output file. The Routing Engine also monitors contractual deadlines and provides transaction receipts. | 09-12-2013 |
20130254081 | MAINTENANCE-COST-AWARE BILLING FOR CLOUD SERVICES - In some examples, a method for performing maintenance-cost-aware billing is described. The method may include generating a version of a virtual machine image. The method may also include calculating a usage charge for usage of an instantiated virtual machine corresponding to the version of the virtual machine image. The calculation of the usage charge may be based on an age of the version of the virtual machine image. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254082 | System and method for automatic invoice approval requests - A computer-implemented method for circulating invoices electronically to members of a group so that each relevant member of the group can review the invoice and make changes or add comments the other relevant members of the group, in the context of an online network. When the invoice is ready for review by a member of the group, that member receives a notification on his or her online network homepage. The notification that the invoice is ready for review contains a link to the invoice within the online network, so that each reviewing member can automatically access the invoice through the notification link. As each member of the relevant group completes their review of the invoice, a notification is sent to the next member in a sequence of members selected to review the invoice. | 09-26-2013 |
20130262280 | Building Optimization Platform And Web-Based Invoicing System - A building management and optimization system and method are disclosed. Building services data obtained at the building is received by a building optimization platform through a first communication network. The building optimization platform includes at least one server system for generating an electronic invoice based on the building services use data. A representation of the electronic invoice is transmitted to a user interface through a second communication network for web-based review, editing and approval by a property manager associated with the building. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268419 | MULTIPOINT BILLING QUALITY CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION - A device is provided that includes a processor to: receive current billing information associated with an account of a customer; receive prior billing information associated with the account; compare the current billing information with the prior billing information; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information based on the comparison; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to improperly applied promotional information to the account; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to an improperly applied set of rules to the account; correct, when one or more inaccuracies exist in the current billing information; the one or more inaccuracies; and create a final bill for the account based on the current billing information and the corrected one or more inaccuracies. | 10-10-2013 |
20130275282 | ANONYMOUS BILLING - Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to billing for transactions involving a claims provider. In aspects, in conjunction with presenting a claim to a relying party, billing information is provided to a billing service. The billing information may include information to identify a claims provider that provided the claim and information that identifies the relying party. The information does not include data that can be used to determine the natural identity of a user that presented the claim. In response, a count is updated that can be used for billing. The count is not usable to determine the natural identities of users that presented claims to the relying party. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275283 | Tariff Management Test Automation - A method for an operator to test tariff and/or billing configurations using a computer based system, the method being effected by a user interface, said method including the steps of creating through said computer based system one or more accounts from a selection of a first set of options by the operator from the user interface, allocating a service or services to each account from a selection of a second set of options by the operator from the user interface said allocated services being assigned to said accounts by said computer based system, and adding at least one package or component to each account from a selection of a third set of options by the operator from the user interface said packages or components services being assigned to said accounts by said computer based system. | 10-17-2013 |
20130282540 | CLOUD COMPUTING CONSOLIDATOR BILLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A consolidated bill for commodity computing services may be unconsolidated by obtaining periodic usage statistics corresponding to computing-commodity usage specific to each entity whose consumption is included in the consolidated bill. Based at least in part on the usage statistics and on one or more entity-specific discount entitlements, a discounted billing rate that is applicable to at least some of an entity's usage can be determined, as can a non-discounted billing rate. Using the determined statistics and billing rates, an unblended cost for each entity's specific commodity usage can be computed and stored for subsequent presentation to each entity and/or for further processing. | 10-24-2013 |
20130282541 | Utility Services Payment System, Methods and Apparatus - The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for combining aspects of a prepay and post pay utility service billing arrangement. When a customer enrolls in the program with the system, utility service is initiated and a first bill is generated and transmitted; the amount of the first bill is an estimated amount of charges for the service to be provided during a first period. In subsequent billing periods, subsequent bills are generated and transmitted and each includes an estimated amount of charges for the subsequent period as well as a difference between actual and estimated charges for the service during the previous billing period, less any payments received from the customer. Service may be terminated if the customer withdraws from the program, if the customer fails to make timely payments, or for other reasons. If service is terminated, a final bill may be generated and transmitted based on actual charges, net of any amounts | 10-24-2013 |
20130304616 | TEXT NOT AVAILABLE - A technique involves modular storage of network service plan components and provisioning of same. A subset of the capabilities of a service design system can be granted to a sandbox system to enable customization of service plan offerings or other controls. | 11-14-2013 |
20130317959 | ELECTROLYSER AND ENERGY SYSTEM - An electrolyser operates within an energy system, for example to provide grid services, energy storage or fuel, or to produce hydrogen from electricity produced from renewable resources. The electrolyser may be configured to operate at frequently or quickly varying rates of electricity consumption or to operate at a specified power consumption. In one process of operating an electrolyser, a series of dispatches is received indicating a specified power consumption for a period of time. The dispatches may occur at least once every 30 minutes. The electrolyser is operated according to the dispatches. Hydrogen produced by the electrolyser is discharged to a natural gas system. | 11-28-2013 |
20130339202 | System and Method for Detecting Billing Errors Using Predictive Modeling - A system and method for detecting billing errors using predictive models is provided. The system includes a computer system and a billing error detection engine capable of detecting billing errors using predictive modeling techniques. The system receives and pre-processes billing information. The system then applies one or more predictive models to the information to identify billing errors. The results could be optionally sent to, and reviewed by, third party auditors, whereby their feedback could be incorporated into the results. A final report is generated by the system which indicates billing errors that require correction, thereby allowing an entity to correct such errors and prevent revenue leakage. | 12-19-2013 |
20130346268 | Mobile Application Management - A computer-implemented method may include determining whether a computing device accessing an online application marketplace is associated with a particular business entity registered with the online application marketplace. The method may further include identifying applications that were selected by a representative of the particular business entity to be identified to users whose devices are determined to be associated with the particular business entity. The method may still further include providing data for displaying the applications and a control for downloading executable code for at least one of the applications, receiving an indication that the control has been selected by the user to download the executable code for the applications, and providing the executable code for the at least one of the applications. | 12-26-2013 |
20130346269 | DIGITAL METER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are a digital meter communication system and a method of controlling the same. The digital meter includes: a signal detecting unit metering analog data for used energy; a converter converting the analog data for used energy metered from the signal detecting unit into digital data for used energy; a modulating unit modulating the converted digital data for used energy; an antenna transmitting the modulated digital data for used energy to a data collection device with maximum power; and a controlling unit controlling to transmit the metered data to the data collection device through the antenna. | 12-26-2013 |
20140006235 | Method, Apparatus, and Product for distribution-based incentives relating to resource consumption | 01-02-2014 |
20140006236 | CONSISTENT INTERFACE FOR INVOICE SCHEDULE AND INVOICE SCHEDULE PROCESSING LOG | 01-02-2014 |
20140006237 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VARIABLE PRICING OF DATA USAGE | 01-02-2014 |
20140012719 | Virtual Redaction Service - A redaction system including a system for receiving an electronic version of a first document; a system for generating an electronic version of a second document which is a redacted version of the first document, wherein the system for generating includes a computer having a redaction engine coupled to a source of redaction rules; and a system for transmitting the second document from the redaction system. | 01-09-2014 |
20140019320 | Methods and Systems for Managing Transaction Card Accounts - A method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves providing a customer a transaction card account by a financial institution against which the customer can charge predetermined types of transactions during predefined account statement periods and sending a statement of charges against the account to the customer at an end of each account statement period specifying a due date, after which a predefined late fee is assessed on the account if the statement is not paid. However, the late fee is automatically waived on the account within specified products if the customer makes a purchase or secures a cash advance during the account statement period for which the payment is due. Further, a voice response unit of the financial institution gives the customer a first menu option to opt out of a voice response unit scripted call and speak directly to a live representative about the account at any time during the call. | 01-16-2014 |
20140025547 | METHOD FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER AND BILLING FOR ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLIED USING FREQUENCY REGULATION CREDITS - A method supplying AC power and billing a customer using frequency regulation credits. The method includes using an AC frequency measuring device, measuring a current AC frequency on an AC power line; using a power consumption measuring device, measuring a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time equal to a sampling interval; calculating a power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; generating credits or debits based on the current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average; adding the credits or debits to a frequency regulation credit; and for each next sampling interval repeating measuring the current AC frequency, measuring current power consumption, calculating the power consumption moving average, generating the credits or debits, and adding the credits or debits to the frequency regulation credit. | 01-23-2014 |
20140052593 | UNIVERSAL SHOPPING CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL OPERATION - An international transaction system for operation over the internet/intranet provides a pre-transactional calculation of all charges involved in any international transaction. Upon the option of the customer, the goods can be viewed on catalogue sheets translated to a language of the customer's choice, and the price provided in a currency selected by the customer. The customer also has the option of initiating the order with automatic credit authorization, generation of an electronic title or commercial invoice and arrangements and payment of shipping charges and any taxes and import/export duties. | 02-20-2014 |
20140067633 | System and Method for Management and Verification of Invoices - Embodiments of the present invention include architectures and methods for automated management of invoices. Embodiments of the present invention may include techniques for receiving and unifying invoice data, retrieving information about each invoice, verifying each invoice and resolving invoice exceptions. The present invention includes software components for efficiently processing invoices. In other embodiments, the present invention includes methods of processing an invoice. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074674 | TRACKING FOR ROYALTY DETERMINATION - A system including at least one memory having a plurality of individual contributions forming a compilation stored in the at least one memory; and at least one processor connected to the at least one memory, where the processor is configured to use provenance data associated with a catalog item to track an individual contribution in a compilation of contributions, where the compilation is stored in the at least one memory; and dynamically compute a royalty distribution for the individual contribution based, at least partially, upon at least one metric related to the contributions which form the compilation. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081815 | Process and System for Synchronizing Data From a Meter Collection Database to a Billing Database - There is provided a synchronization procedure built to gather customer multi-function printer (MFP) usage and to verify and aggregate gathered data and associate it with a customer and child sites associated with the customer. The aim of this procedure is to ensure that the client has been billed/credited properly and the services provider receives the monies that it is due. | 03-20-2014 |
20140089152 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME PRICING WITH VOLUME DISCOUNTING - A system and method are provided for facilitating real-time pricing with volume discounting. The method includes receiving a request for a real-time price quote for a transaction from a first account. The request is received at a first instance in time during a billing cycle. The method also includes determining a first production service, where the first production service is a component of the transaction, and determining a count of first production service instances representing the first production service in the received transaction. The method further includes determining a billable entity for the transaction, where the billable entity includes one or more related accounts, and the related accounts include the first account. | 03-27-2014 |
20140095362 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATING EXPENSE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION - Methods and systems for communicating expense management information between an expense management system and a mobile device are provided. The methods and systems include one or more applications for a mobile device, such as mobile phone, that enable a user, such as an expense manager for an entity such as a business entity or other organization, to use their mobile device to communicate and exchange data with an expense management system, such as a telecommunications expense management system. The methods and systems enable an expense manager to review and approve invoices, generate graphics to review usage or other data, and conduct data searches relative to the expenses being managed. | 04-03-2014 |
20140101010 | BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE REPORT PROVIDER - A system for providing a business intelligence report for a user. The system displays a list of available business intelligence reports. The system receives a request, from a business intelligence application, for at least one business intelligence report from the list of available business intelligence reports. The system provides configuration details to the business intelligence application. The configuration details determine a query. The business intelligence application performs the query on business data of a user database. The at least one business intelligence report is based upon the results of the query. | 04-10-2014 |
20140101011 | Document Vault and Application Platform - Online document storage and/or retrieval techniques are described. In an implementation, one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that are executable to provide a web service application programming interface (API). The web service API is configured to accept a document and information specified by the document's provider. The information specifying which of a plurality of tabs in a user interface at least a portion of data included in the document is to be is to be associated with for display in which at least one of the tabs pertains to billing data and another one of the tabs does not pertain to billing data. | 04-10-2014 |
20140114825 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ROUTING E-INVOICES - Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for routing electronic invoices. The computer system is in data communication with a network. The computer system is programmed to receive an electronic invoice in a first electronic invoice format via the network, translate the electronic invoice from the first electronic invoice format to an intermediary electronic invoice format, and identify, using the processor, a second electronic invoice format that is different than the first electronic invoice format. The computer system is further programmed to translate the electronic invoice from the intermediary electronic invoice format to the second electronic invoice format and transmit the electronic invoice in the second electronic invoice format via the network. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114826 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Large volumes of financial transactions are processed today across a variety of financial platforms including but not limited to debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, e-purse, Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) transactions, and Point of Sale (POS) cards. It would be beneficial if financial transaction software systems and/or software applications supported discrete and periodic transactions wherein the timescales of transactions may be established with high flexibility. It would be further of benefit if the financial system provided increased security such that customer specific financial data is stored within a trusted platform wherein external databases identifying a customer cannot be linked directly to that within the trusted platform. Further it would beneficial for such a system to exploit an encryption key pool such that an encryption key employed was only identified through a unique identity and that said encryption keys within the pool may be expired with arbitrary policies. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114827 | FEE CHECK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer parses a fee list from a patent office website and saves each fee record of the fee list into a data list stored in a database. The computer calculates a first fee of each case in the data list and a second fee of each case in the patent management server. The computer notifies a person in charge of checking fee, in response to a determination that the first fee of the case does not match the second fee of the case. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114828 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REDUNDANT CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS DELIVERY USING HYBRID DELIVERY CHANNELS - A system and method for providing redundant customer communications delivery using hybrid delivery channels is provided. In one configuration, the system utilizes an initial delivery channel to send a batch of customer communications and later utilizes a different, delayed backup delivery channel to reseed only a subset of those communications as deemed necessary. | 04-24-2014 |
20140122309 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF DRIVING THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, BILLING APPARATUS, METHOD OF DRIVING THE BILLING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus, a method of driving the image forming apparatus, a billing apparatus, a method of driving the billing apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a first counter to count the number of sheets used as a job amount of an image forming job, a second counter to count the number of sheets billed as a billed amount after billing for the number of sheets used is performed, and a controller to control the billed amount to coincide with the job amount if values of the job amount and the billed amount do not coincide with each other when an event occurs. | 05-01-2014 |
20140129399 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR SETTING PRINTING FEE - An apparatus determines whether an input image is color or monochrome, obtains the color amount in the input image, performs image processing on the input image, prints the processed input image, and sets a fee for printing the input image based on the obtained color amount. | 05-08-2014 |
20140129400 | ELECTRONIC PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A computing system receives an invoice and matches, based on a country in which a carrier of the shipment is established, a country in which a recipient of the shipment is established, an origin country of the shipment, and a destination country of the shipment, the invoice to a row in a buyer-specified configuration matrix. The computing system determines, based on the identified row in the buyer-specified configuration matrix, whether a buyer or the shipper is responsible for payment of value-added tax (VAT) on the shipment. If the buyer is responsible for payment of the VAT on the shipment, the computing system includes a line item in the invoice that indicates that the buyer is responsible for payment of the VAT on the shipment. The computing system provides the invoice to the buyer. | 05-08-2014 |
20140136379 | Delivery of Security Solutions Based On-Demand - A computer can receive an alarm event data that results from detection of an event by an alarm system. The alarm event data comprises an identifier for the alarm system. In response to receiving the alarm event data, the computer can access a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system. Based on information maintained in the service subscription account, the computer can determine whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the service subscription account. If a processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, the computer can record the alarm event data and the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice and forward the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device. | 05-15-2014 |
20140149269 | TECHNIQUES FOR PROCESSING CUSTOMER SERVICE TRANSACTIONS AT CUSTOMER SITE USING MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - Techniques are described for facilitating delivery and adjustments of customer orders at a customer delivery site. A delivery courier is assigned a mobile field computing device for facilitating delivery and order adjustments of customer orders associated with that courier's delivery route. The mobile field computing device includes memory for storing customer order history data and delivery route data downloaded from a server system. The delivery route data stored in the mobile field computing device may be used by the delivery courier to facilitate delivery of the customer orders. Further, the delivery courier may use the mobile field computing device to process a variety of different order adjustment transactions at a customer delivery site. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149270 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH INTEGRATED METERING - A controller for a private unit in a multi-unit building is provided. The controller operates the private unit's HVAC equipment, and includes a processor, output display, memory, and a RF module for communication. The controller is operable to receive temperature or flow values of a fluid passing through the HVAC equipment. Using the received temperature values of the fluid passing through the HVAC equipment, the controller calculates a measured value of HVAC usage of the HVAC equipment. The measured value can be in units of energy or in dollars. | 05-29-2014 |
20140156477 | PLATFORM-AS-A-SERVICE BILLING - An illustrative embodiment of a process for reconciling billing measures to cost factors, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, a set of billing measures from one or more applications and a set of cost factors from infrastructure feeds. Analyzing the set of billing measures and cost factors received, using a set of defined relationships to create analyzed information and generates, by the one or more processors, a set of reports using the analyzed information. Responsive to a determination to update the set of definitions, update the sets of definitions using information from the generated reports. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156478 | NON-METERED WIRELESS SYSTEM AND METHOD TO RENDER USAGE BASED INVOICES FOR STORAGE TANK CONSUMABLES - A method, system and computer-readable medium for managing usage of storage tank consumables in a storage tank are provided. This is achieved by receiving and storing by a central server comprising a processor and a storage device, measurements of storage tank consumables from a remote system associated with a storage tank; periodically calculating by the processor usage-based data for generating invoices for storage tank consumables based on sensor measurements representative of an estimated usage of the storage tank consumables; receiving and storing by the central server a fill value representing an actual usage reported to the central server when the storage tank is filled; and reconciling the estimated usage with the actual usage by the processor by summing all estimated usages since a last fill of the storage tank, calculating a difference between the sum of the estimated usages and the fill value, and issuing a debit or credit based on the difference for reconciliation. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156479 | On Net Faxing - Distribution of electronic documents is described, including receiving an electronic document to be distributed, identifying whether a destination identifier is associated with a destination account among a known group of customer accounts, routing the electronic document, and calculating a fee associated with delivery of the electronic document based on whether the destination account is among the known group of customers and a set of billing rules. The set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to each of a known group of customer accounts. In other aspects, the set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to a first group of the known group of customer accounts and specify a standard fee for a second group of the known group of customer accounts. | 06-05-2014 |
20140164195 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING USE OF A LAMP - Systems and methods for monitoring and tracking usage of a lamp and, in one example, assigning a monetary value that can be billed to an end user are provided. Examples of the lamps can communicate wirelessly in order to receive and to transmit information related to initialization, authorization, electrical power consumption monitoring, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the lamp transmits data a usage parameter to a service provider via a network. The service provider can aggregate the data and, in one example, assign a usage fee that describes a monetary value based on the usage parameter and generate an output that includes that usage fee. | 06-12-2014 |
20140164196 | System and Method for Remote Payment for an Electric Vehicle Charging Station - A system and method is provided for billing transactions associated with an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). A server may receive a station identifier associated with the EVCS from a computing device. The station identifier may be retrieved by decoding a code at the computing device. The code may include a graphic bit pattern that is configured to be decoded based on an optically captured representation of the code. The server may determine whether the EVCS is legitimate based on the station identifier. The server may provide a signal to the EVCS to initiate charging of a vehicle plugged into the EVCS in response to a determination that the EVCS is legitimate. | 06-12-2014 |
20140164197 | User Feedback in Semi-Automatic Question Answering Systems - A system applies rules to a set of documents to generate codes, such as billing codes for use in medical billing. A human operator provides input specifying whether the generated codes are correct. Based on the input from the human operator, the system attempts to identify which clause(s) in the rules which were relied on to generate the particular code are correct and which such clause(s) are incorrect. The system then assigns praise to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the correct clauses, and assigns blame to components of the system responsible for generating codes in the incorrect clauses. Such blame and praise may then be used to determine whether particular code-generating components are insufficiently reliable. The system may disable, or take other remedial action in response to, insufficiently reliable code-generating components. | 06-12-2014 |
20140172657 | REVERSE RATING AND APPLICATIONS TO OVERAGE BILLING - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for using reverse rating to determine the monetary value of consumption of services measured by one or more meters. A plurality of consumption readings associated with a second time may be received from a set of meters tracking consumption by a consumer. Consumption rates may be determined for the meters based on the received consumption readings and on initial consumption values from a first time prior to the second time. A monetary liability function may be determined for the consumer based on the consumption rates and a plurality of rating functions associated with the meters. A third time may be calculated based on the monetary liability function at which a monetary target is reached by the meters. The monetary target may be a monetary cap on consumption by the meters, or a monetary commitment value. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172658 | VOLUME-RATE FOOD-WASTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS AND CHARGING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH THE SAME - A volume-rate food-waste disposal apparatus recognizes a user who discharges food-waste into the food-waste disposal apparatus to produce source information and weights the food-waste to produce weight information. The food-waste disposal apparatus receives an electrical power in a wireless manner and dries the food-waste using magnetic waves. The food-waste disposal apparatus transmits the source information and the source information to a charging server so that an on-line food-waste disposal fee per source is billed on a basis of a prefixed food-waste disposal fee per weight. | 06-19-2014 |
20140180884 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 06-26-2014 |
20140180885 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 06-26-2014 |
20140180886 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity, and are compensated through settlement for their functional participation in the electric power grid. Also, messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 06-26-2014 |
20140188676 | AUTOMATED CONFIGURATION FOR NETWORK APPLIANCES - Some embodiments include a method for initially configuring a network appliance. The method can detect, by the network appliance, a subscriber network. The method can transmit, to a remote configuration service via the subscriber network, a request for configuration information for the network appliance, and receive, via the subscriber network, the configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first parameters for the subscriber network, and second parameters for an access network for connecting computing devices to the network appliance. The method can also perform an automated initial configuration of the network appliance using the configuration information, wherein the automated configuration does not require user input, and wherein the automated configuration includes using the first parameters and the second parameters to configure the network appliance for use with the access network and the subscriber network. | 07-03-2014 |
20140195394 | System and Method for Charging Services Using Effective Quanta Units - Embodiments are provided for enabling dynamic pricing of services to users. The amount of usage all or different services are quantized into quanta of minimum usage units, such as to an amount of effective bits (eBits) in communications services. The amount of usage of the different services is weighted differently, such as according to service cost or demand, to obtain corresponding amount of quanta of usage or eBits for each service. The amount of quanta of usage or eBits for the different services is summed up to provide a total amount of quanta of usage or eBits. The total amount of quanta of usage or eBits is converted into a total charge, as a product of the total amount of quanta of usage or eBits, or a monotonic function of the total amount, and a fixed charge rate per quanta of usage or eBit. | 07-10-2014 |
20140201046 | DATA RECOVERY PRICING METHOD AND DATA BACKUP AND RECOVERY METHOD - A method for pricing data recovery for a sequence of time periods based on an estimate of the amount of data that will be recovered. For the first period, the price is the backup capacity times a price rate times an assumed recovery rate, which is a pre-determined number. For subsequent periods, the price is the backup capacity times the price rate times the actual amount of data recovered in the prior time period. The method also includes a data backup and recovery method using the data recovery pricing method, which provides tracker software to measure the amount of data recovered. | 07-17-2014 |
20140207636 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IMAGE - Disclosed embodiments relate to a method implementable on a computing device for modifying color characteristics of an image. The method includes identifying one or more regions in the image based on a luminance value associated with one or more pixels in the image. Each region comprises a first set of pixels having a predefined range of luminance values. The first set of pixels is categorized in a first set of predefined color categories corresponding to the each region based, at least in part, on a chroma value associated with each pixel in the first set of pixels. Each predefined color category in the first set of predefined color categories comprises a second set of pixels. The color characteristics of the second set of pixels are modified based on a region and a predefined color category associated with the second set of pixels. | 07-24-2014 |
20140222634 | Method for Environmental Control and Monitoring - An environmental control and monitoring method is provided. An electronic communication including a selection of a climate control operational mode to modify an environment within a particular designated area is received from one of a plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices via a network, wherein each of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices include one or more climate control subsystems for modifying an environment within a designated area. The selection of the climate control operational mode is associated with a climate control parameter and the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices. An operation of a particular climate control subsystem of the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices is initiated to modify the environment within the particular designated area based on the climate control parameter. A usage parameter based on the operation of the particular climate control subsystem is received via the network. A billing message associated with a user is generated based on the usage parameter, and the billing message is transmitted to a billing system, wherein the billing message results in a charge to an account of the user. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236784 | SHIPPING ORDER SETTLEMENT BASIS - A system receives an order for a shipment of goods, and extracts data from the order for use in creating a bill for the shipment. The system creates a settlement basis map using the data extracted from the order and an agreement between the producer of the goods and a logistics service provider. Settlement bases for the bill are then determined. The settlement bases include an order basis and/or an execution basis. The system prepares billable data for the bill based on the settlement bases. The system updates the order by discarding the stages of the order that are to be billed based on the execution basis. The system then formulates the execution data, consolidates any remaining order data and the execution data, and creates the bill for the shipment based on the settlement bases, the order data, and the execution data. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236785 | Systems and Methods for Telecommunication Expense Management - Systems and Methods for telecommunication expense management are provided. A distributed platform including a user support site, multiple user databases and customized user applications is provided to enable organizations to better manage their telecommunication services and expenses. In an embodiment, a method for electronically processing telecommunication invoices includes importing the telecommunication invoices, extracting elements from the imported invoices and performing reasonability tests on the imported invoices. The reasonability test includes conducting an automated comparison against established criteria that may be customized by users. The method includes generating one or more interactive reports that enable an organization to effectively manage its telecommunication services. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236786 | Human Review of an Image Stream for a Parking Camera System - Providing human review of an image stream for a parking camera system is disclosed. Initially, a first image stream is received from a first camera having a first field of view showing a first vehicle or at least one destination location. Next, it is determined that a value for the at least one type of information relating to the at least one destination location or the first vehicle has failed to be automatically detected. In response, an exemption event is generated. Presentation of the at least part of the first image stream to a human operator is then enabled. Finally, the value for the at least one type of information relating to the at least one destination location or the first vehicle is received from the human operator. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236787 | REPORTING CIRCUIT BREAKER AND SYSTEM - A circuit breaker having internal power monitoring and data signal generating apparatus, and a system for utilizing such a circuit breaker in a facility having a plurality of tenants served by branch circuits from a plurality of distribution panels. The circuit breaker radiates signals indicative of power consumption of the branch circuit protected thereby, together with a unique address identifier tied to one tenant. Electrical billings are based on summing all signals for each tenant. Changes to branch circuits during tenancy will not disturb correct billings since individual circuit breakers are associated with that tenant using power supplied by each branch circuit. Hence changes to branch circuits may be limited to modify building space locations served by the modified branch circuit, and need not be further modified to maintain correct billing in light of the circuit changes. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236788 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING LICENSING/BILLING FEES FOR COMPUTER SECURITY SOFTWARE - 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. | 08-21-2014 |
20140244459 | MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF RESOURCE CONSUMED BY DEVICE - A minimum amount is updated if a resource is consumed by the device before a corresponding timestamp. A maximum amount is updated only if a current timestamp is after the corresponding timestamp. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244460 | FEE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, AND FEE MANAGEMENT METHOD - A disclosed fee management system is for managing attending fees that are charged when transmission terminals attend a conversation in a transmission management system, which manages transmission of information associated with the conversation between the transmission terminals. The fee management system includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire attending hours information and conversation quality information, the attending hours information indicating attending hours for which the respective transmission terminals have attended the conversation, the conversation quality information indicating conversation communication service quality provided during the conversation; an attending hours computing unit configured to compute total attending hours based on the attending hours information, the total attending hours indicating hours for which the terminal has attended the conversation; and an attending fee computing unit configured to compute an attending fee for each of the terminals based on the corresponding total attending hours and the conversation quality information. | 08-28-2014 |
20140249975 | INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM - A system for coordinating the submission and processing of a bill according to predictive payment data of a plan. The system comprises a provider interface and an integrated database for receiving a predictive payment plan submitted from the provider interface. The system also has a predictive payment request of the plan storable in the database, the request including a plurality of predictive payment parameters. An adjudication engine is coupled to the integrated database, and an insertion function is used for inserting the predictive payment parameters, when stored in the database, into an adjudication rule set of the adjudication engine. The adjudication rule set is used for eventual adjudication of the predictive payment data, wherein adjudication of the predictive payment data results in the generation of the bill. The system also has a workflow engine coupled to the integrated database for coordinating the processing of the electronic bill and for updating the bill information in response to the bill processing. A management system is coupled to the integrated database for monitoring the contents of the integrated database accessible by the provider interface, wherein the provider can coordinate real-time retrieval of submission and status details for bill information contained in the integrated database. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249976 | ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND EV CHARGING SYSTEM - According to an embodiment, an accounting system includes a charging device configured to charge a battery, an EMS server configured to be communicable with the charging device and a vehicle, accounting management module for executing authentication between user information in a user information database, which stores the user information including a user ID and a billing destination, and information which is received, and an AMI configured to connect the accounting management module and the EMS server. The EMS server is configured to receive the user ID and a charging power amount from the charging device, to transmit them to the accounting management module, and to transmit the user ID and a used power amount by the charging to the accounting management module. | 09-04-2014 |
20140258058 | COST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, COST MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, AND COST MANAGEMENT METHOD - A cost management system includes one or more computers. At least one computer includes an obtainment part configured to obtain usage information of a device; a first storage part configured to store identification information having the usage information associated therewith; a determination part configured to determine a billing destination associated with a cost relating to the usage information based on the identification information having the usage information associated therewith, stored in the first storage part; a generation part configured to generate billing information associated with the cost to the billing destination; and an output part configured to output the billing information. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258059 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An information processing system that performs data processing based on trade information includes a trade information acquiring part which acquires the trade information; a rule information storing part which stores first rule information applied to trade amounts contained in the trade information and second rule information applied to invoice data that are produced based on the first rule information; and a workflow control part which controls the invoice data that are produced based on the first rule information so that the invoice data are stored based on the second information. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258060 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Bill Timeline - A computer-implemented method for displaying a plurality of bill due dates, the method comprising: displaying an account identifier for each bill in the plurality of bills; showing a timeline with a due date indicator for each bill in the plurality of bills, the timeline disposed proximate to the account identifier; and wherein each of the account identifiers and timelines are disposed along an axis relative to the other account identifiers and timelines | 09-11-2014 |
20140279319 | BILLING ACCOUNT REJECT SOLUTION - Apparatus for coordinating a rule-based relationship between a bank, a vendor and a merchant is provided. The apparatus may include a first receiver configured to receive an employee identification number input into a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The apparatus may additionally include the first receiver being configured to receive a billing account number input into the GUI. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to determine if the billing account number includes a number of consecutive, identical digits. The processor may further be configured to determine if the number of consecutive, identical digits is equal to or greater than a threshold number of consecutive, identical digits. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279320 | ALLOCATING AND PRICING VIRTUAL RESOURCES - A method and apparatus for allocating and pricing virtual resources is provided. According to one aspect, pricing information is obtained for a plurality of virtual resources offered by a plurality of providers. A set of selected virtual resources is determined for a first customer. An expected quantity is determined for at least one virtual resource for the first customer. A fixed charge is determined based on the pricing information, the set of selected virtual resources and at least one expected quantity. At least one unit rate is determined for at least one virtual resource based on the pricing information. The first customer is provided access to the set of selected virtual resources during a billing period, wherein the fixed charge is billed for the billing period. An overflow charge, if any, is determined the at least one unit rate and an actual usage during the billing period. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279321 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CHARGE DISTRIBUTION IN A TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT COMPONENT - A method and system of distributing costs in a transportation management system is provided. A charge element for a cost to be applied to a transportation invoice is received, wherein the charge element identifies a charge amount. Then, for each distribution item, a distribution element corresponding to the distribution item is created in response to a determination that the charge element is applicable to the distribution item, wherein each distribution item corresponds to an item transported in a shipment associated with the transportation invoice. A quantity type identified in a distribution rule for the charge element is determined. Then quantities of the quantity type are obtained for each distribution element. These quantities are summed into an aggregate quantity. Then, for each distribution element, a cost for the charge element equal to a quantity of the distribution element divided by the aggregate quantity multiplied by the charge amount is allocated. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279322 | DOCUMENT TRACKING TOOL - Tracking technology, in which document information for at least one document received for processing by a document processing system is obtained. The document processing system is configured to process the at least one document in stages that are performed by at least two different applications operated by at least two separate hardware systems. Status updates indicative of processing of the at least one document in each of the stages are obtained. A progress of the processing of the at least one document in each of the stages based on the status updates is tracked. The at least one document meets one or more pre-defined processing requirements related to the processing are evaluated. Information about the stages of the processing of the at least one document based on the tracked progress and the evaluation is reported. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279323 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING CRITICAL FIELDS FROM A MOBILE IMAGE OF A CREDIT CARD BILL - The embodiments herein focus on improving recognition accuracy of these fields on credit card bills by detecting and identifying critical fields on a credit card, extracting the data from the critical fields and comparing the data with known data on a payor, payee and biller. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279324 | CONTENT ACCESS WITH HANDHELD DOCUMENT DATA CAPTURE DEVICES - Embodiments of the disclosed innovations provide systems and methods for automatically locating and retrieving digital supplemental materials and counterparts of rendered documents. These systems and methods are especially useful when the provider or copyright holder of the digital document charges a fee for access to the digital materials. Some embodiments solve the technical problem of allowing a user to access restricted digital content associated with a rendered document via a search string captured from the rendered document. Some embodiments further provide automatic intermediation to gain access to protected digital materials. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279325 | METHOD OF PROVIDING LUMENS AND TRACKING OF LUMEN CONSUMPTION - Techniques are disclosed for compensating an LED light fixture/light source provider for generation of photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer. In one example, a method comprises receiving a monetary amount as compensation for photons generated by the LED light fixtures/light sources, maintaining a contractual relationship with the customer in exchange for the monetary amount, the contractual relationship including a requirement that the provider pay an electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources, determining, with a meter associated with each respective LED light fixture/light source, the amount of electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources used by the customer over a period of time, and in response to the determination and on behalf of the customer, submitting payment to the customer's electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources used by the customer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279326 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity, and are compensated through settlement for their functional participation in the electric power grid. Also, messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 09-18-2014 |
20140289082 | ELECTRIC CHARGING MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Described embodiments relate to authorizing an electric vehicle to perform an electric charging operation. A server may receive an electric charging request message from user equipment associated with an electric vehicle, determine whether an electric vehicle is located near to an electric outlet within a predetermined distance based on information included in the electric charging request message in response to the electric charging request message, and transmit one of an electric charging approval message and an electric charging disapproval message to the electric vehicle based on the determination result. | 09-25-2014 |
20140289083 | METHOD OF CLASSIFYING A BILL - Briefly, embodiments of a method of classifying a bill are disclosed. | 09-25-2014 |
20140297491 | FLEXIBLY PRICING CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES - Technology is described for flexibly pricing cloud computing services. In some examples, the technology may receive at a cloud service provider a first set of information from an Internet service provider that provides an Internet service. The first set of information may relate to expected user behavior of a representative user of the Internet service provider. The technology may identify one or more computing resources employed by the Internet service provided by the Internet service provider and analyze the first set of information to determine a cycle. The cycle is a function of the computing resources expected to be employed by the representative user of the Internet service provider. The technology may compute a service fee for each instance of the cycle and allocates the service fee to the Internet service provider. | 10-02-2014 |
20140316956 | Cost Allocation System, Method and Device Having Multiple Data Collection Modules with Hierarchal Structures - A system has a hierarchal data structure for at least one offering, at least one provider of the offering and at least one receiver of the offering. In one embodiment, the system receives an input for a transaction involving the provider and receiver. The system generates cost information, which is available to system users. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316957 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH HIERARCHICAL INVOICING AND DIRECT PAYMENT FEATURES - A construction payment management system stores project data stored on a computer-readable memory for a plurality of construction projects. The system accesses stored project data for a first construction project and electronically generates a first request for payment on behalf of a first participant in the first construction project in response to information received by the application server from the first participant. The first request for payment is generated based at least in part on the accessed project data and is displayed to a general contractor for the first construction project. A payment is initiated from a project owner for the first construction project to the first participant based on the first request for payment after receiving approval of the request for payment from the general contractor. The stored project data stored is then updated based on the payment made to the first participant. | 10-23-2014 |
20140324650 | FIELD PROGRAMMABLE HIERARCHICAL CLOUD BILLING SYSTEM - A billing method is received and authenticated; the billing method includes a function or procedure for computing a bill for the usage of cloud-based computing resources. | 10-30-2014 |
20140324651 | INTEGRATED SERVICE IDENTITY FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE SERVICES - A service provisioning method includes providing a differentiated set of information exchange services to a user. In some embodiments, differentiation between or among the provided services may include differentiated access networks, differentiated physical network layers, and/or differentiated service providers. An integrated service identity may be generated and/or maintained by the service provider(s) or by a third party. The integrated services identity may enable the user to define preference settings applicable to the information exchange services, to process billable events and activity and to issue integrated statements encompassing all of the information exchange services provided to the user, and enabling the user to access customer support services for any of the information exchange services and further enabling the logging of all customer support activities to the integrated service identity. | 10-30-2014 |
20140324652 | PASSIVE RFID POSTAGE STAMPS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A system and method for postage payment utilizes passive RFID tags as postage “stamps”, with the amount of the postage automatically billed to a previously-established customer account. The tags are stored in a separate stamp database and are “enabled” by linking the individual tag to a customer account. The use of the RFID stamps eliminates the need for the customer to know the proper postage beforehand. The existence of a customer account with a proper return address reduces the likelihood of a dead letter. Also, a special category of stamps may be used for automatic reply mail. By virtue of using an RFID tag, the mailed item's progress through the postal delivery system may be tracked from dispatch to delivery. | 10-30-2014 |
20140330687 | Revenue Sharing - A server provides data to software applications executing at mobile devices. Billing information for each wireless device is shared with a provider of a software application. The server formats usage information into a transaction record for the content provider. A customer of a network carrier is charged differently based upon a type of content accessed through the server. | 11-06-2014 |
20140337190 | Purchase Order Matching - An approach is provided for processing invoices that includes the use of a purchase order system to verify information on the invoices. Invoice image data that represents an invoice is received and one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data are obtained. The one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data are compared to purchase order data from a purchase order system. If the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data do not match the purchase order data from the purchase order system, then the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data are designated for special processing. If the one or more text fields represented in the invoice image data match the purchase order data from the purchase order system, then the invoice is designated as verified and the one or more text fields are transmitted to an accounting system for processing. | 11-13-2014 |
20140344123 | DYNAMICALLY MODIFYING WORKLOAD PATTERNS IN A CLOUD - A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for modifying a computing environment hosting one or more workload patterns. A computer system obtains a list of deployed workload patterns on a on a computing environment, wherein each workload pattern is configured to support a predefined workload. The computer system identifies an extension to be deployed on a selected pattern from the list of deployed patterns. The computer system deploys the extension on the selected pattern. The computer system informs a user of the computing environment of new billing information based on deployment of the extension. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344124 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344125 | LEARNER BILLING IN A MODULAR LEARNING SYSTEM - A modular learning system provides billing for learning users who have engaged in a variety of learning services in the modular learning system. For example the learning user may engage in learning application purchases, performances, learning facility access, tutor access, and learning tool access. The purchase of these varieties of learning services are used to provide various billing items for each type of learning service. The learning service purchases are consolidated and offset by prepaid learning services as well as modified by any applicable taxes. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344126 | ROLE BASED MODULAR REMITTANCES IN A MODULAR LEARNING SYSTEM - An apparatus and method are disclosed for managing modular remittances in a modular learning system. Learning applications are stored in the modular learning system, each associated with a service charge and a remitted user. The remitted user is also associated with a remittance cycle. The modular learning system receives a purchase request from a learning user specifying a learning application, and subtracts a service charge associated with the specified learning application from an account balance of the learning user to compute an updated balance. Based on the remittance cycle of the remitted user associated with the specified learning application, the modular learning system determines a time to remit the service charge to the remitted user. The modular learning system remits the service charge at the determined time, and displays the updated balance to the learning user. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344127 | NETWORK-BASED ELECTRONIC INVOICING SYSTEM WITH REVERSE INVOICING - A system and method for performing network-based electronic invoicing with reverse invoicing. An invoice creation screen is presented to a client user, through a client device connected via a network to an electronic invoicing system. The method includes accepting invoice data input by the client user via the invoice creation screen. The method further includes generating a first invoice document based on the invoice data input by the client user, the first invoice document including an invoice identifier and the amount payable. The first invoice document is presented to the client user on an invoice review screen which includes an actuator to post the first invoice document to an account of the vendor user. The first invoice document is presented to the vendor user on an invoice approval screen which includes actuators to approve the first invoice document or to contest the first invoice document. | 11-20-2014 |
20140351106 | BANDWIDTH METERING IN LARGE-SCALE NETWORKS - Methods and apparatus for bandwidth metering in large-scale networks are disclosed. Metadata for a network transmission involving a virtualized resource at a host of a provider network, including endpoint address information and a traffic metric, is determined at a metering component. The metadata is aggregated at another metering component and provided to a traffic classification node. The traffic classification node generates a categorized usage record for the network transmission, based at least in part on network topology information associated with the provider network. The categorized usage record is used to determine a billing amount for the network transmission. | 11-27-2014 |
20140351107 | MANAGEMENT OF A REMOTE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTION BATTERY SYSTEM - Described embodiments include a battery manager system and a method. The battery manager system includes an asset database that includes records related to at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems and a management criteria respectively assigned to each rechargeable traction battery pack system. The system includes a compliance module configured to evaluate a fraction battery pack status report pertaining to an identified rechargeable traction battery pack system of the at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems (hereafter “the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system”), the evaluation with respect to the management criteria assigned to the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system. The system includes a manager module configured to generate a management instruction responsive to the evaluation of the battery status report. The system includes a communication system configured to communicate with the identified rechargeable traction battery pack system. | 11-27-2014 |
20140351108 | RENEWABLE ENERGY SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING MODEL - A renewable energy sponsorship and funding model may allow an entity (“sponsor”) to sponsor creation and/or operation of a renewable energy source without necessarily receiving power directly from the renewable energy source. The sponsor may engage in a contract for differences (CFD) with the renewable energy source through a service provider. The sponsor may periodically make payments or receive payments resulting from the differences determined under the CFD. The amounts of the differences are variable based at least on the production of renewable energy by the renewable energy source and the wholesale market rates used in the purchase of power produced by the renewable energy source. These variances may be difficult to accommodate in a financial budget implemented by the sponsor. Various techniques and systems are disclosed to offset and/or smooth these variances, including making purchases on a wholesale spot market, using a credit facility, and/or creating a forward contract. | 11-27-2014 |
20140358749 | Cross-Reference Electric Vehicle Charge Data for Billing - Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communicative connections between a telematics unit in a vehicle and a telematics service provider (TSP) to transmit information pertaining to a vehicle charging event from the vehicle to the TSP. Implementations further contemplate comparing such with information independently furnished to the TSP by a charge station or a communication service associated with a charge station. The present invention facilitates the charging of electric vehicles at charging stations by reducing the inconvenience associated with paying for the electrical power obtained from the charging station. By transferring the billing functions to a TSP, implementations of the present invention also enable charging stations to do away with equipment required for billing customers at the point of sale and thereby limit the costs of building such charging stations. | 12-04-2014 |
20140358750 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONSOLIDATING AND STANDARDIZING BILLING EVENT DATA - A computer-implemented method for consolidating and standardizing billing event data is implemented by a computing device coupled to a memory device. The method includes polling a plurality of billing event tables for a pending billing event, extracting billing event data associated with the pending billing event from at least one of the billing event tables, generating a billing output file based upon at least a portion of the billing event data, selecting a billing system from the plurality of billing systems based upon the billing event data, and routing the billing output file to the selected billing system. | 12-04-2014 |
20140358751 | Utility Cost Engine - A utility cost engine for creating a contract cost template for a utility contract having a plurality of billing features, is disclosed. The cost engine preferably comprises a computer system including a display with a graphic user interface, and a design tool accessible by the computer system by a user via the interface and having stored therein a plurality of pre-programmed entities used to calculate cost. A user accesses the design tool from the computer system and selects a plurality of graphically displayed entities based on corresponding contract billing features, adding each selected entity to a base to form a contract template, and saving the formed template. Other uses for the engine such as utility monitoring and management, cost and billing verification, building automation, and informational display (e.g., building dashboard) are also disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
20140365349 | System and Method for Media-Centric and Monetizable Social Networking - A method and system connects brands, users and communities via socially shared content elements that take the form of, for example, words, pictures/images, videos and/or audio objects. The method creates a social media engagement and distribution capability of dynamic, interactive impressions linking users to users and users to brands around shared “day in the life” moments. The spectrum of reach and range of content types combined with user daily lives creates a ubiquitous new web medium of social content. The user experience created by this method and system creates a sustainable stickiness for members, capturing, creating, sharing and responding to each other interactively in any communication format, at any time, in any place and for any reason. | 12-11-2014 |
20140372267 | OFFER BASED PROVISION OF FEE BASED NETWORK ACCESS - Offer based provision of fee based network access is presented herein. An access component can provide a complementary access of first content of a network to a device without a per-access fee to a user account associated with the device. A monitor component can receive, from the device, a request for an alternate access of second content of the network that is different from the first content. The access component, based on a characteristic associated with the network determined to satisfy a defined condition with respect to the alternate access, can send an offer directed to the device for purchase of the alternate access with the per-access fee to the user account. | 12-18-2014 |
20140379539 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING BILLING DATA OF A COMPOSITE CLOUD SERVICE - The technique relates to a system and method for generating billing data of a composite cloud service. The technique tracks and meters manual service usage along with the infrastructure and software usage to generate billing data for the composite cloud service. The technique involves receiving a user request for the composite cloud service. After receiving the user request, one or more infrastructure, software and manual resources required to fulfill the user request are provisioned. Thereafter, the consumption of the one or more infrastructure, software and manual resources in real time to fulfill the user request is measured based on a predefined monitoring metrics. Finally, billing data for the composite cloud service is generated based on the measured consumption data of the one or more infrastructure, software and manual resources, a predefined chargeback model and a predefined billing policy. | 12-25-2014 |
20150012398 | CREDIT OPTIMIZATION TO MINIMIZE LATENCY - Embodiments of systems and methods are described for reducing latency during invoice generation involving credit distribution. In some implementations, references to invoice line items are sorted by supplemental charge rate and credits are applied to the invoice line items in decreasing supplemental charge rate order. An invoice is generated that includes the invoice line items and associated credits. The process of generating applying the credits is optimized to minimize latency and to provide the greatest financial benefit to the user. | 01-08-2015 |
20150012399 | System and Method for Enhanced Access and Control for Modification of Auto-Learned Conflict Resolution and Related Rule and Value Replacements - Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure allow the management of rules used for the automatic processing and/or resolution of conflicts, particularly in billing systems and applications applying edits to database records from multiple accounting software applications. | 01-08-2015 |
20150019393 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit, a calculator, and an output unit. The obtaining unit obtains fee information indicating a fee of a service used by multiple users. The calculator calculates a distributed price to be charged to each of the multiple users if the fee indicated by the fee information obtained by the obtaining unit is distributed among the multiple users. The output unit outputs data indicating distributed prices calculated by the calculator and items of identification information for identifying the multiple users to which the distributed prices are charged. | 01-15-2015 |
20150026022 | BILLING DEVICE AND PROCESSING METHOD - A billing device and processing method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) collecting a billing log according to performing a biz template at the business logic processing unit, ii) verifying validity of the collected billing log, iii) performing a standardizing process on the verified billing log, iv) generating billing data by applying a predetermined billing policy according to the standardized billing log, v) generating a billing file (MDR) to transmit to a billing legacy system of a mobile communication system using the generated billing data and vi) transmitting the generated billing file (MDR) to the billing legacy system. | 01-22-2015 |
20150039480 | DETECTING AND FIXING PROBLEM VIDEO ACCOUNTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS - A computer device may include logic configured to manage an account creation process for customers, wherein the account creation process includes creating a DVD account in a DVD system, creating a digital account in a digital system, and creating a billing account in a billing system and manage a subscription generation process for the customers, wherein the subscription generation process includes associated a subscription with the DVD account, associating the subscription with the digital account, and associating the subscription with the billing account. The logic may be further configured to detect a broken account generated by the account creation process and fix the detected broken account in response to detecting the broken account; and detect a broken subscription generated by the subscription generation process and fix the detected broken subscription in response to detecting the broken subscription. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039481 | SERVICE UTILIZATION BROWSER PLUG-IN - A method of using a data monitoring service may include transmitting a request for subscriber billing status information; in response to the request, receiving the subscriber billing status information in a response message; formatting a status message based in part on the received subscriber billing status information, the status message including an estimated cost for a billing cycle of the subscriber; and presenting the status message in a network application. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039482 | CONTROL APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - In the first state in which the position of an external device is included in the first area where a power supply unit executes wireless power supply and is included in the second area wider than the first area where a communication portion performs communication, the power supply unit is controlled to execute wireless power supply. It is determined whether the state of the external device has transited from the first state to the second state in which the position of the external device is included in the second area and is outside the first area. If it is determined that the state has transited from the first state to the second state, information based on the power supply executed in the first state is communicated with the external device via the communication portion. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039483 | System and Method for the Automated Handling of Documents Related to Private Investigations - Disclosed is a system and method for generating, distributing, and accessing private investigation related documents. The system is operated by a host and utilized by a number of different entities that are involved in preparing and distributing private investigated related documents. The system also permits the automated invoicing and billing of private investigation related activities. The archiving of data related to private investigations can also be carried out by the present system. In still yet other embodiments, the system can permit real time editing of reports, the generation of reports via voice recognition, as well as access to streaming broadcasts. Other embodiments permit photographs and/or maps to be embedded into private investigation related reports. | 02-05-2015 |
20150046306 | System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid - Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. | 02-12-2015 |
20150052034 | SILENT SMS TRIGGERING FOR MOBILE BILLING AT A MERCHANT SERVER - The invention provides a method of processing transaction with at least one merchant computer, including receiving, with the at least one merchant computer, a confirmation of a purchase from a consumer device, triggering, with the at least one merchant computer, in response to the confirmation of the purchase, a silent text message to the consumer device, wherein a purchasing unit on the consumer device responds to the silent text message by sending a text message with a unique transaction ID to a short code of a billing server via a carrier server to the billing server and receiving, with the at least one merchant computer, in response to triggering the silent text message, a callback notification from the billing server with the transaction ID. | 02-19-2015 |
20150066717 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SERVICE OFFERING METERING - Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private. | 03-05-2015 |
20150066718 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A TENANT INVOICE BASED ON SOFTWARE DEFINED CLOUD USAGE - Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private. | 03-05-2015 |
20150073955 | MANAGEMENT INTERFACE FOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS - According to some aspects, a method of providing access to and presenting information from a third-party business management software system, the third-party business management software system comprising a database storing customer data for a plurality of customers is provided. The method comprises providing an interface for display on a user computer, the interface accessible via an internet browser coupled to a network, receiving input from a user via the interface identifying a customer from the plurality of customers, responsive to the input from the user, accessing the third-party business management software system to obtain customer data associated with the identified customer, and presenting the customer data to the user via the interface in a single view. Some aspects include a system comprising at least one application computer for performing the above method. | 03-12-2015 |
20150081488 | MARKETING INCLUSION LIST MANIPULATION - A system may include a service data warehouse configured to execute an inclusion list module to perform operations including receiving opt-out data from a billing system of a subscriber network, the opt-out data associated with use of subscriber information by at least one third-party information service, receiving an eligible subscriber list from an enterprise data warehouse of the subscriber network; and generating a customer inclusion list from the eligible subscriber list and the opt-out data, the customer inclusion list including a listing of subscribers identifiers of subscribers of the subscriber network who have opted into use of the at least one third-party information service of the subscriber network. The system may further include a notification system configured to provide privacy notices to subscribers, and automatically opt the subscribers in or out of inclusion on the customer inclusion list based on subscriber receipt of the privacy notices. | 03-19-2015 |
20150081489 | TIERED CHARGING ALTERATION - A system determines a tiered charging rule with at least one step. Each step defines a quantity entry point and exit point for the step and defines an alteration rule to be applied to charges falling within the step. The system determines a quantity usage range based on usage related to a billing event. The system range intersects each step range with the quantity usage range to determine applicable steps for the quantity usage range. For each applicable step, the system calculates a step charge based on the length of the applicable step range and a base per unit charge rate and applies an alteration to the step charge based on the corresponding alteration rule for the step. | 03-19-2015 |
20150088709 | BILL PAYMENT BY IMAGE RECOGNITION - Methods and systems for facilitating bill payment are described. A user is able to take a picture of a paper bill and have it paid. A service provider receives the image of the bill and recognizes it as a bill payment image. Relevant payment details such as the customer account number, payment amount, and the payee are extracted from the bill. The service provider determines whether these payment details are correct based on a user calendar or a location of a user device. The service provider can display these payment details to the user, and receive authorization to make the payment. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088710 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTENT AND SERVICES ON A NETWORK SYSTEM - Systems and methods for managing and providing content and services on a network system. Aspects of the invention include location-based determination of network content and services that may be provided to client computers. Other aspects of the invention include authorization and authentication components that determine access rights of client computers. Additional aspects include systems and methods for redirecting client computers to different network content. The disclosed systems and methods may be used in numerous network system applications. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088711 | TEXT-TO-PAY FOR A NEW SUBSCRIPTION - A code is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a code request text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the code request text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a code redemption text message to the user device including the code and a link to a redemption page of a website of a subscription server. The subscription server processes redemption to a code and transmits an account set up page to the user device. | 03-26-2015 |
20150120520 | AGGREGATED BILLING FOR APPLICATION-BASED NETWORK ACCESS AND CONTENT CONSUMPTION - Providing for aggregate billing related to provisioning network access and network content to an application or device is described herein. By way of example, the application or device (e.g., a client, . . . ) can be provided network access at a discounted rate to access content of content provider. The network access can be general access, or can be limited access to one or more web-pages, domains, hosts, etc. in various embodiments. Charges for content consumed by the client can be an aggregated charge that includes charges for the content and charges for the network access. In various embodiments, network access can facilitate a relatively persistent connection to a network, with network access charges aggregated into charges for consumption of online content or utilization of online services, or vice versa. | 04-30-2015 |
20150127503 | MERCHANT MANAGED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEXT-TO-PAY SUBSCRIPTIONS AT A BILLING SERVER - A subscription identifier is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a subscription identifier text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the subscription identifier text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a renewal notification text message to the subscription server. The subscription server updates an account having the subscription identifier to reflect a new expiration. | 05-07-2015 |
20150149335 | COMMON AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING SYSTEM HAVING BILLING CALCULATION FUNCTION - Provided is a common air conditioner operating system having a billing calculation function, including: at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, at least one heat transfer unit, and a system operating apparatus configured to entirely control the above units, and calculate billing corresponding to use energy of each indoor unit, wherein the system operating apparatus sums a first amount obtained by multiplying a summed amount of a total heat production cost and a total heat transfer cost by a ratio of corresponding indoor unit supply heat s | 05-28-2015 |
20150294380 | AUTOMATIC BILL ISSUING SYSTEM - This is an automatic bill issuing system capable of automatically issuing a bill to a user, accepting an application for a formal contract from the user, and enabling the user to use the SaaS service upon issuing the bill of the SaaS service. It includes: a service-selection/number-selection processing unit | 10-15-2015 |
20150310511 | ENSURING THE ACCURATENESS AND CURRENTNESS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SUBMITTER OF AN ELECTRONIC INVOICE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF A MATTER USING TENTATIVE ELECTONIC INVOICE SUBMISSION - A facility for collecting specified information in conjunction with the submission of an invoice by submitter is described. The facility provides a mechanism usable by the submitter to provide the specified information. When the facility receives the invoice from the submitter, the facility makes the invoice available for payment only after the mechanism has been used by the submitter to provide the specified information. | 10-29-2015 |
20150310512 | Method and Apparatus for Enabling Concurrent Rating During a Re-Rating Operation - The present disclosure provides for enabling concurrent rating during a re-rating operation. A first notification is received. The first notification indicates that a re-rating process, which comprises a modification to a customer state for a customer service account, has been initiated for the customer service account. A concurrent usage request is received while the re-rating process is ongoing. The concurrent usage request comprises a request to perform a transaction affecting the customer service account. The concurrent usage request is then processed. | 10-29-2015 |
20150317704 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION - A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliance of a first type corresponding to the first user ID; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the difference value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the display data. | 11-05-2015 |
20150317705 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION - A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage corresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of a first electric home appliance among electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating display data indicating that the differential value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data to an information terminal device corresponding to the first user ID. | 11-05-2015 |
20150321570 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING CONTROL SYSTEM - An electric vehicle charging control system includes a battery for operating the electric vehicle that is charged by a charging connection to a charging station. A user interface is associated with the electric vehicle and includes a display and a user input device. A communication system communicates with the charging station. The communication system receives a congestion signal from the charging station when a second electric vehicle is waiting for charging by the charging station. After the congestion signal is received, the user interface prompts an operator of the electric vehicle that the second electric vehicle is waiting for charging by the charging station. | 11-12-2015 |
20150324873 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSITIONING CUSTOMERS FROM ONE SERVICE TO ANOTHER SERVICE - An instruction is transmitted from an end user to a first customer. The instruction indicates that end user desires to receive correspondences in a first format. A message is transmitted from the first customer to a data-processing system. The data-processing system updates its memory such that first customer is now subscribed to a service for sending correspondences to the end user in the first format. Additionally, the data-processing system automatically and dynamically performs a determination to establish whether the end user is associated with other customers. Based on the determination, a message is transmitted to a second customer in an attempt to transition the second customer from one service to another service. In response, the data-processing system receives a message from the second customer and updates its memory such that second customer is now subscribed to the service for sending correspondences to the end user in the first format. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326451 | NETWORK-AS-A-SERVICE ARCHITECTURE - A system may receive order information that may include information identifying a network service, associated with a service provider network, and a service location associated with the network service. The system may determine context information based on the order information that may include information associated with providing the network service to the service location via the service provider network. The system may generate a service order based on the context information. The system may create a virtual network function (VNF) based on the service request. The VNF may be created such that the VNF operates on a computing device associated with the system, and may be configured to provide the network service. The system may insert the VNF into the service provider network to cause the network service to be provided to the service location. The VNF may interact with a physical device of the service provider network. | 11-12-2015 |
20150363844 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN A NETWORK OF BUSINESSES - A method for facilitating transactions between a network of businesses includes determining, for a given time period, a first invoice directed from a first business to a second business, and a second invoice directed from the second business to the first business. The method further includes aggregating the first and second invoices to determine a net payment needed to pay both the first invoice and the second invoice. The net payment is transferred between the first business and the second business. The method further includes updating an accounting platform for each of the first business and the second business to indicate that the first invoice and the second invoice have been paid. | 12-17-2015 |
20150363896 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR OPENING AND CLOSING GAS STOPCOCK - A communication terminal receives acceptance data for gas cock opening created by a server, performs selection based on the received acceptance data, reads a two-dimensional barcode, and compares two-dimensional barcode data and target data stored in a storage device of the communication terminal; the sever sends the communication terminal a gas inspection item in which the target data is reflected; the communication terminal receives the inspection item in which the target data is reflected, checks an inspection result item created for the inspection item, and sends the checked inspection result item to the server; and the server gives permission for the gas cock opening based on the sent inspection result item, and sends a result of the permission to the communication terminal. | 12-17-2015 |
20150369647 | Method and Apparatus for Metering in Liquid Distribution System - A system for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed from a container includes a satellite or wireless uplink to a billing system. The system measures the liquid dispensed from a container using a distance sensor such as an ultrasonic, sonar, or radar transducer. The system may include a display and/or printer capable of outputting liquid usage data or tickets, invoices, or receipts. The system may be included on a flatbed truck used to deliver or retrieve the container. | 12-24-2015 |
20150371293 | Systems and Methods for Monitoring and Valuating Transactions for Document Processes - A method of charging a customer for using a software program product that processes one or more documents that includes receiving, by a tracking server from at least one client application, information relating to a processing of a document using the software program product; determining if the information indicates a successful processing of the document; and upon positive determination, charging the customer with an amount for the successful processing of the document using the software program product. | 12-24-2015 |
20150371294 | DISCRETE CLIENT BILLING - A method for discrete client billing is provided. In this method, a request to use network resources a network of an entity may be received. The action may be at least one of access, read, write, update, create, delete and/or store the file, and the network usage may be an expense to the entity. A first client associated with the network use request is identified. A total amount of network usage being performed for the first client during a predetermined cycle may be determined. A pro rata share of network usage for the first client during the cycle may be is determined based on a ratio of the total amount of network usage being performed for the first client during the cycle over a total amount of network usage being used by the entity during the cycle. | 12-24-2015 |
20150378964 | Embedded Document Within an Application - Data structures, methods, program products and systems for creating and executing an executable file for the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) where the file is capable of causing presentation of a document embedded in the file on a BREW system. | 12-31-2015 |
20160012497 | AUTOMATED DETERMINATION OF RETURN ENVELOPE OMISSION OR INCLUSION | 01-14-2016 |
20160019509 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATING EXPENSE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION - Methods and systems for communicating expense management information between an expense management system and a mobile device are provided. The methods and systems include one or more applications for a mobile device, such as mobile phone, that enable a user, such as an expense manager for an entity such as a business entity or other organization, to use their mobile device to communicate and exchange data with an expense management system, such as a management system for expenses associated with a provider of products and/or services to the entity. The methods and systems enable an expense manager to review and approve invoices, generate graphics to review usage or other data, and conduct data searches relative to the expenses being managed. | 01-21-2016 |
20160027075 | LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH ALL-IN SPOT RATE PRICING - Systems and methods for performing all-in spot rate pricing with a logistics management system are provided. Embodiments may include receiving, via an interface that includes spot rate information, an instruction to produce a spot rate for an air waybill that includes a transportation charge and a plurality of other charges. Embodiments may also include calculating the spot rate that includes the transportation charge and the plurality of other charges to obtain a calculated all-in spot rate. Some embodiments may further include outputting an air waybill that is generated to include at least the calculated all-in spot rate. | 01-28-2016 |
20160042329 | Account Management System and Method - A fund allocation management system and method of managing prepaid debit cards that allows customers to allocate funds to pay monthly bills, reoccurring expenses, or save for special purchases. More specifically, this fund allocation management system optionally calculates monthly expenses and allows customers to set certain funds aside for known expenses. Examples of customers that may benefit from this type of card and/or service includes customers using traditional bank cards as well as customers who may not qualify for traditional bank accounts. The customers can deposit funds into the prepaid cards and use it for general expenses. | 02-11-2016 |
20160042332 | CHEMICALLY HEATED HOT EMITTER GENERATOR SYSTEM - The technical field includes machine, manufacture, process, and product produced thereby, as well as necessary intermediates, which pertain to power sources, units thereof, computer systems used to facilitate operation of one or more power sources. | 02-11-2016 |
20160055463 | INVOICING SYSTEM - A method to facilitate invoicing for transactions established utilizing a network-based transaction system includes supporting establishment of transactions between a plurality of entities in the network-based transaction system, and identifying as part of an invoice generation process, a plurality of transactions to which a first entity is a party. The method further includes identifying first and second transactions from the plurality of transactions that satisfy combinable criteria, and generating an invoice for at least the first and second transactions that satisfy the combinable criteria. The method can also be implemented in a system and on a machine-readable medium. | 02-25-2016 |
20160055552 | GENERATING METHOD, VERIFYING METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC BILL WITH ANTI-FAKE TWO DIMENSION (2D) CODE AND SYSTEM FOR SAME - The present invention relates to methods for generating and verifying an electronic bill with an anti-counterfeiting two-dimensional code and systems of the same. The method of generating an electronic bill with an anti-counterfeiting two-dimensional code of the present invention comprises reading an original electronic bill picture and generating a temporary electronic bill picture with a determined region for embedding two-dimensional code; calculating digest data for the temporary electronic bill picture by using an information digest algorithm and encrypting the obtained digest data to generate an anti-counterfeiting two-dimensional code; and embedding the anti-counterfeiting two-dimensional code into said region of the original electronic bill picture to obtain an electronic bill with the anti-counterfeiting two-dimensional code. Using the present invention can effectively avoid the electronic bill being tampered and forged, and also can greatly enhancing style diversification and practicability of the electronic bill. | 02-25-2016 |
20160063461 | Applied Essentia Dunning - Dunning a debtor according to an essentia instance of the debtor. Debtor data of the debtor is received from a creditor. The debtor is mapped to an essentia to create an essentia instance for the debtor based on debtor characteristic variables identified by the debtor data and essentia characteristic variables identified by essentia data. Essentia specific dunning decisions corresponding to the essentia to apply when dunning the debtor are determined. The debtor is dunned according to the essentia specific dunning decisions. | 03-03-2016 |
20160098669 | TECHNIQUES FOR PROCESSING CUSTOMER SERVICE TRANSACTIONS AT CUSTOMER SITE USING MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - Techniques are described for facilitating delivery and adjustments of customer orders at a customer delivery site. A delivery courier is assigned a mobile field computing device for facilitating delivery and order adjustments of customer orders associated with that courier's delivery route. The mobile field computing device includes memory for storing customer order history data and delivery route data downloaded from a server system. The delivery route data stored in the mobile field computing device may be used by the delivery courier to facilitate delivery of the customer orders. Further, the delivery courier may use the mobile field computing device to process a variety of different order adjustment transactions at a customer delivery site. | 04-07-2016 |
20160098769 | System and Method for Providing Centralized Usage and Billing Information - A client-side cloud storage instance accesses a shared-access storage to retrieve a centralized usage and billing report relating to services provided by a plurality of service providers, including a cloud storage solution provider and one or more third party service providers. The centralized usage and billing report is automatically and periodically generated based on billing policy information received by the shared-access storage from the one or more third party services provider, and contains usage and/or billing information corresponding to services provided by both the cloud storage solution provider and by the one or more third party storage services providers. | 04-07-2016 |
20160104138 | DIRECT PROVISION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTRUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH AGGREGATED PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS - Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for directly providing photovoltaic instruments associated with aggregated photovoltaic installations to consumers. | 04-14-2016 |
20160117656 | DATA BATCH PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A computer system receives, from a client device, a virtual bill request including user identification information of a user associated with the client device and then activates a virtual bill and associates the virtual bill with the client device, the virtual bill having a predefined effective time period. After receiving data corresponding to one or more items added to the virtual bill within the predefined effective time period through respective close proximity data communication between the client device and one or more respective terminals, the computer system determines a value based on the data corresponding to the one or more items and sends a verification request to the client device. Upon receipt of verification information responsive to the verification request, the computer system initiates a transfer of the value from an account associated with the user in accordance with a determination that the verification information is valid. | 04-28-2016 |
20160125408 | DYNAMIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE - A dynamic personalizable automated finance management system that provides a financial management platform that enables users to easily generate a plurality of customized rules or conditions associated with one or more accounts thereby creating account plans that intelligently and passively execute the transfer of funds among accounts. The rules with a plan are able to define if, how much, when and where to transfer money to and from the accounts based on user entered criteria or triggers upon which the rules/conditions are based. | 05-05-2016 |
20160125488 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO ALLOCATE PHYSICAL NETWORK COST TO TENANTS OF A DATA CENTER - Systems and methods of allocating network cost of a physical data center to data center tenants are disclosed. In one aspect, the systems and methods compute a total cost of the physical data center devices and networks and other operational expenditures over a period of time. The systems and methods compute local network and Internet utilization for each VM over the full period. Network utilization is computed for each VM as a fraction of the total cost. The cost allocated to each tenant is computed as a sum of the total cost of all VMs used by the tenant. | 05-05-2016 |
20160140528 | Client Entry and Maintenance System for Timekeeping and Billing forProfessional Services System and Method - The present invention consists of an improved billing system for professional companies and firms with enhanced handing of all client data including names, addresses, websites, phone numbers, fax numbers and the like. The present invention can also track mergers and acquisitions of clients, write offs, taxing structure for bills, and it may display client data according to the security level or staff function of the person attempting to access the data. It can provide mass discounts on bills, and store various client fee arrangements, which are linked to the client data. In many ways the efficient handling of numerous fields of client data information is provided. | 05-19-2016 |
20160140630 | A WIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A WIP management system is disclosed that comprises a data storage device arranged to store work in progress (WIP) data indicative of work in progress financial amounts associated with at least one person, and a filter arranged to facilitate filtering of the WIP data according to received criteria so as to produce filtered WIP data. The system is arranged to facilitate display of filtered WIP information indicative of the filtered WIP data, to facilitate selection by a user of WIP from the filtered WIP information and to instigate invoice processing based on the selected WIP. A corresponding method of managing WIP is also disclosed. | 05-19-2016 |
20160171568 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING SMART CONTAINERS | 06-16-2016 |
20160171631 | CONTENT ACCESS MANAGEMENT IN A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM FOR EXTERNALLY STORED CONTENT | 06-16-2016 |
20160189067 | APPLICATION-BASED COMMERCIAL GROUND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A management system for a Permitting Authority (PA) or its appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Provider activity through the ABCT-Driver's mobile device, the ABCT-Provider's app, the ABCT-Provider's computer systems, and the PA's electronically-enabled geo-fence, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. Each mobile communication device associated with an ABCT-Vehicle continually transmits information to an ABCT-Provider Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) System associated with an ABCT-Provider when an application on the mobile communication device is active. The information transmitted by the mobile communication device enables the ABCT-Provider ICT System to identify and monitor the ABCT-Driver's identity, the vehicle information, the geographic locus, and/or the ABCT-Vehicle's activity data. | 06-30-2016 |
20160198625 | Management System And Method For Managing Soil Treatment Systems | 07-14-2016 |
20160203528 | METHOD AND SYSTEM THAT ALLOCATES VIRTUAL NETWORK COST IN A SOFTWARE-DEFINED DATA CENTER | 07-14-2016 |
20160203529 | Billing Method for Lighting Equipment | 07-14-2016 |
20160203531 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INFORMATION PROCESSING AND ACCESS CONTROL | 07-14-2016 |
20160253642 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD | 09-01-2016 |