Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080201271 | Price Optimization System and Process for Recommending Product Price Changes to a User Based on Unit Size, Price and Margin - Disclosed is a market-based software system that will help user-retailers manage price and inventories more effectively. The system will take advantage of available price and sales data to provide pricing recommendations that will achieve a retail user's objectives. The system will offer a solution that will allow for pricing improvement shortly after installation by utilizing data that is readily available. The system will recommend price changes that help a user achieve specified objectives such as contribution, sales volume, desired margins, and the like. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201272 | Price Optimization System and Process for Recommending Product Price Changes to a User Based on Analytic Modules Calculating Price Recommendations Independently - Disclosed is a market-based software system that will help user-retailers manage price and inventories more effectively. The system will take advantage of available price and sales data to provide pricing recommendations that will achieve a retail user's objectives. The system will offer a solution that will allow for pricing improvement shortly after installation by utilizing data that is readily available. The system will recommend price changes that help a user achieve specified objectives such as contribution, sales volume, desired margins, and the like. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201273 | Price Optimization System and Process for Recommending Product Price Changes to a User Based on Numerical Endings of Prices - Disclosed is a market-based software system that will help user-retailers manage price and inventories more effectively. The system will take advantage of available price and sales data to provide pricing recommendations that will achieve a retail user's objectives. The system will offer a solution that will allow for pricing improvement shortly after installation by utilizing data that is readily available. The system will recommend price changes that help a user achieve specified objectives such as contribution, sales volume, desired margins, and the like. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201274 | System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service - A method and system for computing the price for the transportation of goods on a route are provided where the route has at a first segment and a second segment adjacent the first segment. The goods are transported on the first segment by a mode of transportation other than a train and are transported on the second segment by a train. A computer is caused to deliver information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information conveying one or more characteristics of the first segment. The computer is also caused to deliver information to the user prompting the user to enter at the computer information conveying one or more characteristics of the second segment. A price for the transportation of the goods on the route is then computed at least in part on the basis of the characteristics of the first segment entered by the user and the characteristics of the second segment entered by the user. | 08-21-2008 |
20080208770 | Method and System for Data Metering - A method and system for tracking the type and amount of data processed by a computer system. In one embodiment, a logging system tracks data processed by a conversion system so that differential billing of customers can be performed based on the type of data and the quality of service required to provide that data. The logging system is integrated as part of the conversion system that converts the data from a source format into a target format. As the data is converted by the conversion routines, the logging system logs the amount of data that is converted by the conversion routines. Thus, the logging system is able to track the data at each conversion routine, such as each level of a communications protocol. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208771 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING RECYCLING FEES - A system for providing a fee associated with a location for an ordered object. In response to receiving an order for an object from a customer that includes a location for where to ship the object, it is determined whether the location requires a fee for the object. The fee for the object for the location is requested from a fee service in response to determining that the location does require the fee for the object. The fee for the object for the location is received from the fee service. The fee for the object for the location is added to a customer price and a first customer response. Then, the first customer response that includes the fee for the object for the location is sent to the customer. | 08-28-2008 |
20080215504 | Revenue Allocation in a Network Environment - The present invention relates to a search engine for providing a search result responsive to a search query received from a user and for allocating revenue generated from one or more advertisements included with the search result to the authors of the content that makes up the search result. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215505 | Car wash communication, fund transfer, control system and method - A method of controlling one or more self service vacuums, dispensers, fragrance machines, shampoo machines, cleaning systems or car wash systems comprising a radio frequency transceiver or module. This method incorporates an RF or radio frequency receiver, transmitter or transceiver. The system has the capability of configuring the various dispensing systems to change pricing and operation. Processing of the various payment methods include coin, currency, credit card, debit card gift, card, fleet card, token, flash memory, electronic payment, special keys, scan cards as well as numerous other payment means. One embodiment is performed over a secure RF system. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215506 | Systems and methods for a community-based e-consultant brokerage - The present invention relates to systems and methods for requesting, receiving, providing, and paying for services over the internet, through IM and VoIP applications, and other communication means. According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, systems are provided that allow a customer to purchase and receive the services of a consultant. More particularly, such systems generally comprise (i) an instant messaging (IM) application, which is capable of connecting a customer to a consultant; (ii) an IM plugin, wherein the IM plugin is capable of detecting a message from the customer to the consultant sent through the IM application; and (iii) a server, wherein the server is capable of communicating with and receiving input from the IM plugin, wherein such input is processed by the server to validate the customer and instruct the IM plugin to connect the customer with the consultant through the IM application. The systems and methods of the present invention allow consultants to provide “micro-consulting” type services through IM applications and VoIP connections, whereby the consultants may be compensated for such services based on the length of the consulting session. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215507 | Dynamic pricing of items based on category with which the item is associated - A method comprises grouping a plurality of items into a first group for purposes of aggregately pricing each of the plurality of items, sending a first price of a first and a second of the plurality of items in the first group for sale from a processor to one or more clients over a network, determining if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the first or second item at the first price from one or more of the clients, pricing the first and second of the plurality of items in the first group at a second price with the processor, the second price being lower than the first, and sending the second price over the network to one or more clients. | 09-04-2008 |
20080228667 | MULTI-COLOR BILLING PROCESS - Embodiments herein include a method that begins by receiving a print job for a customer from an intermediary program such as a print driver. The print job comprises instructions to print a document for the customer and includes, for example, data and print characteristics. The method then evaluates the colorspace of each page of the print job to determine whether any multi-color items are included within the print job. The method ignores classifications of the print job as either a multi-color print job (e.g., color print job) or a single color print job (e.g., black and white) from the print driver and, instead, classifies the print job as either a multi-color print job or a single color print job based only on whether the multi-color items are included within the print job. Then, the method provides the billing information for the customer to an appropriate entity that bills the customer. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228668 | SYSTEM FOR SETTING SPECIAL WHOLESALE PRICING FOR RESELLERS - A system for calculating a special wholesale pricing between a wholesaler and a reseller for a transaction between the reseller and an end-user. A wholesale discount pricing system is provided that comprises: a system for inputting a special pricing request from a reseller, wherein the special pricing request includes a product identifier and an end-user discount the reseller intends on applying to the transaction with the end-user; a product mapping system that maps the product identifier to a set of pricing parameters; and a calculation system that calculates the special wholesale pricing based on the set of pricing parameters and the inputted end-user discount. | 09-18-2008 |
20080235155 | Determining a Price Premium for a Project - In certain embodiments, a method for determining a price premium for a project includes accessing project information that includes values for one or more parameters of a project. The method further includes determining from the project information a project duration for the project, a time value of money for the project, a variability for the project, and an expected project price. A price premium for the project is generated according to the project duration, the time value of money, the variability value, and the expected project price, using an option-pricing mathematical model for financial instruments. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235156 | Color Coded Price Indicators - Create tiered price increments for goods and/or services, including information services, and communicate the tiered prices to potential customers through the use of color. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235157 | Method, System and Program Product for a Where-Used Costing Analysis - A method, system and program product for allowing an end user of a costing process to analyze assemblies in a manufacturing process which use common technology or parts. A computer database is maintained for storing bills of materials for manufacturing assemblies. A part is selected which is common to one or more manufacturing assemblies. Using where-used cost logic, the where-used cost of the selected part in the bills of materials is determined to provide the cost of the selected part where used in said manufacturing assemblies. The where-used costs are provided to the user for approval. The bills of materials are updated in the database with approved where-used costs of the selected part. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235158 | Processor, system and method for accommodating high priority print jobs - Disclosed herein is a production planning processor comprising an admissions control module in communication with a queue management module, the admissions control module calculating a proposed profit for expedited handling of a new print job, the queue management module determining a revised print job queue based upon data received from the admissions control module. A corresponding method of processing print jobs is also disclosed, along with a system and a method for determining the profitability of accommodating a rush print job. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235159 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRICING AND CAPACITY PLANNING UNDER COMPETITION, IN ON DEMAND E-COMMERCE SYSTEMS WITH QUALITY-OF-SERVICE (QOS) GUARANTEES - There are provided an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product for joint determination of price and capacity. The apparatus includes a price and capacity determination device for jointly determining a price and a capacity for a given item offered for sale by a given e-retailer, based at least upon market competition. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235160 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT PRICING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION UNDER SERVICE-LEVEL AGREEMENT - There are provided an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product for joint determination of price and resource allocation. The apparatus includes a price and resource allocation determination device for jointly determining a price and a resource allocation for a given item or service offered for use or sale by a given e-retailer to optimize a pre-specified objective for the given e-retailer. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243723 | SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR DETERMINING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - Systems and processes may receive and analyze billing information and/or business expenditures to determine costs associated with jobs corresponding to an internal development of software for internal use. The billing information and/or business expenditures may be analyzed according to accounting rules. Capitalizable costs and/or expenses may be determined based on business information and/or business expenses. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243724 | SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR DETERMINING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - Systems and processes may receive and analyze billing information and/or business expenditures to determine costs associated with jobs corresponding to an internal development of software for internal use. The billing information and/or business expenditures may be analyzed according to accounting rules. Capitalizable costs and/or expenses may be determined based on business information and/or business expenses. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243725 | Systems And Methods For Tracking State-Based Transactions - Systems and methods track state-based transactions. Event tokens from devices of one or more networks are collected, formatted, normalized and stored in association with state-based transactions. Each of the transaction instances, and the associated event tokens, is processed using transaction definitions and zero, one or more actions are performed in association with the transaction instance. Missing event may be determined for each incomplete transaction based upon the transaction definitions. Problems across multiple networks may be diagnosed by determining quality of service for each of the transactions. Transactions between peering networks may be settled by monetizing the state-based transactions and generating billing information based upon the monetized state-based transactions. Abnormal behavior within an enterprise network is identified by evaluating the event tokens to identify state-based transactions of abnormal behavior. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243726 | EQUIPMENT USAGE INFORMATION OBTAINING APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT USAGE INFORMATION OBTAINING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT USAGE INFORMATION OBTAINING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - Equipment, which are to be checked for the amount of usage of consumables, are extracted based on an agreement ID, and a closing day for checking the amount of usage of consumables specified for each of the extracted pieces of equipment is obtained. A check is subsequently performed, by the closing day, to ascertain whether or not a check date exists on which the amount of usage has been checked by referencing a log which records the amount of usage of consumables. When a check date does not exist in the log, the sequence for checking the amount of usage is changed in accordance with priority level data specified by the agreement ID. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249961 | DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT AND AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Digital rights management and audience measurement systems and methods are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request to upload media content to a content distributor, attempting to obtain a code associated with the media content, querying a program information database for program information associated with the media content using the code, and applying a business rule to the media content based on the program information. | 10-09-2008 |
20080270324 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF FOOD ITEMS - A food identification and tracking system includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold food items. An electronically-readable tag is affixed to each of the containers. The data stored on the tags may include information, such as an identification of a food item being held by the container, the ingredients of the food item, and/or the price of the food item, for example. The containers may be distributed by way of a conveyor system offering the food items in the containers for consumption. One or more sensors positioned relative to the conveyor may electronically read the data stored on a tag and cause the identification of the food item in a container to be shown on a display. When the data in each tag includes an indicator of the price of the food item, the cost of all the food item(s) consumed by a consumer may be calculated for payment. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270325 | System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service providing route selection capability - A method and system for computing the price of a railway transportation service for the shipping goods is provided. A computer delivers first information to a user prompting the user to enter information about a rail transportation service including an origin and a destination for the shipment of goods. In response to the origin and the destination information, the computer is caused to deliver a series of routes between the origin of the shipment of goods and the destination of the shipment of goods. The user is prompted to select at least one route from the series of routes. A price for the rail transportation service for shipment of goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the at least one route selected by the user and is provided to the user as a quote for the rail transportation service. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270326 | System and methods for rating plural products - A system and method for rating of each of plural products comprising identifying plurality of attributes associated with a category of product, applying a scalar structure for each attribute to provide scalar value of each attribute for each of the plural products, determining an incremental competitive index for each attribute of each product based on the scalar value of each attribute and a number of products having the scalar value, and rating each product based on the determined competitive index. | 10-30-2008 |
20080294575 | System for Providing Widget-Type Idle-screen Contents Data Providing System for Mobile Communication Terminal - A system for providing a widget-type idle-screen contents data is provided. The system includes a data generation unit which generates the widget-type idle-screen contents data for the mobile communication terminal; a contents database which receives the widget-type idle-screen contents data from the data generation unit and stores and manages the widget-type idle-screen contents data; and a mobile communication terminal which selectively downloads the contents data from the contents data and stores and operates the downloaded contents data, wherein, the mobile communication terminal comprises a firmware level, an OEM level, an idle-screen platform, a porting layer, a base layer, and an application layer. | 11-27-2008 |
20080301064 | System and Method for Determining a Real Estate Property Valuation - Methods and systems for establishing a contemporaneous Real Estate property valuations are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, this is based upon first identifying a set of relevant value indicators, or Fields, and then producing a comprehensive Multiple Regression Analysis which statistically measures the relative value of Real Estate properties included in the Set. | 12-04-2008 |
20080306883 | Techniques for automatically provisioning a database over a wide area network - Techniques for provisioning databases for users on a wide area network include a first party managing one or more database systems. Multiple second parties subscribe to database services supported by the database systems managed by the first party. The first party provides, over a network, to database applications controlled by the second parties, access to the database services to which the second parties are subscribed. | 12-11-2008 |
20080313101 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPACITY- AND VALUE-BASED PRICING MODEL FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - A method and structure for pricing a good or service to a customer includes a calculator that executes a pricing model that includes a dimension of a utility of the good or service to the customer. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313102 | Method of and system for estimating the cost and effort associated with preparing for and conducting a CMMI appraisal - A method of and system for estimating the cost of and effort associated with preparing for and conducting a CMMI appraisal. A set of variables affecting a CMMI appraisal are input. Prior CMMI appraisal data is determined. The costs and effort associated with preparing for and conducting different stages of a CMMI appraisal are automatically calculated based on the inputs and the prior CMMI appraisal data. The costs and effort calculated are totaled and may be used to generate a report. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313103 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING LOWEST COST PRESCRIPTION - A computer software system that provides a requester and a physician with information on available cost savings for therapeutic equivalents to a patient's medication is disclosed. The computer software system can include an information-gathering template, a system administrator module, a search engine, a database and a message delivery module. The information-gathering template can be accessible by a requestor that is paying for the patient's medication and have an input field for accepting a medication name. The system administrator module can receive the medication name from the information-gathering template and instruct the search engine to search the database for a cost associated with the medication name, any therapeutic equivalents to the medication name and their respective cost. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319925 | Computer Hardware Metering - A computer or other electronic device may be used in one of several selectable modes of operation. Computer resources, such as a processor, memory, or a graphics controller, are individually settable for operation at different levels of performance. A mode of operation or performance level is determined by the combination of individual settings for the various resources. Pay-per-use operation is charged at a rate determined by the mode of operation or performance level. Operation in a gaming mode may be charged at a higher rate than operation in web-browsing mode. A metering agent may be associated with each scalable use resource to securely set the performance level and to securely report on metered operation of the resource. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319926 | METHOD FOR DYNAMIC USAGE BILLING - A computer-implemented method of calculating a bill for resource usage in an application hosting environment. Resource information is gathered on each computer system resource from a set of resources which are memory resources, SAN resources, CPU resources, hard disk resources, network resources, and middleware resources. A cost per unit of resource is determined for each resource. Usage information is gathered on all resources utilized by at least one computer application during a billing period. A usage sum is determined for each resource utilized which includes a sum of all resource units utilized for each resource. A total usage cost is determined for each resource utilized. The total usage cost is a product of the cost per unit and the usage sum. A dynamic usage bill is created based on a total charge which is a sum of the total usage costs for all resources utilized during the billing period. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319927 | METHODS FOR THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS - Compositions and methods for producing a crop having a predetermined level of at least one primary trait of interest are provided. The compositions comprise seeds and plants exhibiting a primary trait of interest. Primary traits include traits that improve or otherwise facilitate the conversion of harvested plant material into a commercially useful product. The predetermined level of the primary trait is obtained by blending harvested plant material from at least two varieties of plants, wherein at least one of the varieties exhibits the primary trait. The blend can be customized for use in a variety of commercially important industrial or agricultural downstream uses. | 12-25-2008 |
20090006276 | Modular computer program for managing dynamic pricing information - Users of a computer network (e.g., the Internet) can be encouraged to access dynamic pricing information (e.g., bid/ask pricing information for goods/services available in commerce) on the computer network (e.g., collected and maintained by a dynamic pricing system) by distributing to one or more users of the computer network (e.g., by e-mail) a modular computer program (e.g., a Java applet) that displays (e.g., in ticker format) dynamic pricing information collected from the computer network, and presenting to the one or more users of the modular computer program an interactive visual indication (e.g., a hyperlink or glyph) of a user-attractive resource available on the computer network (e.g., a contest, reward program, coupons, etc.). Access to the user-attractive resource can be provided to a user upon sensing that the user selected the interactive visual indication. The stream of dynamic pricing information displayed to users can have a predefined taxonomy, and the users can selectively view different levels of the taxonomy. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006277 | METHOD FOR NETWORK CAPACITY PLANNING WITH PROPER ACCOUNTING OF SPARE CAPACITY - An apparatus and method for introducing new factors to properly account for the benefits of carrying an appropriate amount of capacity in a communication network. The present invention defines a variable that represents the benefit of the spare capacity of a link. The notion of benefit is similar to the notion of a negative cost of link augments. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006278 | Technique for Producing Constructed Fares - A technique for producing constructed fares that include an arbitrary added to a published fare is described. The techniques determine interior cities that appear with gateway cities in arbitraries for the airline and searches for gateway cities corresponding to the determined interior cities appearing in the arbitraries. The technique applies an arbitrary corresponding to one of the interior cities to a published fare involving one of the gateway cities to produce the constructed fare. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012913 | Article Joint Purchase System Using Network - Proposed is a flexible joint purchase order system in which a unit price of an article can be reduced through production by a particular lot, and a sales price is determined based on demand without causing a seller to have a loss in relation to production and purchasing costs. Implemented is an article joint purchase system using: an accepting means for accepting purchase application information inputted through a terminal device and reporting an application for purchase, an entry price of a particular article, and a desired quantity; an order data table for storing the application for purchase, the entry price, and the desired quantity; a condition table for registering an initial cost, a fixed cost, a maximum sales quantity; and a network for comparing a first value obtained by multiplying the entry price by desired quantities entered at prices equal to or higher than the entry price with a second value obtained by adding the initial cost to a value obtained by multiplying the fixed cost by the desired quantities, for determining the sales to be made, and for transmitting the entry price as the sales-determined price to the terminal device. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012914 | BENCHMARKING OF COMPUTER AND NETWORK SUPPORT SERVICES - A process and computer program product for adjusting a price derived from a benchmark computer service model to a price of a computer service contract, or vice versa. Differences in service between the benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract are determined. Then, a price adjustment due to the differences is determined. The price adjustment may be based on incremental cost of labor and tools to account for the differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract. Then, the price of the benchmark computer service model is compared to the price of the computer service contract with the price adjustment. The benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract can both include computer program support services, computer hardware support services, a help desk call center service and/or network maintenance services. The differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract may comprise a difference in type of a computer service, a quantity of a computer service, quality of a computer service, and/or complexity of a computer service. The differences may comprise support for a customer's computer hardware or computer programs which is more difficult to support than computer hardware or computer programs specified in the benchmark service model. The differences may comprise a service constraint in the service contract which is not present in the benchmark service model. | 01-08-2009 |
20090018975 | METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PRICE CHANGE INDEX SUPPORTING TRADABLE DERIVATIVES - Method for establishing a commercial real estate price change index supporting tradable derivatives. The method utilizes a database of price changes actually experienced by individual commercial properties including allowing for gradual accumulation of price data. The database is filtered with selected data filters and time-weighted dummy variables are specified. A repeat-sales regression is performed on the filtered database to create the index. The repeat-sales regression includes a weighted least squares estimation in which weights are determined in a three-stage regression process. A ridge regression noise filter in which a first order autocorrelation coefficient in estimated index price-change returns controls the ridge estimation, and the first autocorrelation coefficient is near 0. The index is optimized for derivative trading purposes by excluding backward adjustments and a scope and frequency for the index is selected. The index may be used for tradable derivatives. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018976 | Method and system for providing price quotes for new and used vehicles - The system provides the user with all relevant information, allowing the information to be tailored from the dealership for which the consumer will purchase the vehicle. The process is completely automated, allowing for users to instantaneously receive pricing information on the new vehicle of their choice as well as their trade-in, not having to wait for a reply from a salesperson in a dealership. The user provides information regarding the new vehicle desired and the trade-in vehicle and the user's zip code. The zip code provided is used to identify the dealership that has been assigned to that area of responsibility, as well as for the calculation of the price since factory incentives often vary according to geographical area. And, the dealership's distance from the zip code can be used as a factor in determining the provided pricing information. | 01-15-2009 |
20090024542 | Device, maintenance support apparatus, and support system - The system of the present invention is configured to online support the operation of a device using an expendable under restriction of refill. The system receives device information regarding identification of a model of the device and expendable information including a degree of consumption of the expendable from the device via a network, and estimates an operating status of the device under restriction of the refill of the expendable according to the received device information and the received expendable information. The system generates device support information relating to the operation of the device under restriction of the refill of the expendable based on the estimated operating status of the device, and outputs the generated device support information via the network. The arrangement of this system desirably relieves both the user load and the support load in maintenance and support of the device. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024543 | Financial activity based on natural peril events - A computer implemented method and system for automatically setting prices of financial products in a financial activity having a plurality of possible outcomes, includes receiving a first request from a participant terminal to purchase a financial product for one of the possible outcomes, i; and electronically computing a price for the requested financial product, in response to the first request, based at least in part on a first formula. Also included is a method for automatically updating the prices for all other outcomes, other than the outcome, i, based at least in part on a second formula. In one example, the financial products include contracts in a one-sided market of buyer participants where the outcomes are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive | 01-22-2009 |
20090037348 | Method of calculating and displaying premium freight costs - Methods for calculating and displaying premium freight costs are provided. The methods comprise the steps of: A) selecting a time period of interest; B) selecting all shipments occurring within the selected time period and indexing the shipments into a list; C) for each shipment in the list, evaluating whether the shipment was delivered in the optimal mode, optimal source, and/or optimal carrier, and if a non-optimal mode, source or carrier was used, calculating premium freight cost; D) if the premium freight cost is not negative, adding the premium freight cost to a lane for the non-optimal mode; and E) displaying the premium freight cost by lane on a computer screen. Information for carrying out the methods of the present invention is contained in various databases containing shipment data and optimality tables. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037349 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANANGING TRAVEL CLUBS - Systems and methods for managing travel clubs are described. A system comprises a client computer; a server computer, communicatively connected to the client computer with a network system; and a processing system to run on the client computer, wherein the processing system is configured to: present indications of a plurality of participating airlines to a user, wherein the participating airlines are included in a travel club; receive a selection of at least one airline from the plurality of airlines from the user; and use a pricing model to determine a fare for a flight associated with the selected at least one airline, wherein the pricing model is associated with the travel club. | 02-05-2009 |
20090048985 | NAV and IIV Pricing for Actively Managed Exchange Traded Funds - An ETF pricing mechanism for use in managed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) or other collective investment vehicle (CIV) that retains the confidentiality of the vehicle's assets. The method of pricing may comprise: selecting a security price for each portfolio security, wherein each selected security price is associated with a time offset within a pricing interval, and wherein the time offsets are not identical for all of the selected security prices; generating a plurality of partial price components based on the selected security prices; determining a intra-day indicative value (IIV) of a CIV share in response to the plurality of partial price components; and, publishing the determined IIV. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048986 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AND REDUCING COSTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACTIONS IN REAL TIME - A method and system for identifying and reducing costs of information technology actions in real time. Initiation of an information technology (IT) action by a user is detected. An actual cost to perform the IT action is determined in real time prior to a completion of the IT action. A target cost (e.g., average cost) to perform the IT action is obtained. The actual cost is determined to be greater than the target cost. Recommended actions for reducing the actual cost are obtained. A notification is presented to the user in real time and prior to the completion of the IT action. The notification includes a description or a link to a description of the recommended actions. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048987 | System and Method for Optimizing the Loading of Shipping Containers - A system and method for optimizing the loading of a shipping container, optimizing freight costs, communicating ordering and shipping constraints to a customer, and continuously updating shipping costs while an order is being built by a customer. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055328 | PRICING ENGINE FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE - A pricing engine for electronic commerce allows the owner of an electronic market place to dynamically change the pricing available at the electronic market place based on several factors including, but not limited to, manufacturer preferences, distributor preferences, e-market place preferences, the location of a buyer, identity of a buyer, order volume, and so on. A buyer can access the e-market place through the Internet, Input a request for quote, and then receive a price schedule based on the above factors. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055329 | On-line, Real-Time, Property and Casualty Loss Estimation System and Method - An interactive, real-time, property and casualty loss estimation system and method includes a web portal comprising a computer configured to allow a qualified user to sign in over the internet and create an estimate reflective of the true cost to renew a property from a casualty loss. The user enters data from an insurance company loss estimate which in many instances is devoid of consideration of issues such as matching finishes, bringing a property up to standard for changes in building and municipal code, and ancillary costs such as permitting fees. In operation, a final affidavit with a supporting loss estimate is made available for printing by the user to submit to an insurance company to negotiate an increased settlement more fully covering the costs needed to property to a pre-loss condition. | 02-26-2009 |
20090063367 | DETERMINING TAILORED PRICING FOR RETAIL ENERGY MARKET - A method of pricing energy includes determining a price for supplying energy to a consumer over a future term based on at least a forecasted cost of energy and a forecasted energy usage of the consumer. The method further includes automatically determining an updated price for supplying energy based on at least the forecasted energy usage of the consumer used in initially determining the price. The method further includes outputting the updated price for supplying energy. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063368 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - An extended function of an apparatus at a data distributed destination is managed by an apparatus at a data distributing source. An image input unit reads a document and generates image data, which is encrypted by an encrypting unit, generating encrypted document data. An allowance code generating unit generates an allowance code allowing decryption of the encrypted document data and sends it to a code attaching unit. The code attaching unit attaches the allowance code to the encrypted document data and sends the data to a data distribution unit, which sends the data to an image processing apparatus at a data distributed destination. At the data distributed destination, the allowance code is separated from the distributed data, and a decrypting unit is operated based on the allowance code and the encrypted document data is decrypted. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070276 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRINT PROOFING FOR FEE-BASED DOCUMENT OUTPUT DEVICES - The subject application is directed to a print proofing system and method for fee-based document output devices. Electronic document data is first received of a selected electronic document for which tangible output is desired. A user is prompted for input of proof output data representing an instruction to generate a single, tangible copy of the electronic document. Proof output instruction data is received representing a desired sample tangible output corresponding to the electronic document. Output is then commenced of the copy corresponding to the received electronic document. Proof acceptability data is received representing the acceptability of the single, tangible copy of the electronic document data. The receipt of proof output instruction data is then disabled upon receipt of proof acceptability data indicating disapproval of the single, tangible copy. Upon receipt of approval of the single copy, fee data is generated associated with the tangible output of the received electronic document. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076984 | DISTRIBUTING REAUTHORIZATION TIME IN THE EVENT OF TARIFF TIME CHANGE - Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for distributing the timing of reauthorization requests. In one embodiment, a request to authorize a subscriber of a service to consume a quantity of the service is received and a delay time period is calculated. The delay time period is based on the resources available to the subscriber (e.g., remaining balance in a subscriber account, credit limit, etc.), and/or other configurable thresholds. The subscriber is then authorized to consume the quantity of service over a period of time extending to the time of a service pricing change, plus the delay time period. In this manner, network spikes resulting from the receipt of multiple, simultaneous reauthorization requests at the times of service pricing changes are avoided, without increasing the credit risk to the service operator/provider. | 03-19-2009 |
20090099980 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF BILLING FOR PRINTING SERVICE COSTS BY EXAMINING THE CONTENT OF A PAGE - A system and method of billing for printing service costs can examine content of a page and apply a cost function to approximate the cost of printing the page. Examining the content of the page may include detecting at least one object in the page and determining an approximate area of coverage of the detected object within the at least one object in the page. The cost function can approximate the cost of printing the page using the detected object and the determined approximate area of coverage of the detected object. | 04-16-2009 |
20090106170 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AIR FARE VERIFICATION AUDITING - A method and system for air fare verification and auditing for a travel itinerary during a ticketing transaction. A request is received from a customer to verify the air fare for the travel itinerary. The fare verification process determines if the air fare for the travel itinerary is in a fares database. A plurality of rules and restrictions that are applicable to the air fare are validated. The process determines if the air fare passes each of the plurality of rules and restrictions and verifies the air fare if all rules and restrictions are satisfied. A verification response can be provided to the customer for the air fare verification request during the ticketing transaction. An audit report can also be provided via a web reporting tool in near real time. | 04-23-2009 |
20090119231 | System and method for pricing a product - A system, method, and program product is described that is constructed to establish a database of market information, relating to a target product and its competitors in the market. The database is processed to allow the user to establish a price for the target process based on customer perceived value and to display the processed information in several useful charts and tables for product value comparison, appraisal, and pricing. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125454 | SOFTWARE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDING QUOTES - A method for automatically generating a price quote by inputting information relevant to the price quote into software and automatically generating the quote using the software. Automatic quoting means for automatically creating quotes. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125455 | Method for Aligning Investor and Portfolio Manager Financial Interests - A method for aligning investor and portfolio manager interest comprising a polyfunctional fee algorithm. wherein said algorithm charges higher fees to the investor when returns are favorable and charges a lower fees to the investor when returns are not favorable. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132435 | POPULARITY BASED LICENSING OF USER GENERATED CONTENT - Technologies are described herein for providing popularity-based licensing of user-generated content. A selection of a popularity measure is received. A value of the popularity measure is determined. A price of a user-generated content item is determined based on the value of the popularity measure. A license including the price of the user-generated content item is generated. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132436 | AERIAL ROOF ESTIMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods and systems for roof estimation are described. Example embodiments include a roof estimation system, which generates and provides roof estimate reports annotated with indications of the size, geometry, pitch and/or orientation of the roof sections of a building. Generating a roof estimate report may be based on one or more aerial images of a building. In some embodiments, generating a roof estimate report of a specified building roof may include generating a three-dimensional model of the roof, and generating a report that includes one or more views of the three-dimensional model, the views annotated with indications of the dimensions, area, and/or slope of sections of the roof. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 05-21-2009 |
20090144207 | PROGRESSIVE PRICING SCHEMES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for calculating charges for advertisements are provided. The historical performance (such as CTR) of an online advertisement is utilized to calculate accurate performance prediction, in turn used to calculate the current cost per selection (click-through) of the advertisement. The current cost per selection may be multiplied by the total number of times the advertisement has been presented to user(s) to determine the adjusted revenue total for the advertisement. In embodiments, the charge due for the advertisement is the adjusted revenue total for the advertisement less the amount of revenue previously received for the advertisement. | 06-04-2009 |
20090150303 | Method and Apparatus for Publishing Literature - A method of publishing a work of literature includes storing the work of literature on a first computer being coupled to a network, the work of literature containing a plurality of keywords including all unique words in the work of literature; freely transmitting the work of literature to other computers on the network in response to display requests from the other computers; receiving a purchase request for a keyword in the work of literature from a second computer via the network; and updating the work of literature on the first computer to contain an indication that the keyword has been purchased for each appearance of the keyword in the work of literature. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150304 | AUTOMATED TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND APPROACH - Transaction management for contract and contract-related approaches is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management computer is programmed to automatically set contract terms for a transaction based on business rules previously established between parties to a transaction. In one implementation, the transaction management node automatically derives a contract term including a pricing-related term for a transaction between a buyer and seller using contract information therefor. In one instance, previously-agreed-upon price approaches, such as fixed pricing, seller-controlled pricing, quantity-related tiered pricing and pricing management schemes are stored and used by the transaction management node to automatically derive the prices. With these approaches, pricing disputes that can occur after a transaction has been processed are reduced and/or eliminated. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157566 | METHOD AND PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT A VEHICULAR TRAVEL PATH RECORDING THAT INCLUDES POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE A RELIABLE AND REPEATABLE ROAD USER CHARGE - The invention relates to a system and a method for addressing three problems:
| 06-18-2009 |
20090164390 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING MAIL ROUTING, MAIL PROCESSING, AND/OR MODE OF DELIVERY - The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for altering delivery of a piece by altering either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or the mode of delivery. The invention provide an indicia associated with the piece of mail including instructions that are at least one of a different delivery address, mode of processing, or a mode of delivery than that originally designated for the piece of mail. During mail sorting and processing, the indicia associated with the piece of mail are analyzed. Either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery currently associated with the piece of mail are altered to conform with the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery indicated by the indicia. In some embodiments, the indicia is altered by on a business parameter, such as a monetary value associated with the contents of the piece of mail. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164391 | Self learning method and system to revenue manage a published price in a retail environment - A computer-based self-learning system for managing a price in a retail environment, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for receiving an input related to initiation of a transaction between a customer and a first business entity; a memory unit for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP) and a history of at least one previous transaction between the customer and the first business entity; and a processor for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for: determining, using the AIP, the input, and the history, a price for the good or service to optimize revenue for the first business entity or profitability of the first business entity. The interface element is for receiving a request for the price, and the processor is for transmitting, using the interface element, the price for display. | 06-25-2009 |
20090177593 | PORTABLE BASE STATION DEVICE AND CHARGING METHOD - A mobile base station device and billing method, which can provide an incentive for use at a specific position, while securing convenience for users, are provided. In a mobile base station device | 07-09-2009 |
20090187513 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPFRONT VEHICLE PRICING - Systems and methods for upfront vehicle pricing management may include an independently owned online system which may provide a consumer with an upfront dealership price for a vehicle trim as a category. A vehicle pricing management system may collect vehicle pricing information from multiple sources, provide pricing feedback information, and provide alerts for various pricing changes. Dealers and other non-broker entities may be able to interact with the system and submit dealership prices, and may receive real-time feedback in terms of price effectiveness for the dealer and yield of consumer buy-in. | 07-23-2009 |
20090204550 | Marketing plan for social change and resource reallocation through the sale and/or exchange of goods and services - A method and system for marketing goods/services based on the incomes of the suppliers of the goods/services and the purchasers of those goods/services. Those suppliers of the goods/services who have the least income will receive the most remuneration. Those suppliers of the goods/services who have the greater income will receive the least remuneration. Purchasers use the same method. This marketing plan generates significant income for those two billion people in the world who live on less than US$2.00/day. An exponential methodology creates the rate structure for all participants. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204551 | Learning-Based Method for Estimating Costs and Statistics of Complex Operators in Continuous Queries - A learning-based method for estimating costs or statistics of an operator in a continuous query includes a cost estimation model learning procedure and a model applying procedure. The model learning procedure builds a cost estimation model from training data, and the applying procedure uses the model to estimate the cost associated with a given query. The learning procedure uses a feature extractor, a confidence adjustor and a cost estimator. The feature extractor collects relevant training data and obtains feature values. The extracted feature values are associated with costs and used to create the cost estimator. The extracted feature values, the associated costs, the cost estimator, and a user interface are used to create a confidence adjuster. When applying the confidence adjuster and the cost estimator to a continuous stream of data, the feature extractor extracts feature values from the data stream, uses the extracted feature values as input into the confidence adjuster to determine whether or not the cost estimator should be used, and if so, uses the extracted feature values as inputs into the cost estimator to obtain the desired cost values. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210355 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING OPTIMIZED PRICES FOR PRODUCTS FOR SALE - A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes producing optimized prices for products for sale. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210356 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PAY-PER-USE DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING RESOURCES - Method, system, apparatus, and computer program and computer program product provide on-demand, scalable computational resources to application providers over a distributed network and system. Resources are made available based on demand for applications. Application providers are charged fees based on the amount of resources utilized to satisfy the needs of the application. In providing compute resources, method and apparatus is capable of rapidly activating a plurality of instances of the applications as demand increases and to halt instances as demand drops. Application providers are charged based on metered amount of computational resources utilized in processing their applications. Application providers access the network to distribute applications onto network to utilize distributed compute resources for processing of the applications. Application providers are further capable of monitoring, updating and replacing distributed applications. Apparatus and system includes plurality of computing resources distributed across a network capable of restoring and snapshotting provisioned applications based on demand. | 08-20-2009 |
20090228402 | QUOTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A quotation system and method are provided (see FIG. | 09-10-2009 |
20090234778 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAPTURING BILLABLE TIME - A method and system helps users capture billable time spent in writing an email and related tasks. A software program is provided that is integrated with an existing email program. The program tracks user time spent on each email and associates billing information with the spent time for use in a billing program. | 09-17-2009 |
20090234779 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAPTURING BILLABLE TIME - A method and system helps users capture billable time spent in writing an email and related tasks. A software program is provided that is integrated with an existing email program. The program tracks user time spent on each email and associates billing information with the spent time for use in a billing program. | 09-17-2009 |
20090240634 | Systems and Methods for Automating Calculation of Costs Associated with an Application Packaging Job - A system and method for generating a configurable workflow for application packaging jobs are disclosed. A method may include receiving input from a user interface by a packaging application configured to manage an application packaging job. The method may also include creating a plurality of workflow states based on at least the received input, each workflow state associated with a particular step in the application packaging job. The method may further include associating at least one action with at least one workflow state based on at least the received input, each action defining a transition from its associated workflow state to a target workflow state. Additionally, the method may include associating an assignee type with at least one action based on at least the received input, the assignee type defining at least one assignee that may assigned to the application packaging job for the particular action. | 09-24-2009 |
20090254492 | Method and Apparatus for Estimating Value of Information Technology Service Management Based on Process Complexity Analysis - Techniques are disclosed for quantitatively estimating a value of a given process, such as an IT service management process. For example, a computer-implemented method for estimating a value based on a complexity analysis of a given process comprises a computer performing the following steps. A context for the given process is identified. A baseline for the given process is quantified. The process baseline comprises a key performance indicator and an underlying complexity measure. An improvement measure for the given process is determined. The improvement measure is achieved by at least one of a tooling deployment or a process transformation. A value derived for the given process is estimated based on the context identifying, baseline quantifying, and improvement determining steps. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254493 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRICING REPAIR SERVICES - A list of pricing information for repair services includes a potentially large number of repair services grouped into a limited number of price categories such that the price of any given pricing category represents the price of each different service included in that category. A method of using this price list to determine the price of a particular repair service desired by a customer includes the steps of identifying in the price list the pricing category which includes the particular service desired, and determining the unique price assigned to that pricing category. Preferably, the price list is initially displayed to a customer before the customer's equipment is diagnosed, and the customer is informed that the cost of the repair service will be one of the prices associated with a listed pricing category. Upon diagnosing the customer's equipment to determine the particular repair service needed, and advising the customer of such, the service technician as well as the customer can each reference the price list independently to readily determine the price of the desired service. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254494 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING POLICY AND CHARGING CONTROL - A method for implementing a policy and charging control (PCC) is provided. The method includes: acquiring user location information; and determining a PCC rule of a user according to the acquired user location information. The PCC rule is for a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) to perform the corresponding PCC. Corresponding PCEF, policy control and charging rules function (PCRF), gateway, and system for implementing a PCC are also provided. Thus, the PCC based on fine-granularity location information is implemented. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259601 | Method of designing and building to a targeted cost for high tech facilities - The present invention discloses a methodology and device for predicting the cost of construction of a facility for use especially in conception stages of a project. The method proceeds by identifying a process application to be housed within the facility, identifying specified process equipment, minimum size of the facility, the support utility infrastructure required for all systems which will provide for the needs of the identified process application, and determining associated costs. A variety of other factors may also be examined in determining cost, and by identifying a project budget, the cost or budget itself may be adjusted. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265286 | CUSTOMIZED SYSTEM AND METHOD OF BILLING FOR PRINTING SERVICE COSTS BY EXAMINING THE CONTENTS OF PRINTED PAGES - A system and method of billing for printing service costs is provided to examine content of a page and apply a cost function to approximate the cost of printing the page. Examining the page may include detecting an object in the page, determining a type of the detected object, and determining an approximate area of coverage of the detected object within the page. A usage profile of each type of detected object that is printed is calculated and stored. The cost function uses the detected object, the approximate area of coverage, and a weight value associated with the type of detected object to approximate the cost of the page. When costs are calculated over a period of time, the weight value of each type of detected object may be adjusted based on the usage profile for each type of detected object. | 10-22-2009 |
20090276375 | Analysis of powder metal production of a component - A method of calculating the cost saving for producing a metallic component by the use of a powder metal process is provided. The method includes the steps of analyzing the current production method of the component, usually machining, to determine the current unit cost. The customer would agree to purchase an agreed supply of components for an agreed period of time for the components that could be supplied with an agreed cost savings. The production of the component utilizing powder metal process is then analyzed to determine the powder metal unit cost. The savings for production of the component utilizing the powder metal process is then presented to the customer. The customer could agree to purchase the agreed supply of components for an agreed period of time. If agreed, the test production of the component utilizing a powder metal process is then performed. If successful, a final tooling and production quotation for the production of the component is then provided to the customer. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276376 | Diminished value represented as a percentage or decimal equivalent in the field of automobiles - The purpose of this patent application is to secure the exclusive right for the expression of diminished value represented as a percentage or decimal equivalent. In the field of automotive valuation there is no way to provide equality between wholesale & retail automobile markets & conflicting values—other than using percentage or decimal equivalent. | 11-05-2009 |
20090287614 | DYNAMIC TRANSFERRING OF AVATARS BETWEEN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - Interruption and degradation of service within a virtual universe leads to an unsatisfactory experience for users of the virtual universe. Dissatisfaction with service of a virtual universe may lead users to see alternate universes providing higher levels of service. Functionality can be implemented to identify alternate virtual universes that meet a user's service requirements and dynamically move the user's avatar from one virtual universe to another. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292653 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AN ANNUITY - A method for determining one or more features of an annuity includes receiving data indicative of a prospective annuitant's personal expenses in at least a first expense category and a second expense category; storing the data in memory; accessing price index information for the first expense category; accessing price index information for the second expense category; accessing general price index information; and based on factors including the price index information for the first expense category, the price index information for the second expense category, and the general price index information, determining a benefit increase rate of an annuity for the prospective annuitant; and providing an output indicative of at least the determined benefit increase rate. | 11-26-2009 |
20090307151 | Method and device for automatically reconstruction and analyzing a travelled route - A method and device are provided concerning automatic reconstruction and evaluation of a traveled route, e.g., for offboard toll recording. In an embodiment, cost-effective onboard units, i.e., mobile telephony devices installed in a vehicle, are provided which record the position information, compress the recorded position information, and transmit the compressed position data to a main station. The main station is then able to reconstruct from the compressed position data the route a vehicle has actually traveled. An evaluation of the position information, e.g., for determining tolls, is carried out in a separate device. Since position data, digital maps and other operating data are now administered and processed in a central device, these data may be adapted in a simple and rapid manner, e.g., when updating the road geometries. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307152 | Cost Management System - A cost management system for an inventory item defines a set of one or more attributes or “valuation structures”, and at least one value for each of the attributes in the set or “valuation unit”. The system receives a transaction involving the inventory item. The system then determines the cost of the inventory item based on the attribute values for the valuation structure of the item. Therefore, the cost of the inventory item will vary based on the attribute values. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307153 | Method And Apparatus For Pricing Products In Multi-Level Product And Organizational Groups - The invention organizes various pricing tables and price adjustment tables and various products and purchasing organizations based on “who” (i.e. which purchasing organization) is purchasing “what” (i.e. which product). The invention utilizes a denormalized table to relate the “who” to the “what” using denormalized numbers. The invention further organizes various purchasing organizations and products into hierarchical tables. These hierarchical tables are called organizational groups and product groups. Various price adjustments may be specified for each level of the organizational groups and product groups hierarchies. The price adjustments for a particular purchasing organization are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular purchasing organization as well as the price adjustments for organizational groups above the particular purchasing organization in the organizational groups hierarchy. Likewise, the price adjustments for a particular product are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular product as well as the price adjustments for product groups above the particular product in the product groups hierarchy. The invention sorts the various pricing adjustments applicable to a particular product offered to a particular purchasing group based on several criteria. After the sorting is accomplished the pricing adjustments are applied in sequence to arrive at a final price at which a particular product can be sold to a particular purchasing organization. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307154 | Method And Apparatus For Pricing Products In Multi-Level Product And Organizational Groups - The invention organizes various pricing tables and price adjustment tables and various products and purchasing organizations based on “who” (i.e. which purchasing organization) is purchasing “what” (i.e. which product). The invention utilizes a denormalized table to relate the “who” to the “what” using denormalized numbers. The invention further organizes various purchasing organizations and products into hierarchical tables. These hierarchical tables are called organizational groups and product groups. Various price adjustments may be specified for each level of the organizational groups and product groups hierarchies. The price adjustments for a particular purchasing organization are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular purchasing organization as well as the price adjustments for organizational groups above the particular purchasing organization in the organizational groups hierarchy. Likewise, the price adjustments for a particular product are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular product as well as the price adjustments for product groups above the particular product in the product groups hierarchy. The invention sorts the various pricing adjustments applicable to a particular product offered to a particular purchasing group based on several criteria. After the sorting is accomplished the pricing adjustments are applied in sequence to arrive at a final price at which a particular product can be sold to a particular purchasing organization. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313181 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTNER COLLABORATION - A system and associated method for gathering data necessary for exchanging a product between at least two partners. Each partner in said at least two partners resides in a different country. The method provides for gathering information regarding the product being exchanged and more specifically a delivery location, a returning date and returning location if the product is being returned to said sending partner, a single valuation for said product being exchanged, a lot number for said product, clean-room requirements for said receiving partners, a product history, and a genealogy of said product being exchanged. After collecting the information, the method formats said information according to the specific receiving partner's requirements. The method further determines the appropriate method of transmission according to each receiving partner's requirements. Finally, the method sends each receiving partner their specifically formatted version of the information regarding the product being exchanged. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319443 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, BILLING AMOUNT DETERMINATION METHOD AND BILLING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus that executes a job and determines a billing amount for the job depending on a parameter value given to a parameter that relates to the execution of the job, the image forming apparatus comprising: a storage that stores therein a first table and a second table, the first table defining billing amounts for a plurality of non-overlapping value ranges in one-to-one correspondence, the second table defining billing amounts for a plurality of specific values in one-to-one correspondence; and a determiner operable to refer to the second table before referring to the first table and judge whether the parameter value is identical to any one of the plurality of specific values in the second table (step S402), and if identical (Yes in step S402), determine the billing amount for the job according to the second table (step S403). | 12-24-2009 |
20090319444 | FACSIMILE MACHINE AND COMMUNICATION METHOD USED IN THE FACSIMILE MACHINE - An image forming apparatus is provided with a document data storage portion for storing document data, a charge calculation portion for performing a charge operation for calculating communication charges to be made for transmission of the document data, a send/receive portion for transmitting the document data to different image forming apparatuses each of which is at the other end of the communication, and a transmission control portion for controlling the charge calculation portion and the send/receive portion such that the charge operation for one of the different image forming apparatuses that is the current transmission destination is performed within the following period: after start of transmission of the document data to another of the different image forming apparatuses that is the last transmission destination, and, before or concurrently with start of transmission of the document data to the different image forming apparatus that is the current transmission destination. | 12-24-2009 |
20090327162 | PRICE ESTIMATION OF OVERLAPPING KEYWORDS - In this invention, systems and methods for providing a price estimate for two or more keywords are provided. More specifically, a price estimate is determined and provided when each keyword has terms in common, where each keyword includes one or more terms. For example, a first keyword (e.g., “car”) and a second keyword (e.g., “new car”) share a common word. Thus, the price estimate of these keywords will illuminate the overlapping traffic between the keywords and provide a more accurate price estimate to the advertiser, when bidding on the keywords. A more accurate price estimate allows the advertiser to better estimate their advertising budget when factoring in the overlapping keyword traffic, and accordingly, bid on more keywords. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327163 | Choice Engine - Disclosed are arrangements ( | 12-31-2009 |
20090327164 | LOAD DISTRIBUTING METHOD, COMPUTER PRODUCT, AND LOAD DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS - A load distributing method includes receiving information concerning resources of a terminal device from the terminal device in a grid on a network of a grid computing system; extracting, from a computation data group related to grid computing and based on the received information concerning resources, computation data corresponding to the resources; and distributing to the terminal device, the extracted computation data together with content reproducible during processing of the computation data. | 12-31-2009 |
20100005038 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZED PRICE PER PRINT/COPY - A method of determining a quality output of a page based on a price input and examining content of a page. Examining content of a page includes detecting at least one object on the page and determining an approximate area of coverage of the at least one object on the page. The method also includes approximating a cost of printing the page based on the approximate area of coverage. The method also includes processing a user selected price for printing the page and comparing the user selected price to the approximated cost of printing the page. The method also includes generating the page based on the comparison between the user selected price and the approximated cost of printing the page. | 01-07-2010 |
20100017346 | DIAMOND LIKE CARBON COATING OF SUBSTRATE HOUSINGS - Embodiments of the invention include articles comprising a diamond like carbon coating or doped diamond like carbon coating on one or more surfaces of a plastic substrate or a plastic enclosure. Embodiments of the DLC or doped DLC coatings reduce the gas permeation of the coated plastic or thermoplastic to hydrogen or helium compared to the permeability of the plastic alone. The DLC or doped DLC coatings coating provides a surface resistivity of from about 10 | 01-21-2010 |
20100017347 | INTELLIGENT PALLET - A intelligent pallet having and active RFID tag embedded therein is provided. The pallet is used within a leasing system and/or an inventory management system. | 01-21-2010 |
20100030706 | EFFICIENT AUCTIONING OF ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS BY USING TRAFFIC ESTIMATION DATA FROM MOBILE PHONE SERVICE - The present disclosure is a method for determining an auction reserve price for a display time slot on a billboard. The method may comprise requesting traffic information of an area in proximity of the location of the billboard from a mobile phone service provider and determining the auction reserve price for the display time slot utilizing a pricing model based on the traffic information. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030707 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes: a web server configured to prompt a user to specify a file as a printing target by an external apparatus and to input information of the user by the external apparatus; an authentication unit configured to authenticate the user based on the input information input by the external apparatus; a transmission/reception unit configured to transmit permission or denial to transmit data from the external apparatus based on an authentication result of the authentication unit; and a print data converter configured to convert the data received from the external apparatus into a printable format. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036776 | Automatic Design And Sale Of Complex Multi-Vendor Electronic And Mechanical Systems - The automation of design and sale of electronic and mechanical components is accomplished by allowing a user to design a plan for their electronic and mechanical component needs using specialized software. The software utilizes predefined models of components to aid the user in designing a system where all the components are compatible, even in cases where the components are made by different manufacturers. This is accomplished by creating a model for each proposed piece of equipment in the system, the model having properties and rules, wherein the rules define conditions and actions. Then an object is created for each piece of equipment in the system. Selections for values for the properties are received for each of the pieces of equipment. Any rules that have as a condition the properties for which value selections are received are executed. Finally, testing may be undertaken to determine if a proposed configuration is valid by examining results of the rule execution. | 02-11-2010 |
20100057639 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING TIME MEASUREMENTS IN ADVERTISING PRICING - Embodiments of the present invention provides for methods, systems and computer program products for utilizing time measurement in advertising pricing. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises identifying one or more advertisements that are to be displayed in conjunction with one or more web documents. The one or more web documents are displayed in conjunction with the one or more advertisements and a time period the one or more advertisements are displayed is monitored. A monetary value for display of the one or more advertisements is determined on the basis of the time period the one or more advertisements are displayed. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057640 | Method of creating a pricing schedule for use by a pharmaceutical pricing system - A method of creating an electronic pricing schedule for use by a pharmaceutical pricing system includes the steps of determining an average wholesale price (“AWP”) for a quantity of a drug, determining a median sales price (“MSP”) for the quantity of the drug, wherein the MSP is based on historical sales data, and determining a discount rate based on the quantity of the drug. The method further includes the steps of calculating a gross profit percentage (“GP %”), wherein the GP % is based on the AWP, the MSP, and the discount rate, and generating an electronic pricing schedule, wherein the drug is associated with the GP %. | 03-04-2010 |
20100082503 | ESTIMATING ON-LINE ADVERTISING INVENTORY VALUE BASED ON CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION - Disclosed are apparatus and methods for apparatus and methods for pricing on-line advertisement inventory. In one embodiment, a method for pricing on-line advertisement inventory includes (i) receiving a request for a price of a new product, wherein the new product includes a plurality of specified characteristics of a type of on-line advertisement display, (ii) providing a sample of new impressions that are predicted to be delivered for such new product, (iii) for each new impression, determining which bookings could be served by such new impression so as to define a set of overlapping bookings, (iv) determining the price of each new impression based on a weighted average of a plurality of prices of such each new impression's corresponding overlapping bookings, (v) determining the price of the new product based on an average of the prices of the new impressions, and (vi) returning the price of the new product for use in a booking negotiation with a potential buyer of such new product. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082504 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING AND OPTIMIZING REVENUE FROM SERVICE FEES IN OR RELATING TO ONLINE SERVICE PROCESSES - A method of managing a billing process is provided to optimize or simulate different models in order to reach a predetermined level of a metric associated with the service. The method includes determining an input model to optimize or simulate, determining existing associated models, comparing the existing model and the input model, iterating one or more parameters of the input model in order to achieve the predetermined level of the metric, and determining the iterated input model. | 04-01-2010 |
20100094779 | INFORMATION SYSTEM, SERVER, SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD AND PROGRAM - Fee-charging unit has unit to exclude, from a fee-charging target, information that is provided for a period of non-operating time for which the receiving device is presumed, from at least the charging state, to be disabled from continuing the reception if the fee-charging target information was provided to the receiving device in the past, if there is not recorded a piece of information that the receiving device can continue to receive the information for the predetermined period of time and if there is recorded a piece of information that the charging state of the secondary battery is not sufficient for continuing the reception. | 04-15-2010 |
20100100505 | NEUTRAL PIXEL CORRECTION FOR PROPER MARKED COLOR PRINTING - A system calculates appropriate billing within an imaging pipeline. An input component receives an image that is described as a plurality of pixels. A PDL component receives the image and determines a location, a color and a designation for each of the one or more pixels. A marking engine modifies the one or more pixels based at least in part on the location and the color provided by the PDL component and places each of the one or more pixels as a monochrome or a composite pixel on a substrate. An analysis component counts the number of monochrome and composite pixels placed on the substrate by the marking engine, the number of composite pixels that include a designation are counted as monochrome. A billing component calculates the cost for placing each of the monochrome and the composite pixels counted by the analysis component. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100506 | DYNAMIC PRICING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for providing dynamic pricing are provided herein. | 04-22-2010 |
20100131428 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZED PRICE/FILE SIZE PER SCAN - A method of determining a quality of a file of a scanned page based upon a user selected input including examining the content of the scanned page via detecting at least one object on the scanned page, classifying each object on the scanned page and estimating a file size of each object on the scanned page. A file size of the scanned page is approximated based upon the estimated file size of each object on the scanned page. A user input for the scanned page is received and compared to the approximated file size of the scanned page. Finally, a file is generated from the scanned page wherein the quality of the file is based upon the comparison between the user selected input and the approximated file size of the scanned page. | 05-27-2010 |
20100153308 | Method and Device for Ascertaining Minimum Costs from a Starting Location to a Destination for the Purpose of Planning a Route - The aim of the invention is to determine the minimum costs (MIN KOST) from a starting location (STO) to a destination (ZIO), in order to plan a route from said starting location (STO) to the destination (ZIO). To achieve this, a starting node (STK) is determined in accordance with the starting location (STO). Corresponding starting node costs (STK_KOST) to starting map markers (LM_ST) are determined in accordance with the starting nodes (STK). A destination node (ZIK) is determined in accordance with the destination (ZIO). The destination node costs (ZIK_KOST) to destination map markers (LM_ZI) are determined in accordance with the destination nodes (ZIK). In addition, map marker costs (LM_KOST) from each starting map marker (LM_ST) to each destination map marker (LM_ZI) are determined with the aid of a table, which comprises the map marker costs (LM_KOST) of all map markers to all other map markers. The minimum costs (MIN_KOST) are determined in accordance with the previously determined starting node costs (STK_KOST), destination node costs (ZIK_KOST) and map marker costs (LM_KOST). | 06-17-2010 |
20100161515 | On-line, Real-time, Property and Casualty Loss Estimation System and Method - An interactive, real-time, property and casualty loss estimation system and method includes a web portal comprising a computer configured to allow a qualified user to sign in over the internet and create an estimate reflective of the true cost to renew a property from a casualty loss. The user enters data from an insurance company loss estimate which in many instances is devoid of consideration of issues such as matching finishes, bringing a property up to standard for changes in building and municipal code, and ancillary costs such as permitting fees. In operation, a final affidavit with a supporting loss estimate is made available for printing by the user to submit to an insurance company to negotiate an increased settlement more fully covering the costs needed to property to a pre-loss condition. | 06-24-2010 |
20100169239 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTS RE-PRICING - How to determine the price of a product, which includes any goods or services, is always a challenge task. One of the reasons is the difficulty of finding the prices of competitive products. Thus, most companies simply calculate the price by adding a markup to the cost. The markup is determined by experience, which could be inaccurate, or after an extensively manual survey of the prices of competitive products, which is time-consuming. The present invention allows sellers to automatically determine the price of a product by comparing the competitive products searched from the Internet. | 07-01-2010 |
20100191673 | METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURATION AND QUOTATION PROCESSING - A configuration and quotation processing method and system, a configuration and quotation device, and a configuration conversion device are provided. The method includes: acquiring a sales bill of material (SBOM) configuration rule of a product; calculating a configuration bill of material (BOM) of the product according to the SBOM configuration rule, a product price, and received quotation configuration parameters; filtering the configuration BOM according to a preset output content and structure rule to generate an SBOM of the product; and converting the SBOM into a base bill of material (BBOM) according to an SBOM to BBOM (S2B) conversion rule. As such, a client-oriented SBOM can be automatically generated, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the SBOM, and improving the work efficiency. | 07-29-2010 |
20100223205 | MONITORING ROAD USAGE - A system for monitoring road usage by vehicles having associated vehicle terminal units operable to communicate with a cellular telecommunications network, the system comprising:
| 09-02-2010 |
20100241595 | INFORMATION RECORD INFRASTRUCTURE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A security mediator, comprising an input configured to receive a user information request; an automated index, stored in a memory, configured to store information for determining which of a plurality of remote databases stores information responsive to the request; an automated security rule base, stored in a memory, containing rules applicable to information responsive to the request stored in the plurality of remote databases; a communication port configured to communicate to a plurality of remote databases which store information responsive to the request: security information, a query corresponding to the request and associated rules applicable to the information responsive to the request at the respective remote database; and at least one processor being configured to apply at least one security rule responsive to the query of the automated security rule base, and index information derived from a plurality of the remote databases, in a manner which permits application of the rules and which restricts insecure use of the index. | 09-23-2010 |
20100280973 | Linked Information System - A method of simulating an index in a linked information system configured to obtain a set of media content related to at least one tracked theme or topic within a field and to generate a set of links between media content from the set of media content as a function of a relevance to the at least one tracked theme or topic, the method steps of presenting at least one of an initial index or an initial evaluation of events to at least one user, providing mechanisms to enable the at least one user to assign scores to at least one of an initial index or an initial evaluation of events of content from the set of media content, calculating a customized index as a function of the scores, and presenting the customized index to the at least one user. | 11-04-2010 |
20100287120 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRICING PRODUCTS - A computer aided method and system determines a product price for sale of a product that is subsequently sold. A server receives a request from a user to access a stored first price-list, the first price-list comprises at least a product record comprising a product reference and a product price. The server allows the authenticated user to access the first price-list and creates a second price-list associated with the user. A new product record is created in the second price list that is linked to a product record of the first price-list and comprises a product reference and a product price. The price of the new product record is determined from the price contained in the linked product record of the first price-list, so that any change in the price of the first price-list generates an update of the price of the new product record in the second price-list. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287121 | Method, Apparatus, and System for Implementing Policy and Charging Control - A method for implementing a policy and charging control (PCC) is provided. The method includes: acquiring user location information; and determining a PCC rule of a user according to the acquired user location information. The PCC rule is for a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) to perform the corresponding PCC. Corresponding PCEF, policy control and charging rules function (PCRF), gateway, and system for implementing a PCC are also provided. Thus, the PCC based on fine-granularity location information is implemented. | 11-11-2010 |
20110010311 | Method and System for Charging According to Flow of MBMS - A method and system for charging according to the flow of multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is provided. The method includes: a BM-SC make a Service Announcement sent to a subscriber terminal carry data items indicating a service can be charged according to the flow; if a subscriber selects to be charged according to the flow while subscription a service, a tag which requests the subscriber terminal to return the flow, and a payment mode of the subscriber terminal are sent to the subscriber terminal; the subscriber terminal stores the flow information corresponding to the service while receiving the service, and sends a charging request to charging system in different policies according to the payment mode; the charging system charges according to the flow information. | 01-13-2011 |
20110010312 | COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A multi-use service charging protocol is disclosed. A data structure ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110029458 | COMPUTER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTCOME-BASED PRICING OF GOODS AND SERVICES - The present invention provides a system and method that allow sellers to offer goods and services at prices that vary depending on what transpires during the event or service. The final price is determined after the event or service based on the occurrence of certain pre-selected attributes. Candidate attributes are potentially associated with the event or service but the outcome or occurrence of the attribute is not knowable by the buyer and seller with certainty at the time of the original purchase. Using the outcome-based pricing (OBP) and settlement system the seller is able to set prices so as to minimize significant deviation from a pre-determined revenue plan, or alternatively build-in an increase or even decrease in gross revenues. The present invention allows for the order, payment and final settlement of the purchase transaction, automatically. The preferred embodiment for the OBP pricing and settlement system is via a computer network that includes the Internet. | 02-03-2011 |
20110035335 | Apparatus, System, Method, and Computer Readable Medium for Providing Suggestions - There is provided an apparatus for providing suggestions including a memory that stores print attribute information indicating contents of printing processes in a print attribute information database, an obtaining unit that obtains print attribute information of a group of printing processes designated by a user from the print attribute information database, an alternative selection unit that selects an alternative means applicable to each of the group of printing processes based on the print attribute information obtained by the obtaining unit, an actual cost calculation unit that calculates a print cost required for the group of printing processes based on the print attribute information obtained by the obtaining unit, an alternative cost calculation unit that calculates a print cost that would incur if the group of printing processes were executed with the alternative means selected by the alternative selection unit being applied based on the print attribute information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a suggestion unit that presents an improvement suggestion on printing processes based on the print cost calculated by the actual cost calculation unit and the print cost calculated by the alternative cost calculation unit. | 02-10-2011 |
20110035336 | RATING CHANGE FOR A PREPAID SESSION BASED ON MOVEMENT OF A MOBILE DEVICE - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for dynamically changing the rating for a prepaid session based on movement of a mobile device. During a session involving a mobile device, the communication network monitors location information for the mobile device to determine if the mobile device moves from the first zone to a second zone (i.e., a home zone to a non-home zone). Responsive to a determination that the mobile device has moved zones, the communication network identifies updated location information for the mobile device. The communication network then processes the updated location information for the mobile device to determine an updated rating the session, and applies the updated rating for prepaid charging for the session. | 02-10-2011 |
20110040703 | System, Method and Program Product to Estimate Cost of Integrating and Utilizing Heterogeneous Data Sources - System, method and program product for estimating a cost of reconciling heterogeneous data sources. A transition cost for integrating together a first program to identify semantic conflicts, a second program to classify semantic conflicts and a third program to reconcile semantic conflicts is estimated. A steady state cost for managing and maintaining the integrated first, second and third programs is estimated. Another system, method and program product for estimating a cost of integrating heterogeneous data sources. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a first program which identifies semantic conflicts between a cross data source query and schema elements in a data source is estimated. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a second program which classifies semantic conflicts between the cross data source query and schema elements in the data source is estimated. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a third program which reconciles semantic conflicts between the cross data source query and schema elements in the data source is estimated. | 02-17-2011 |
20110040704 | REAL-TIME CHARGE CALCULATION SYSTEM - The above objects can be attained by a system that creates system-created events at an optimal time independent of the billing process, and performs a continuous pricing process so that as events become available to the system they can be priced and summarized in real-time, allowing the billing process to be performed more efficiently. Usage and one-time events become available for pricing as soon as they are delivered to the system. System-created events, such as recurring, minimum charge summary, and maximum charge summary events, are created by the system based on a schedule defined by a subscription to which a customer has subscribed. Charges for events are re-calculated, if necessary, when information in the system, which impacts the charge of an event, changes. On demand pricing is performed when a charge for summary event, such as, a tiered discount plan summary, minimum charge summary, or maximum charge summary, is to be displayed or billed. | 02-17-2011 |
20110082816 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING VEHICLE TOWING - A web-based mapping, pricing, and profitability calculator for the automotive towing industry. | 04-07-2011 |
20110093409 | COMPUTER PRODUCT, CHARGE CALCULATING APPARATUS, AND CHARGE CALCULATING METHOD - A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a charge calculating program that causes a computer that manages a database of different data items to execute recording for each data item, information indicating the number of clients that receive the data item; extracting from the information recorded at the recording and for each data item to be received by a given client, information indicating the number of clients receiving the data item; calculating charges for the given client, based on the extracted information; and outputting the calculated charges. | 04-21-2011 |
20110119207 | Healthcare Index - System and methods for processing price data for health services are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a data storage device configured to store a database comprising one or more records. The system may also include a server in data communication with the data storage device. The server may be suitably programmed to search the database to obtain a group of records of prices for a health service received by a group of subjects, wherein the health service is comprised in a service category; extract a representative price for the health service; determine a weight for the health service relative to the service category; and generate, using a processor, a weighted price for the health service based on the weight and the representative price. | 05-19-2011 |
20110131153 | DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING A COMPUTER'S DISPLAY - A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for dynamically managing screen real estate on a remote computer's display is presented. A first computer receives an initial state of screen real estate of a remote computer's display. The first computer detects a change to an external physical environment of the remote computer's display, and then adjusts the initial state of the screen real estate in order to remotely create an adjusted state of the screen real estate. | 06-02-2011 |
20110145171 | CONVERTING A COMPUTATIONAL FORMULA INTO EXECUTABLE CODE - This method of converting a computational formula having been acquired in the form of a tree structure containing at least one node associated with a parameterized conditional branching operation and connected to at least a first and a second child node, the child node which is associated with the operation which is not executed and the set of nodes which have this child node as parent node being called ‘dead branch’, this method comprising:—the identification and the deletion ( | 06-16-2011 |
20110153524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED BUILDING SERVICES DESIGN - A building systems design process uses computer hardware and software to examine multiple possible solutions to the design of building services systems including plumbing, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical power and lighting through automated calculation procedures and iterative computing methods. The process examines multiple valid solutions to the system design requirements, while preparing construction cost estimates of each valid solution examined and comparing the cost of each solution to determine the least costly solution that meets or exceeds all required design parameters entered into the system. The solution returned by the optimization process includes a complete representation of the best solution found placed in a CAD database ready for reproduction and use in the bidding and construction of the building. | 06-23-2011 |
20110161248 | ONLINE CHARGING CORRELATION IN IMS NETWORKS - Online charging systems (OCS) and methods are disclosed for correlating online charging requests for a session over an IMS network. The OCS stores online charging requests that are received from a network element serving the session in the IMS network. When a new online charging request is received from another network element, the OCS determines whether the new online charging request relates to the same session as any previously-stored online charging requests. If so, the OCS correlates the online charging requests for the session, and determines a new charging rate for the session based on correlated online charging requests and correlation charging rate rules that are stored in the OCS. The OCS then uses the new charging rate to grant new credit quotas for the session. | 06-30-2011 |
20110184886 | AUTOMATED AGENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SYSTEMS - A method to automatically process social media data includes capturing captured data, describing actions and/or context relating a user across multiple social media systems. The captured data is stored within a database. One or more interfaces are provided in order to provide access to the stored captured data. A rules database is configured to store multiple social media rules (e.g., behaviors) that may be associated with a user. A behavior engine is configured to perform autonomous activities, on behalf of a user with respect to multiple social media platforms, based on the social medial rules and/or the captured data. | 07-28-2011 |
20110191264 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SALES GENERATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VEHICLE DATA SYSTEM - Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price. | 08-04-2011 |
20110218938 | SYSTEM FOR SELECTING AN OPTIMAL SAMPLE SET OF JOBS FOR DETERMINING PRICE MODELS FOR A PRINT MARKET PORT - A system for determining price models of a print market port including a processor and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with said processor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium comprises one or more programming instructions for: partitioning a job dataset into a plurality of categories, each of the plurality of categories having a pricing model; determining one or more factors within the job dataset that influence a price of each job; developing an input/output model for each job in the job dataset that influences the price of the job; performing an iteration to compute a prediction error for each job in the job dataset that influences the price of the job; removing one or more jobs from a subsequent iteration that include prediction errors that exceed a prediction error threshold; and performing a plurality of iterations on remaining jobs until a predetermined average error prediction is reached. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218939 | TRANSLATION SUPPORT APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A translation support apparatus manages a series of processes related to a translation work of an original text and a proofreading work of a translation. A payable translation fee may be calculated by subtracting a reduction fee calculated based on a proofread record and a reduction fee table from a prescribed translation fee calculated based on the translation and a prescribed translation fee table. | 09-08-2011 |
20110238596 | TRANSACTION INFORMATION ROUTING - Apparatus and methods for routing transaction information. The apparatus and methods may involve using receiving the transaction information; retrieving from computer readable memory: (a) a transaction information routing rule; and (b) transaction service provider information; and formulating routing information based on the transaction information, the transaction service provider information and the routing rule. The apparatus and methods may identify prospective recipients, among participants in a transaction, for receipt of the transaction information. | 09-29-2011 |
20110246395 | Method and Apparatus For Welding Cost Calculator - A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator. | 10-06-2011 |
20110258143 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM TO ESTIMATE COST OF DISTRIBUTING SOFTWARE - System and computer program product for estimating the cost of an ESD for software and subsequent updates for the software. Various cost factors can be considered such as one or more of the following. First program instructions determine a cost of the ESD associated with packaging together components of the software. Second program instructions receive a selection from an operator whether to push or pull the subsequent updates to a customer, and determine a cost for distributing the subsequent updates based on the selection. Third program instructions estimate a cost of the ESD associated with a type of program used by the customer to create images of the software. Fourth program instructions estimate a cost of the subsequent updates associated with distributing the updates to a remote distribution site, and then distributing the updates from the remote distribution site to the customer based on a type of customer tool used to download the updates from the remote distribution site. Fifth program instructions sum together the various costs. | 10-20-2011 |
20110276518 | FEE MODELS BASED ON PLUG-IN USE - A method and apparatus for calculating fees charged to users based on the plug-in use is disclosed. An application framework is provided as an extensible software platform. Users may integrate plug-in components into the application framework. Each plug-in component may identify a fee model defining how charges are assessed for using the plug-in. An auditing component, calculates the fees charged to each user of the customized application framework based on the features of the application framework and the plug-in use made by each individual user. | 11-10-2011 |
20110313950 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGEMENT OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS UTILIZING VOLUME PRICING - Methods and apparatus for flexible management of applications and volume pricing models provided by one or more application service providers and accessible to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system registers new applications by recording in a database application information and a volume pricing model provided by the application service provider. Client devices may then request a menu of all available applications and may subscribe to one or more provided applications by interaction with the management system. The management system receives usage information from the service provider for usage of a subscribed application by the client device. The management system records the usage information and may produce reports upon request from the recorded usage information. Reports for accumulated usage and related charges may then be generated based on the usage information and the volume pricing model. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313951 | Vehicle Repair Cost Estimate Acquisition System and Method - A computer-based method for obtaining repair estimates for a vehicle, and a related network server, are provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle identification number (VIN) over a network from a customer computer, retrieving vehicle information, associated with the VIN, from a database, sending the vehicle information and a graphical representation of the vehicle, including a plurality of selectable vehicle damage locations, over the network to the customer computer, receiving a selection of at least one vehicle damage location over the network from the customer computer, receiving at least one image of the vehicle over the network from the customer computer, storing the vehicle information, the selected damage location and the vehicle image as a repair job in a non-volatile memory or the database, and sending a notification, indicating that the new repair job is available for review, over the network to at least one repair provider computer. | 12-22-2011 |
20120016813 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A communication device includes: a communication unit that is configured to execute communication of data according to one of a plurality of bandwidth guarantees with different communication charges per time unit; and a selection unit that is configured to select a first bandwidth guarantee with the lowest communication charges required for communication of specific data, among the plurality of bandwidth guarantees, using a data size of the specific data when the communication of the specific data is to be executed, wherein the communication of the specific data is executed according to the selected first bandwidth guarantee. | 01-19-2012 |
20120030143 | CHARGING FOR DATA OFFLOADING - A method performed by a wireless node including receiving charging policies for data offloading; performing data offloading with respect to a user data flow; generating charging information associated with data offloading based on the charging policies; and sending the charging information to at least one of an on-line charging function or an off-line charging function. | 02-02-2012 |
20120036088 | Price display apparatus having bistable display panel and method thereof - The configurations of a price display apparatus and a method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed price display apparatus includes a bistable display panel displaying a selling price of an item. | 02-09-2012 |
20120036089 | System and Method for Dynamic, Real-Time Data Management and Processing to Facilitate Business Decisions - A system and method for integrating pricing components in real-time includes synthesizing a pricing formula obtained by eliciting relevant information from a user. The system and method may associate the pricing formula with identifiers representative of condition tables recognizable to an ERP pricing engine module such as, for example, an SAP pricing engine module or any other similar ERP component. The system and method may also associate coefficients, at least one surcharge, and at least one discount with an identifier representative of a condition type and transmitting/sending the coefficients, at least one surcharge and at least one discount via corresponding datastreams to the ERP pricing engine module. | 02-09-2012 |
20120036090 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DELIVERED PRICING - Embodiments of the invention relate to a system, method, computer product and computer system for providing delivered pricing for at least one product. The method comprises receiving at least one delivery zone; providing at least one order threshold for the at least one product, including freight costs, the threshold the at least one order threshold based at least in part on a product unit cost and a freight cost based on the received destination zone; receiving a product quantity selection; providing preliminary delivered pricing based at least in part on the received product quantity selection; determining whether the preliminary delivered pricing meets or exceeds the at least one order threshold; and providing a total order cost, wherein the total order cost includes, the delivered pricing for at least one product based at least in part on the at least one delivery zone. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041899 | DATA CENTER CUSTOMER COST DETERMINATION MECHANISMS - A data center management system may include a data center customer profile corresponding to a data center customer. The data center customer profile may include a data center resource usage model and a service level agreement (SLA). A data center resource optimization module may determine a data center resource allocation for the data center customer based on the data center customer profile. A data center customer cost determination module may determine a data center customer cost that represents a cost to the data center of providing data center resources to the data center customer. | 02-16-2012 |
20120047092 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PRESENTING AN INDICATION OF A COST OF PROCESSING A RESOURCE - Methods and systems are described for presenting an indication of a cost of processing a resource. Resource information is received that identifies a resource for processing by a hardware component in performing an operation. A measure of a processing cost is determined for the resource based on the operation, to provide an indication of a cost for processing the resource. Presentation information, based on the measure, is sent to present, via an output device, the indication corresponding to a user detectable representation of the resource. | 02-23-2012 |
20120059773 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING THE COST-PER-PAGE - A computer structured to calculate a cost-per-page for a fleet of printing devices. The computer is further structured to communicate with a device to output the cost-per-page to an operator. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059774 | ESTIMATE ASSISTING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING A PROGRAM EXECUTED BY A COMPUTER - An estimate assisting apparatus makes a temporary estimate upon receiving presented information regarding a certain service, issues an identification number corresponding to the presented information, obtains information regarding an alternative service corresponding to the certain service that is received by the temporary estimate, and generates an estimate request screen that includes information regarding the temporary estimate. A display control unit causes a display device to display the estimate request screen. An estimate providing unit makes an estimate and provides the estimate based upon information regarding a service selected on the estimate request screen and the presented information. | 03-08-2012 |
20120066152 | ESTIMATE ASSISTING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING A PROGRAM EXECUTED BY A COMPUTER - An estimate assisting apparatus includes an alternative storing unit that stores information regarding an alternative service corresponding to a certain service, a temporary estimate making unit to makes a temporary estimate on the basis of the certain service and other services that is determined through the telephone call, an alternative obtaining unit that obtains the information regarding the alternative service corresponding to the certain service from the alternative storing unit. A request screen generating unit that generates a request screen content which corresponds to the presented information and which displays information regarding the temporary estimate, a mail transmitting unit that transmits an estimate mail including the request screen content to a mail address of the client, and a request receiving unit that receives a request for a service by receiving the request mail which is transmitted using the request instructing unit and which includes estimate information. | 03-15-2012 |
20120072374 | RECORDING AND TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS - Computer systems facilitating requesting recordings and/or transcriptions of proceedings including computer-implemented price estimation for recording transcription services. | 03-22-2012 |
20120072375 | METHOD, SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR INSTANTLY ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF STITCHES FOR AN EMBROIDERED DESIGN - A method implemented on a computer having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for determining an estimated number of stitches for an embroidered design. The method includes uploading a file containing a design comprised of at least one of art and text; flattening the design into a flat file; determining a number of pixels that are non-transparent in the flat file; determining a percentage of non-transparent pixels in a total pixel area available for decorating; estimating a measurement of an area to be decorated using the percentage of non-transparent pixels; and determining the estimated the number of stitches in the design using the measurement of the area to be decorated. | 03-22-2012 |
20120072376 | OPTIMIZING A PRINTER SYSTEM IN CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LOAD - A print server selects a printer system to execute a print job received from a client, the printer system selected from among a plurality of printer systems connected to the network, the print server comprising a basic information acquiring section that acquires, at predetermining timing, unit price calculation basic information on printer systems in operation including at least information on environmental load information from at least one of the plurality of printer systems and external computers, a unit price calculating section that calculates a print unit price for each printer system based on the acquired unit price calculation basic information, a storage section that stores the calculated unit price in association with identification information for identifying the printer system and a sending section that sends the print unit prices and the identities of the printer systems associated with the calculated unit prices to the client. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078817 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNIFORMLY PRICING ITEMS - A computer-assisted method for uniformly pricing chargeable items in a healthcare provider's chargeable item database is disclosed. The method applies uniform pricing to identical or related chargeable items. A system for uniformly pricing related chargeable items is also disclosed. | 03-29-2012 |
20120084231 | Fiber Project Evaluation Tool and Related Methods, Graphical User Interfaces, and Computer-Readable Media - Fiber project evaluation tools and related methods, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and computer-readable media to provide and display cost estimates for a plurality of fiber solutions options that can be employed to deploy a fiber optic network for a fiber project are disclosed. Inputs are provided to allow a user to provide cost-related inputs to customize the cost estimates determined and displayed for the fiber solutions. In this manner, cost estimates can be provided for a variety of fiber solutions at the same time efficiently and visually in a GUI for efficient comparison purposes and to assist in making a choice on a fiber solution for a given fiber project. The cost estimates for the fiber solutions can also be generated and dynamically updated based on providing cost-related inputs to a user that affect the cost estimates for the fiber solutions in an iterative manner. | 04-05-2012 |
20120084232 | FLAT RATE PRICING WITH PACKET-FREQUENCY-AWARE BILLING SYSTEM FOR MOBILE BROADBAND COMMUNICATION - An information processing apparatus stores a first threshold of a common carrier, the common carrier charging according to the first threshold to be applied to a packet communication volume in each first unit period; performs a packet communication to and from a communication apparatus of the common carrier; calculates a packet communication volume in each second unit period shorter than the first unit period; and controls the packet communication based on the packet communication volume in the second unit period so as to keep the packet communication volume in the first unit period below the first threshold. | 04-05-2012 |
20120084233 | Technique for Producing Constructed Fares - A technique for producing constructed fares that include an arbitrary added to a published fare is described. The techniques determine interior cities that appear with gateway cities in arbitraries for the airline and searches for gateway cities corresponding to the determined interior cities appearing in the arbitraries. The technique applies an arbitrary corresponding to one of the interior cities to a published fare involving one of the gateway cities to produce the constructed fare. | 04-05-2012 |
20120089537 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RAIL VEHICLE RECONFIGURATION - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095940 | PRICING MECHANISMS FOR PERISHABLE TIME-VARYING RESOURCES - A price determination module (PDM) is described herein which defines price information for perishable resource items subject to variable supply and demand. The price information specifies pricing options for consideration by consumers. In one approach, the PDM provides a plurality of per-instant pricing options, where each pricing option defines a price for a resource item in a particular time instance. In another approach, the PDM provides a plurality of per-contract pricing options, where each pricing option defines a price for a resource item in a particular time segment. The PDM can determine the pricing options by formulating and solving an optimization problem, e.g., using a dynamic programming technique. The optimization problem can be constrained by either hard or soft capacity constraints. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095941 | Method and Apparatus For Welding Cost Calculator - A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator. | 04-19-2012 |
20120109851 | Providing Sensor-Application Services - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a sensor-application-service provider sensor data from sensors associated with persons. The method includes, based on a service information model at the sensor-application-service provider, determining whether the sensor data are valid and, for the sensor data that are valid applying to the sensor data one or more terms of one or more service agreements between the sensor-application-service provider and the persons associated with the sensor data, determining one or more amounts to bill or compensate the persons associated with the sensor data or others for processing of the sensor data at the sensor-application-service provider to provide a sensor-application service, and providing the sensor-application service to the persons associated with the sensor data or to others. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109852 | REACTIVE LOAD BALANCING FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS - The subject disclosure relates to load balancing systems and methods. In one embodiment, a reactive load balancer can receive feedback from a first database node, and allocate resources to the first database node based, at least, on the feedback. The feedback is dynamic and comprises information indicative of a load level at the first database node. In some embodiments, the feedback includes information indicative of a load level at a second, under loaded, database node. In other embodiments, load balancing is performed by an overloaded node polling a set of devices (e.g., cell phone, personal computer, PDA) at which resources may be available. Specifically, the method includes polling devices for resource availability at the devices, and receiving price information for resources provided by at least one device. The overloaded node utilizes the resource in response to providing payment of the price. Auction models or offer/counteroffer approaches can be employed. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109853 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRACKING SERVICES TO LOCATE AN ASSET - The present invention is directed to a method of asset location. Location data is received from a cellular transmitter associated with a selected asset, which location data includes data representative of a cellular receiver with which direct communication with the cellular transmitter is made. The location data is then communicated to a tracking service system, which tracking service system includes a database representative of geographic locations associated with a plurality of cellular receivers. The database is then queried with received location data so as to generate geographic tracking data associated with a location of the cellular receiver, the geographic tracking data including display data adapted to generate a map image including a representative of a location of the selected asset. The geographic tracking data is then communicated to an associated security agency so as to allow for viewing of an image generated in accordance with the display data and at least one of tracking and interception of the selected asset. | 05-03-2012 |
20120123969 | Methods and Processes of Road Use Evaluation and Regulation - Methods manage the damage of heavy road users on a municipal road network through the implementation of Road Use Agreements between municipalities and heavy road users. Specifically, methods accomplish one or more purposes including, but not limited to, quantifying the in situ traffic capacity of a road, the routine traffic using the road, and the depreciation caused by that traffic, determining whether a heavy road user is regulated, and measuring and quantifying road damages by heavy users versus the normal depreciation by routine traffic. Methods determine the cost share of damage liabilities for heavy road users versus the municipal liability for capital depreciation existing prior to the activities of the heavy road users and the damage of routine traffic using the road at the same time as a heavy road user or multiple heavy road users. Methods preferably provide a regulatory chart for one or more roads. | 05-17-2012 |
20120136809 | METHOD OF CREATING A PRICING SCHEDULE FOR USE BY A PRICING SYSTEM - A method of creating a per quantity price for an item for use by a price management system includes the step of utilizing a computer that includes relational database software. The method also includes the steps of determining a final price (FP) for the item and adjusting the FP by a slope quantity percent (SQP) that is based on a quantity of the item sold and on data stored on the computer to arrive at a pre-slope price (PSP). The method further includes the steps of identifying a benchmark price (BP) for the item, calculating a base quantity percent (BQP) for the item based on the PSP and BP, and providing the BQP for the item to the price management system for use in pricing orders for that item. | 05-31-2012 |
20120143786 | Onboard Unit and Method for Charging Occupant Number-Dependent Tolls for Vehicles - Onboard unit for charging occupant number-dependent tolls for a vehicle in the context of a road toll system, comprising a Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar that can be directed onto the vehicle interior for measuring movements and generating at least one measurement signal representing these; and an evaluation device, which is configured to detect signal patterns in the measurement signal that are typical for heart or respiratory activity of an occupant, to count those signal patterns which occur simultaneously at an observation time, and to calculate toll data as a function of that count value. | 06-07-2012 |
20120166360 | ROUTE OPTIMIZATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY ONE OR MORE SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR COMBINED LINKS - In one embodiment, two or more links, coupled to a first service provider (SP) that charges a price for utilization of services according to a first pricing structure, are combined to form a single virtual combined link. Each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and one or more other links, coupled to a second SP that charges a price for utilization of services according to a second pricing structure, are monitored to obtain link data. The link data for the two of more links of the virtual combined link is merged to form link data for the virtual combined link. Data distribution among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links is optimized to distribute data among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links in a manner that minimizes cost. | 06-28-2012 |
20120166361 | 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. | 06-28-2012 |
20120185413 | Specifying Physical Attributes of a Cloud Storage Device - Mechanisms are provided for creating a cloud storage device. A user interface is presented for selecting a type of physical storage devices, from a plurality of possible physical storage devices, to include in the cloud storage device and a quantity of a selected type of physical storage devices to include in the cloud storage device. User input is received via the interface specifying the selected type of physical storage devices and the quantity of the selected type of physical storage devices. A cloud storage device is generated comprising the specified quantity of the selected type of physical storage devices. The cloud storage device is presented for access by a client computing device associated with the user. | 07-19-2012 |
20120191628 | IP SERVICE PEERING MECHANISMS - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing advanced IP Service Peering is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a source and a content type associated with a data packet communicated from a first network to a peer network; determining whether the source is a registered peer service; identifying a quality of service level associated with the source in response to a determination that the source is a registered peer service; dynamically marking the data packet associated with the source with the quality of service level; and transmitting the data packet to the peer network, wherein the peer network communicates the data packet based on the quality of service level associated with the data packet. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197819 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes: an record information obtaining mechanism which obtains record information representing a provision destination of one predetermined electronic information property by a terminal device relating to a provider of the electronic information property; a comparing mechanism which compares record in provision of the electronic information property of a plurality of terminal devices by comparing the obtained record information based on a predetermined reference; and a provision scheme specifying mechanism which specifies a scheme, based on which the different electronic information property is provided to the terminal device, based on a comparison result. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197820 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING PRICING OPTIONS IN A CONSULTATION SYSTEM - In exemplary embodiments, an apparatus and method for providing pricing options in a consultation system is provided. In one embodiment, user input from a user is received. The user input is directed to a question the user intends to post to the consultation system. Pricing factors are determined in part from the user input. A pricing option is then determined by analyzing the pricing factors with pricing attribute data whereby the pricing attribute data may be based on current consultation system dynamics, user history, and completed transactions on the consultation system. The determined pricing option is presented. | 08-02-2012 |
20120209792 | BIOLOGICAL DATABASE INCORPORATING CONTENT-PROVIDER PAYMENT MECHANISM - Systems and methods are used to provide an aggregated genomic information database and compensate contributors. Genomic data and contributor data are received from a contributor client device and stored in an electronic database using a server computer. A linkage between the genomic data and other genomic data stored in the electronic database is determined and the linkage is stored in the electronic database using the server computer. A request for the genomic data from a user client device is received, the genomic data and the linkage are retrieved from the electronic database, and the genomic data and the linkage are sent to the user client device using the server computer. A compensation amount value for the genomic data is calculated and sent to the contributor client device using the server computer. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215723 | DETERMINING COSTS FOR WORKFLOWS - Techniques are disclosed for modeling costs when editing a workflow process model. A request may be received to assign a cost factor to a workflow process step of the workflow process model. Responsive to the request, the cost factor may be assigned to the workflow process step, such that a traversal of the workflow process step by a transaction invoking the workflow process model results in the cost factor being included in a total cost to be charged for executing the transaction. | 08-23-2012 |
20120215724 | INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDED DATA SHARE PLATFORM - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for an institution provided data share platform. The institution provided data share platform allows customers and commercial partners to access data the institution may have. Specific platform data access may be limited and/or monitored by the institution to ensure customer safety and privacy compliance. Allowing access to the institution data provides a customer the means to create customized applications utilizing the data in combination with data provided by the customer. In return for access to the platform, the institution may recover fees based on the application the customer creates. | 08-23-2012 |
20120221490 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM TO ESTIMATE COST OF DISTRIBUTING SOFTWARE - Estimating the cost of an ESD for software and subsequent updates for the software. First program instructions determine a cost of the ESD associated with packaging together components of the software. Second program instructions receive a selection from an operator whether to push or pull the subsequent updates to a customer, and determine a cost for distributing the subsequent updates based on the selection. Third program instructions estimate a cost of the ESD associated with a type of program used by the customer to create images of the software. Fourth program instructions estimate a cost of the subsequent updates associated with distributing the updates to a remote distribution site. | 08-30-2012 |
20120254071 | TEXT MINING SYSTEM, TEXT MINING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Disclosed are a text mining system, text mining method, and recording medium for suppressing increase in cost of analysis for an analyst even if, when analyzing a plurality of data to be analyzed, the data are to be integrally analyzed. The text mining system comprises a data set generation unit for generating a data set to be analyzed that includes data to be analyzed that include text data; and a data set search unit for searching for a data set to be analyzed of which the feature representation coverage exceeds a value given beforehand, or the cost of analysis does not exceed a value given beforehand from data sets to be analyzed generated by the data set generation unit; wherein the feature representation coverage is the ratio of the number of feature representations included in a feature representation list which is a group of feature representations, which are representations satisfying predetermined conditions from text data within the data set to be analyzed, to the number of feature representations in all data to be analyzed; and the cost of analysis is defined on the basis of the number of feature representations included in the data set to be analyzed. | 10-04-2012 |
20120265711 | Systems and Methods for Determining a Risk-Reduced Word Price for Editing - Systems and methods for determining a risk-reduced word price for editing. The editing can be of a document, for example, that has been translated by a human or a machine. A system and method may include providing to one or more preferred editors a first portion of editing jobs from a batch job. In some aspects, the system and method may include receiving an editing time of the one or more preferred editors editing the first portion of editing jobs. In further aspects, the system and method can include calculating a word price for editing a remaining portion of editing jobs of the batch job based on the editing time. | 10-18-2012 |
20120284208 | Systems and/or Methods For Delivering Notifications On A Communications Network - Embodiments described herein relate to sending notifications over mobile communications networks. At least one node in a communications network tracks resource usage. A consumption rate is calculated based on the track resource usage and is compared against another consumption rate. A notification message is triggered based on the comparison. A notification message is sent to a user equipment device based on the triggered event. Certain embodiments suppress notification messages based on notification criteria. | 11-08-2012 |
20120296852 | DETERMINING WORKLOAD COST - A method of determining a workload cost is provided herein. The method includes determining a direct consumption of a resource pool by a workload. The method also includes determining a burstiness for the workload and the resource pool. The burstiness comprises a difference between a peak consumption of the resource pool by the workload, and the direct consumption of the resource pool. The method further includes determining an unallocated amount of the resource pool. Additionally, the method includes determining the workload cost based on the direct consumption, the burstiness, and the unallocated amount of the resource pool. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296853 | METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COSTING AND PLANNING THE RE-HOSTING OF COMPUTER-BASED APPLICATIONS - A computer-implemented method and program product for estimating cost and/or time requirements for migrating an application from one platform to another. The method includes receiving identifications for tasks, receiving at least one assessment type selected for estimating cost and/or time requirement for migration, where the assessment type delineates a degree of accuracy for estimating the cost and/or time requirement for migration, correlating base costs and/or time requirements to the tasks identified, receiving identifications of attributes that affect base costs and/or time requirements, correlating cost and/or time factors to the tasks, a respective cost factor and/or time factor indicating an amount by which an attribute affects the respective base cost and/or time requirement for a task, and estimating cost and/or time requirements for each task, by applying the respective cost and/or time factors for each task to the respective base cost and/or base time requirements for each task. | 11-22-2012 |
20120303552 | TECHNIQUES TO TRACK USERS AND USER METRICS FOR A WEBSITE - Techniques to track users and user metrics for a website are described. For example, one embodiments may include identifying one or more users of a website, tracking one or more activities for each user, generating a database arranged to store the one or more activities for each user, and calculating one or more user metrics based on the stored activities, wherein the user metrics comprise one or more of a user value, content value, product value, service value or campaign value. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 11-29-2012 |
20120323821 | METHODS FOR BILLING FOR DATA STORAGE IN A TIERED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a method for determining pricing for data storage includes receiving from a data provider a request indicating an amount of data storage space in at least one of one or more tiers of data storage, receiving data from the data provider to store in the at least one of the one or more tiers of data storage, storing the data provider's data in the at least one of the one or more tiers of data storage, and calculating a base price for storage of the data provider's data. In another embodiment, a tiered storage system includes a processor, a memory, logic adapted for determining an amount of a data provider's data in each of at least two tiers of data storage, and logic adapted for calculating a price for storage of the data provider's data. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323822 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE ITEM PRICING - In various example embodiments, systems and methods to adaptively price items are provided. In example embodiments, an item to be priced is identified. Once identified, historical data and inventory data assocoated with the identified item are accessed. Using the historical data and inventory data, at least one recommended price for the item based on the historical data and inventory data is determined. The recommended price may be provided to a user for approval. Alternatively or in addition, the recommended price may be used as a price in a newly created item listing or the recommended price may be used as a new price in revising a price in an existing item listing. | 12-20-2012 |
20120330863 | System and Method for Sharing Malware Analysis Results - In certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes accessing information related to a first file determined to satisfy at least one of a plurality of suspected malware conditions. A first of a number of manager consoles may access the information, each manager console being communicatively coupled to a respective network of a number of networks. A request may be generated for a determination of whether the first file comprises malware. The determination may be conducted at a master manager console. Data may be accessed indicating a result, outputted by the master manager console, of the determination of whether the first file comprises malware. A sharing policy may be accessed and used to determine whether the result is sharable with a second one of the manager consoles. If the result is sharable, a message comprising the result may be generated to be sent to the second manager console. | 12-27-2012 |
20130006894 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING THE COST-PER-UNIT OF INK - A computer receives information about ink usage by a printing device over a period of time. The computer calculates a cost-per-unit of ink for the printing device based on a cost of printer sustainment and based on the ink usage information. The computer may output the cost-per-unit of ink on an external device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130013533 | 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 |
20130018820 | Fare Invalidation Auditing SystemAANM LANDRA; CorinneAACI Le RouretAACO FRAAGP LANDRA; Corinne Le Rouret FRAANM DOURTHE; CedricAACI NiceAACO FRAAGP DOURTHE; Cedric Nice FRAANM CAMBERBEC; AurelieAACI GrasseAACO FRAAGP CAMBERBEC; Aurelie Grasse FR - Disclosed is a method to operate a pricing engine in response to a request to price a travel product. The method includes processing fare-related data and, in response to the pricing engine invalidating a fare in the fare-related data, automatically invoking an invalidation handler for storing information in an invalidation log associated with the invalidated fare, including a reason for the fare being invalidated. The method further includes processing the information stored in the invalidation log in conjunction with other information and storing in a data repository at least one consolidated view configured to display to a user information descriptive of at least one reason why the fare was invalidated. | 01-17-2013 |
20130024400 | ADVANCED MODELING OF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD COSTS - A total cost estimate is calculated based on a set of printed circuit board (PCB) design parameters. The set of PCB design parameters are received, and PCB attributes are extracted from them. Based on the PCB attributes the PCB is classified and a cost equation is calculated. The cost equation is calculated based on a regression analysis of one or more of the PCB attributes. Once the cost equation is calculated, the total cost is computed based on the cost equation. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024401 | Apparatus and Method to Store Information - A data storage facility comprising a plurality of data storage media, an automated data storage library comprising a first plurality of storage cells, one or more data storage devices in communication with the controller, and a controller in communication with one or more host computers, a vault comprising a second plurality of storage cells, wherein the vault does not comprise any data storage devices, and a robotic accessor in communication with the controller, wherein the accessor comprises a gripper mechanism, and wherein the robotic accessor can bidirectionally transport each of the plurality of portable data storage media between the first plurality of storage cells and the one or more data storage devices. | 01-24-2013 |
20130031028 | Exchange System Supporting Cloud Computing - A cloud exchange system processes transactions for cloud computing services. Cloud resources may be viewed as commodities, in which cloud customers may be dependent on cloud providers to provide hosted centralized computer facilities. The cloud customer may move computing services in the form of one or more virtual machines by buying a contract that specifies the cloud services and is purchased through the cloud exchange system. The cloud exchange system may receive a request from the cloud customer and an offer from a cloud provider for a cloud service and may match the request and the offer to obtain matched attributes. One of the available contracts may be selected by the cloud exchange system based on the matched attributes of the request and the offer, where the selected contract specifies the cloud service. A transaction charge for the transaction may be determined from at least one of the matched attributes. | 01-31-2013 |
20130046711 | System and Method to Determine Airline Baggage Allowance and Calculate Airline Baggage Fee - A system and method are provided to process a traveler's profile, itinerary, airfare ticket data, and baggage details to determine baggage allowance and calculate applicable baggage fees based on the rules provided by one or more airline. The system automatically determines how to best associate each bag to an individual traveler so that a party of multiple travelers pays the lowest possible baggage fees. | 02-21-2013 |
20130054491 | COST OPTIMIZED SOLUTION FOR A PRINT ORDER - One example discloses a system comprising a memory for storing machine readable instructions and a processing unit for accessing the memory and executing the machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions can comprise a print order hub to determine a cost optimized solution for fulfilling a print order. The determination of the cost optimize solution can be based on a calculation of a price charged for preparing material for the print order and shipping the material for the print order to a destination identified in the print order for a plurality of print service providers. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054492 | DETERMINING AN OPTION FOR DECOMMISSIONING OR CONSOLIDATING SOFTWARE - Embodiments include a computer system, method and program product for managing a software program installed on a computer hardware system, the software program subject to a software license. A retrieval of data is performed in which the data indicates actual usage of the software program and the computer hardware system, and processor power of the computer hardware system. In addition, a retrieval of licensing data from the software license is performed in which the licensing data indicates a permitted number of or fee for installations of the software program and a permitted amount of or fee for processor power of the computer hardware system in which the software program is installed. Whether to decommission a copy of the software program based on the data indicating actual usage, the licensing data, a projected amount of future usage of the software program, and criticality of the software program is determined and reported. | 02-28-2013 |
20130060718 | TOOLING DESIGN PRICE QUOTATION IN PRODUCT DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - Methods for product data management (PDM) and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a strip layout for a part and retrieving strip information corresponding to the strip layout. The method includes receiving a die base design for the part and receiving toolset information for the part. The method includes receiving pricing information corresponding to the toolset information, strip information, and die base design. The method includes producing a quotation output based on the pricing information, toolset information, strip information, and die base design. | 03-07-2013 |
20130066812 | SOLID IDENTIFICATION GRID ENGINE FOR CALCULATING SUPPORT MATERIAL VOLUMES, AND METHODS OF USE - A method for calculating a support material volume, the method comprising generating a grid of cells for a tree data structure of a digital part, where the cells define a plurality of cell arrays, and pinging the cells of one of the cell arrays until a cell containing a subset of the tree data structure is reached or until each cell in the cell array is pinged, where if a cell containing the subset of the tree data structure is reached, then designating the reached cell and all remaining unpinged cells in the cell array as filled. The method also includes repeating the pinging step for each remaining cell array to determine a total filled volume, and subtracting a volume of the digital part from the total filled volume to determine a support material volume. | 03-14-2013 |
20130085968 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE MOBILE PRINTING - An approach is provided for secured mobile printing. A printing platform receives a printing request, generates authenticating information associated with the print request, and sends the authenticating information to a mobile device for retrieval of printed materials generated in response to the printing request. | 04-04-2013 |
20130097099 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BILLING BASED ON COLOR COMPONENT HISTOGRAMS - Disclosed is a processor-implemented method for processing images. The processor receives image data of a color space defined by input provided to a system by a user, determines at least one color attribute of the pixels in the received image correlating to at least perceptual image characteristics, determines statistics using the attribute(s), and analyzes the statistics to classify the image into a category. Based on at least the category, a billing structure for the image is determined. For example, chroma and/or hue of pixels can be used to create histograms, whose data is used to determine a degree of color and/or content of an image, which is categorized. Color space components of received pixels can also be statistically analyzed. Such determinations consider billing based on human perception of use of color. Billing for color images in this manner satisfies the user and increases use of color output (e.g., printing). | 04-18-2013 |
20130132306 | GAME SYSTEM, AND A STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND SERVER APPARATUS THEREFOR - A game system capable of calculating fees appropriate for a usage state is provided. The game system ( | 05-23-2013 |
20130144809 | IMMEDIATE LICENSE FOR MEDIA FILE - One example embodiment includes a method of licensing a media file. The method includes allowing a licensee to select a media file. The method also includes producing a licensing agreement. The method further includes granting the licensee access to the media file. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144810 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING A VALIDATION INSTRUCTION MESSAGE - A computer-implemented system for providing validation instructions to European attorneys. The computer system is designed to send a validation instruction message to a number of European attorneys, asking them to validate a granted European patent. The computer system is designed to communicate with an interface, a specification database and a number of European agents. The system is set up so that when the computer system receives a European patent identifier and a country selection via the interface, the computer system: (a) obtains, from the specification database, a European patent specification corresponding to the European patent identifier; and (b) provides the European patent specification and a validation instruction message to a particular European agent corresponding to the country selection. The system is further adapted to calculate and bill the total validation cost up-front. | 06-06-2013 |
20130159217 | ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIVE BEHAVIORAL FINGERPRINTING - Disclosed herein are example embodiments for environmentally-responsive behavioral fingerprinting. For certain example embodiments, one or more devices may: (i) obtain at least one environmental parameter relating to an event to potentially occur in conjunction with at least one user device; or (ii) perform at least one analysis for the event based at least partially on the at least one environmental parameter and at least partially on at least one utilization indicator of a behavioral fingerprint that is associated with the at least one user device. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth. | 06-20-2013 |
20130159218 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An information processing apparatus outputs a manufacturing cost and a CO | 06-20-2013 |
20130166477 | BILLING METHOD FOR COPY PATH IMAGES - Disclosed is a processor-implemented method for processing image data of a document using an apparatus. The processor determines pixel classifications and counts for each classification, classifies the image, selects a billing tier for which to bill the image, determines counts of pixels for marking to output the image (e.g., in device dependent space), and then can adjust from the selected billing tier to a different billing tier based on the image classification (e.g., and/or using determined counts of pixels for each classification and determined counts of pixels for marking). Counts of pixels can be adjusted using an offset, or calculated using a combination of the determined counts (e.g., combining counts from both independent and dependent spaces). By adjusting the tier at which to bill data, more accurate billing can be implemented for documents with contone or grayscale image data, for example, with greater customer satisfaction. | 06-27-2013 |
20130166478 | Content Management Apparatus - When modification information acquired by an acquisition unit indicates that content is a modification of other content, a computation unit calculates charge of the content by summing a charge of the other content and a price of the content and stores charge information indicating the calculated charge in a storage unit in correspondence to the content. When the modification information corresponding to used content indicates that the used content is a modification of other content, an addition unit adds a price of the other content to a distributed amount allocated to a creator who creates the other content. | 06-27-2013 |
20130173497 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING NEW DOMAINS - Systems and methods for creating a new domain, such as a top-level domain or a second-level domain, make use of a Domain Manager that enables a user to enter data that is necessary or optional to implement the creation of a new domain. Systems such as, for example, a Registry and one or more Registrars, may use the data defined by the Domain Manager to create a new domain. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173498 | CALCULATION OF ACCURATE COSTS OF TRANSFERS BETWEEN COST GROUPS - Various arrangements for calculating costs of transferable items in accordance with an iterative periodic average costing model are presented. Indications of a plurality of transfers of transferable items among cost groups of a plurality of cost groups may be received. A plurality of matrices may be created. Elements of each matrix may correspond to iterative periodic average costing equations evaluated for the infinite iteration using the plurality of transfers of transferable items among cost groups and the plurality of cost groups. The cost of each transferable item within each cost group of the plurality of cost groups may be calculated using the plurality of matrices having the elements of each matrix corresponding to the iterative periodic average costing equations evaluated for the infinite iteration. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173499 | ROBUST CLOUD COMPUTING E-DISCOVERY PLATFORM - System, method, and computer program product are provided for a robust cloud computing e-discovery platform (RCCEP). The RCCEP program allows users to select different applications from different vendors for each phase of e-discovery. A cloud may be populated by vendors supplying e-discovery resources. Once the cloud is populated, users may, in some embodiments, opt-in to access the cloud. In other embodiments, the cloud may be provided to the user privately. The user may access the vendor e-discovery resources that are on the cloud based on the phase of e-discovery the user. In this way, the user may select one vendor's e-discovery resource to use for one phase of e-discovery and subsequently select a different vendor's e-discovery resource for a second phase of e-discovery. This invention provides an enterprise-wide e-discovery technology solution that encompasses the best of all vendors' systems in all phases of the e-discovery process. | 07-04-2013 |
20130179370 | REPRODUCING COPYRIGHTED WORKS WITH CONTENTS EXTRACTION - A method and program for reproducing copyrighted works with contents extraction to reduce copyright costs, including the steps of designating contents of a copyrighted work desired to be reproduced, extracting into a digital file portions of the copyrighted work containing the designated contents, editing the extracted portions if a format of the digital file allows for such editing to change a quantitative basis for calculating copyright fees for reproducing the desired contents of the copyrighted work, and calculating copyright fees for reproducing the desired contents of the copyrighted work based at least in part on the changed quantitative basis. | 07-11-2013 |
20130179371 | SCHEDULING COMPUTING JOBS BASED ON VALUE - A plurality of requests for execution of computing jobs on one or more devices that include a plurality of computing resources may be obtained, the one or more devices configured to flexibly allocate the plurality of computing resources, each of the computing jobs including job completion values representing a worth to a respective user that is associated with execution completion times of each respective computing job. The computing resources may be scheduled based on the job completion values associated with each respective computing job. | 07-11-2013 |
20130179372 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC PROVISIONING OF APPLICATIONS - A method and system for automatic provisioning of applications are described herein. The method can include the step of offering a plurality of applications for download to electronic devices in which each of at least some of the applications may be formatted for one of a plurality of operating environments. The method can also include the steps of receiving a request for at least one application in which the request can be associated with a first electronic device and selecting an application for delivery to the first electronic device. The selected application can be an application that may be formatted for the operating environment of the first electronic device and may be among the offered applications that are formatted for differing operating environments. | 07-11-2013 |
20130198112 | Capacity Management Methods and Systems - An exemplary method includes a capacity management subsystem 1) receiving identification of a first computing subsystem included in a plurality of computing subsystems, 2) receiving identification of a plurality of services provided by the first computing subsystem, the plurality of services utilized in a product flow for providing a product to end users, 3) receiving data defining, for each service included in the plurality of services, an apportioned capacity of the first computing subsystem to provide the service, wherein each apportioned capacity of the first computing subsystem comprises a portion of an overall resource capacity of the first computing subsystem, 4) receiving data defining an overall operating cost of the first computing subsystem, and 5) determining an operating cost of providing each service included in the plurality of services by the first computing subsystem. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 08-01-2013 |
20130218810 | 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. | 08-22-2013 |
20130232092 | SEARCHING TRAVEL ROUTES USING REFINED TRIP PRICES - For each market (defined by a pair of origin and destination cities) that the fare is used for travel, the methods calculate its price (both direct and with add-ons) and its estimated or refined price, which includes YQYR fees, among other fees. The methods then select the top routings along with the best fares on each routing and store them in a database. When a user starts a search query, the methods use the aforementioned database to find the best routings. Solutions with minimal pricing are identified, and a list of fares for each routing is prepared for the user. | 09-05-2013 |
20130246311 | SPONSORING RESOURCE DOWNLOADS - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for providing content. The method comprises receiving a request from a mobile device to load a resource and determining a transmission cost for loading the resource over a metered network. The method further comprises identifying sponsored content items for delivery with the resource, the sponsored content items being included in slots for presentation along with third-party content associated with the resource, each sponsored content item having an associated bid that represents an amount that will be paid by the sponsor for presentation of a given sponsored content item. The method further comprises determining a credit to be awarded toward load costs based on the bid, and providing a label that indicates a reduced cost to load the resource when a load of a resource is partially or entirely sponsored based on the credit. | 09-19-2013 |
20130246312 | PROVIDING INFORMATION PRIOR TO DOWNLOADING RESOURCES - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for providing the search results. The method comprises receiving a query from a client device. The method further comprises responsive to the query, identifying, using one or more processors, search results including one or more resources. The method further comprises for at least one resource of search results, determining, using the one or more processors, a size of a data transfer required to access the one resource. The method further comprises providing the search results to the client device including providing a label associated with the one resource indicative of the size. | 09-19-2013 |
20130268462 | METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ONLINE AND PRINTING ON-DEMAND COMPILATION OF WORKS WITH PER OBJECT PRICING FOR COPYRIGHT METADATA - A method and related apparatus for producing a compilation of works, including the steps of generating an excerpt from a work that has an associated original copyright metadata, creating an additional copyright metadata with per object pricing for objects of the excerpt, and associating the original copyright metadata and the additional copyright metadata with the excerpt. | 10-10-2013 |
20130268463 | Smoothing Power Output From a Wind Farm - A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for determining consistent wind power output. The method includes obtaining forecasted wind power production, actual wind power production from a wind power producer, a variable price of power measurement, a power storage battery state and capacity measurement, and a penalty measurement for wind power change of rate, and analyzing the forecasted wind power production, the variable price of power measurement, the power storage battery state and capacity measurement, and the penalty measurement for wind power change of rate to determine a consistent rate at which wind power is to be exported from the wind power producer to a grid. | 10-10-2013 |
20130275342 | INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR NUTRITIONAL SUBSTANCES - Disclosed herein is a information system for nutritional substances. The information system obtains information regarding a nutritional substance from the creation of the nutritional substance, the preservation of the nutritional substance, the transformation of the nutritional substance, the conditioning of the nutritional substance, and the consumption of the nutritional substances. The information system stores and provides this information to the various constituents of the nutritional substance supply system. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275343 | Information System for Nutritional Substances - Disclosed herein is an information system regarding nutritional substances. The nutritional substance information system collects, stores, tracks, and transmits information regarding the creation, preservation, transformation, conditioning and consumption of nutritional substances, and correlates such information with various organizations, entities, industries, and governments outside the nutritional substance supply systems, so as to optimize the production of nutritional substances, as well as optimize the consumption of nutritional substances. | 10-17-2013 |
20130290220 | ITERATIVE PACKING OPTIMIZATION - An iterative method and system for performing the method are described that implement a technique to fit irregularly shaped items into a defined space. In particular, one example may take the form of a method including predetermining one or more layouts for a defined space. Each layout has a plurality of shapes. The method also includes receiving a set having a plurality of items and determining one or more configurations formed by assigning to each shape in the layout an item from the set. The items match the shapes to which they are assigned. Additionally, the method includes scoring each configuration and selecting one configuration based at least in part upon the scoring. | 10-31-2013 |
20130297535 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING CLOUD-BASED REPOSITORIES BASED ON LOCATION INFORMATION - An approach is provided for presenting cloud-based repositories based on location information. The cloud-based storage platform determines location information associated with one or more cloud-based repositories that include data associated with at least one user. Next, the cloud-based storage platform causes, at least in part, a presentation of a user interface depicting one or more representations of the one or more cloud-based repositories based, at least in part, on the location information. | 11-07-2013 |
20130311403 | CONTONE DOMAIN COLOR PIXEL COUNTING FOR COLOR AREA COVERAGE BASED BILLING - Disclosed herein are a method and a system implementing the method for billing using color pixel counting in documents or image in the contone domain. The method includes using the intensity or density levels (e.g., 0 to 255) for each color of each pixel of interest in the contone domain to calculate one or more probability values that one or more output colorants are provided at its location in the binary domain. The probabilities determined based on the contone color domain data are used to estimate an overall area coverage of color pixels in the document, which can be used to determine a billing structure or cost for outputting the document. | 11-21-2013 |
20130325753 | Comprehensive and standardized method of estimating pricing for repair of automobile dent damage by Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) and/or Push-to-Paint (PTP) techniques - A computer-based system, method and computer program product for estimating the repair costs for paintless dent removal and ready-to-paint dent repair for irregular dents in automobiles, which includes a user interface, a dent estimator database and computer program that matches variable information received from a user with corresponding values in the dent estimator database and calculates an estimated cost for repair of dents on an automobile. The system, method and product allows an untrained person to accurately estimate the cost of paintless dent repair for irregular shaped dents. | 12-05-2013 |
20130332395 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CONTENTS PRICE - A contents price managing method includes providing contents information including a contents price to a first device; if contents corresponding to the provided contents information is output using the first device, calculating a contents usage fee for the first device based on the contents price and an output length of the contents that is output through the first device. The method may further include updating the contents price based on the output length of the contents; and providing contents information including the updated contents price to a second device. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332396 | MANIPULATION OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PRICING STRUCTURES - A pricing component generates a user interface that allows a user to select dimensions that are to be considered in generating pricing information. The dimensions can be set in a precedence hierarchy so the user can identify which dimensions are used, and the order of evaluation of a price according to those dimensions. Once the user wishes to begin setting the pricing according to the selected dimensions, the pricing component generates another user interface display in order to allow the user to begin setting the prices for combinations of specified dimension values. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332397 | METHOD FOR LOCATING A LEAK IN A FLUID NETWORK - Methods and systems are described for providing cost effective leak detection in a fluid network. Step testing procedures are represented by decision trees and associated expected costs are calculated. Selection of step testing procedures is optimized for low expected cost. The total expected cost rate for a network configuration may be calculated from the rate of leak occurrence and the optimal expected costs associated therewith. Network configuration changes may be recommended by optimizing for total expected cost rate for a fluid network. | 12-12-2013 |
20140067723 | OPTIMIZING LANGUAGE TRANSLATION ORDERS AND AUTOMATING FULFILLMENT - A method includes, in a network of interconnected computers, each of the computers including at least a processor and a memory, receiving in a server linked to the network a set of specifications to meet a requester's language translation needs, the set generated in a client system linked to the network or directly in the server via an appropriate User Interface, in the server, receiving one or more documents from the client system, in the server, analyzing the received set of specifications and the received one or more documents, in the server, generating a tentative optimum translation service solution for the requester according to the analyzed set of specifications, in the server, organizing the most effective translation process suitable to the requester's specifications, and in the server, returning one or more translated documents to the requester in an acceptable format. | 03-06-2014 |
20140101075 | SALES PRICE MANAGEMENT DEVICE, SALES PRICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SALES PRICE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND SALES PRICE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - An input unit ( | 04-10-2014 |
20140122374 | COST EXPLORATION OF DATA SHARING IN THE CLOUD - A method to facilitate data sharing for cloud applications includes determining one or more cost levers for a cloud service provider to share data among applications; determining a costing function that considers a resource cost of creating and maintaining the sharing, potential penalties to be paid if a service level agreement (SLA) is breached by the cloud service provider, and overprovisioning of services from the provider; and interactively answering what-if questions on pricing of services to allow a consumer to explore the cost of data sharing from the provider. | 05-01-2014 |
20140129483 | System and Method of Determining Access to a Cloud Service - The present invention provides a method of predicting usage of and determining access to a cloud service according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes the step of monitoring the usage of a service by end users of developers for a predetermined test period. Responsive to statistics associated with the monitoring during the predetermined test period, the method includes determining a future usage payment cost for the developers. Responsive to verification of a unique ID, the method includes performing the service by a service provider. | 05-08-2014 |
20140149320 | CONSISTENT PRICE OPTIMIZATION IN TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS - A system and method is provided for consistent price optimization in multi-modal transportation networks. A corridor is constructed for each origin-destination pair of a transportation network based on one or more parameters. Monotonicity constraints and triangle constraints are generated for each origin-destination pair. An objective function is constructed and convexified using point-price elasticity for consistent price optimization. The one or more parameters and coefficients for a mathematical optimization program are then computed and the mathematical optimization problem is solved for a consistent optimal pricing scheme. | 05-29-2014 |
20140188766 | TRACKING CONTENT THROUGH SERIAL PRESENTATION - Computer systems, methods, and computer program products for tracking content using serial presentation are disclosed. Some embodiments track an aggregated quantity of words displayed by Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSPV) in a digital media item across a plurality of user electronic devices. Some embodiments track what words are displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments track a percentage of words displayed by RSVP across a plurality of user sessions. Some embodiments track trends in the percentage of words displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments use RSVP tracking and trending information to enhance search results. Some embodiments analyze RSVP consumption across a plurality of sessions to determine opportunities for improving content consumption and improving selection of sub-content items. These and other embodiments are further disclosed herein. | 07-03-2014 |
20140214726 | INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DEVICE, NETWORK SYSTEM, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT METHOD - An information management device has a provision condition storage unit in which, for each sensor, provision condition information of sensing data generated by a sensor is registered in association with identification information of the sensor, a use condition storage unit in which, for each application that requires use of the sensing data, use condition information of the sensing data required by an application is registered in association with an address of a transmission destination of the sensing data, a sensing data acquisition unit that acquires through communication the sensing data generated by the sensor registered in the provision condition storage unit, and a specification unit that specifies the provision condition information matched with the use condition information by searching the provision condition storage unit for each piece of the use condition information registered in the use condition storage unit. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222718 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An information processing system includes an obtaining unit, a first storage unit, and a usage value converter. The obtaining unit obtains, from a service provider, fourth information including first to third information pieces. The first information indicates a type of the service, the second information identifies a user, and the third information indicates a usage situation of the service. The first storage unit stores therein fifth information indicating a type of an output format of the third information associated with each piece of the first information. The usage value converter converts the third information included in the fourth information to a usage value indicating a usage frequency of the service based on the fifth information corresponding to the first information included in the fourth information and associates the first and second information pieces included in the fourth information with the usage value to register them in a second storage unit. | 08-07-2014 |
20140244545 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A system includes circuitry configured to identify an accumulated amount of service that has been provided by a service, and determine whether to restrict access to a software resource provided by the service based on the accumulated amount of service. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244546 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING DRUG PRICING INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS (PBMS) - A system according to certain aspects of the disclosure provides drug pricing information from multiple PBMs to users. For example, the system may obtain, calculate, and/or estimate drug prices that are available under contracts or agreements between PBMs and various pharmacies. These prices may be prices of drugs for purchase at the various pharmacies. In response to requests for prices of particular drugs, the system can display relevant prices. For example, the system displays a price for each pharmacy chain and/or displays prices for a particular geographical area. The users can compare the prices for a particular drug and determine which pharmacy they would like to purchase the drug from. The system can provide a discount coupon that allows the users to purchase the drug at the price listed by the system at the selected pharmacy. | 08-28-2014 |
20140279706 | PRINT-ON-DEMAND AUTHORIZATION AND RETRIEVAL FOR THIRD PARTY PRINT SHOPS USING STANDARDIZED TWO-DIMENSIONAL BARCODE LOOK-UP - A method for managing printing a hard copy of a work from a digital copy of the work, including the steps of a content provider of the digital copy of the work dynamically generating a standardized two-dimensional barcode when the digital copy of the work is produced for a user acquiring rights to the digital copy of the work, the barcode containing a unique URL of the content provider and being embedded in a portion of the digital copy of the work where digital rights management protection is omitted; and a print shop scanning the barcode from the digital copy of the work provided by the user to be readily linked to the content provider, and obtaining authorization and royalty information for printing the hard copy of the work for the user. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279707 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE DATA ANALYSIS - The described embodiments relate to systems, methods and computer readable media for determining compliance with recommendations. The systems and methods may involve generating a vehicle recommendation; transmitting the vehicle recommendation to at least one output device, wherein the at least one output device communicates the vehicle recommendation to one or more users; collecting vehicle telemetry data from a vehicle sensor device located in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle sensor device is coupled to one or more vehicle sensors; and determining compliance data based on the vehicle recommendation and the vehicle telemetry data, wherein the compliance data indicates compliance with the recommended vehicle action. The compliance data may be used to determine service rates and/or service level coverage for users. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279708 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE TIME TO BUY OR SELL A VEHICLE - Systems and methods for assisting a vehicle owner in making decisions regarding when to replace a vehicle by determining a vehicle owner's satisfaction with the vehicle relative to the cost of owning the vehicle. In one embodiment, a system is configured to provide a model for owner satisfaction which is based on historical vehicle replacement information, but is tailored to a particular owner according to user input. An owner satisfaction curve is produced from this model and is compared to a cost-of-ownership curve that is tailored to the vehicle and possibly also the user. The owner satisfaction curve is compared to the cost-of-ownership curve to enable the user to determine where the cost of ownership exceeds the owner's satisfaction, and the vehicle should be replaced. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279709 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING COSTS OF VEHICLE REPAIRS AND TIMES TO MAJOR REPAIRS - Systems, methods and computer program products for determining costs of vehicle repairs and times to major repairs. In one embodiment, a system includes a computer processor, a data storage device, and an output device. The processor receives information from a user identifying a vehicle of interest. The processor retrieves repair data items that have characteristics common to the vehicle of interest from a database stored in the data storage device. The processor determines repairs that are expected to be necessary for the vehicle of interest based on the retrieved repair data items, and determines the costs associated with the identified expected repairs. The processor provides output to the user indicating the repair costs and/or the times at which the repairs are likely to be necessary. The output may be in graphical and/or numerical form. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279710 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND INTERFACE FOR COMPILED LITERARY WORK - A system, method and interface for compiling literary works from specialized databases and/or from unique interfaces is provided, including a custom database compiled from plural existing literary indexes, wherein a master index is harmonized from said existing indexes according to common terms (e.g., book, chapter and verse for biblical indexes) with deleted duplicates. In exemplary embodiments, the master index is also augmented by ingestion of additional literary works in digital form that are chopped up based on said common terms (e.g., book, chapter, verse) extracted from the literary work. | 09-18-2014 |
20140289167 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING RETAIL-BUSINESS-RULE COEFFICIENTS FROM CURRENT PRICES - Business rules can govern a single price or they can define relationships between different products involving two or more decision prices. One problem that retailers can face is that business rules are generally not codified and are rarely followed consistently, and thus it can be difficult to articulate existing business rules or generate new business rules. However, existing price information inherently contains industry knowledge and experience, even if retailers find it difficult to express that knowledge. The disclosed technology generates business rules by reverse engineering rule bounds and coefficients from existing price information. The reverse engineered rule bounds and coefficients can be used in price optimization to generate recommended prices for retail products that optimize revenue and profit while complying with a set of business rules. | 09-25-2014 |
20140289168 | TECHNIQUE FOR PRICING A SOLAR POWER SYSTEM - A configuration engine traverses sequential levels of a decision tree in order to iteratively refine a configuration for a solar power system. At each level of the decision tree, the configuration engine determines the outcome of a design decision based on computing the result of a value function. The configuration engine explores configurations that optimize the value function result compared to other configurations, and may also discard less optimal configurations. When a current configuration is considered less optimal than a previous configuration generated at a previous level, the configuration engine discards the current configuration and re-traverses the decision tree starting with the previous configuration. | 09-25-2014 |
20140324735 | MAXIMIZING THE UTILITY OF INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE INTERSECTING DATA STRUCTURES USING PLATONIC SOLIDS AND RELATED POLYHEDRA AND POLYTOPES - A method, system and computer program product for maximizing the utility of data obtained from multiple intersecting data structures and stored in a multi-dimension information space. The method includes the steps of generating a rigid mathematical structure within the multi-dimensional information space; dividing the rigid mathematical structure into segments, each segment having a volume determined by a time of access to the segment relative to an event, a duration of access to the segment and a quantity of data in the segment; and determining a sellable price point for each segment of the rigid mathematical structure based on the volume of the segment. | 10-30-2014 |
20140337252 | DESIGN DATA PROVIDING SYSTEM, DATA SERVER, DESIGN DATA PROVIDING METHOD, SPECIFICATION DATA PROVIDING METHOD - There is provided a data server capable of improving a quality of a spectacle lens as a finished product and reducing a cost, even if a semi-finished lens having a complicated shape is used, the data server including: a specification data acquisition unit configured to acquire specification data of a semi-finished lens transmitted from a first terminal; a specification data storage unit configured to store the specification data acquired by the specification data acquisition unit; and a specification data output unit configured to output the specification data stored in the specification data storage unit, to a second terminal. | 11-13-2014 |
20140351172 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Compute Resource Usage Chargeback for Cloud Multi-Tenant Environment - 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. | 11-27-2014 |
20140365401 | SYSTEM FOR ACCELERATED PRICE MASTER DATABASE LOOKUP - A system generates a plurality of price master data lookup procedures that are capable of being executed in parallel. The plurality of price master data lookup procedures is stored in a repository in an in-memory system. The in-memory system includes a parallel processor. The system accesses the repository of price master data lookup procedures, and retrieves price master data in parallel using the price master data lookup procedures. The system then calculates a price using the price master data retrieved from the price master database in the in-system memory. | 12-11-2014 |
20140379613 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE NON-TRANSITORY STORAGE MEDIUM - There is provided an information processing device for measuring a dimension of an object to be measured in a low-load calculation processing. A handy terminal includes a depth map sensor block for generating a depth map of an object to be measured by use of a depth map sensor, and a coordinate transformation/side length calculation unit that measures a dimension of the object to be measured based on the depth map. The handy terminal may further includes a delivery fee calculation unit that calculates a delivery fee of the object to be measured based on the dimension. | 12-25-2014 |
20150046374 | ROUTE OPTIMIZATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY ONE OR MORE SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR COMBINED LINKS - In one embodiment, two or more links, coupled to a first service provider (SP) that charges a price for utilization of services according to a first pricing structure, are combined to form a single virtual combined link. Each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and one or more other links, coupled to a second SP that charges a price for utilization of services according to a second pricing structure, are monitored to obtain link data. The link data for the two of more links of the virtual combined link is merged to form link data for the virtual combined link. Data distribution among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links is optimized to distribute data among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links in a manner that minimizes cost. | 02-12-2015 |
20150120614 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING PRODUCT PRICES - Systems and methods are provided for optimizing prices for products and services based on consumer survey data, or at least based on the principle that non-flat prices such as $0.99, $3.95, $49.99, for example, create negative impressions about merchants. The system may retrieve a current price from a database and identify a price class or a price range to which the current price corresponds. The system may then execute a pricing process that is associated with the identified price class or price range. The pricing process computes an offer price that a majority of consumers will perceive as being more fair than the current price. | 04-30-2015 |
20150120615 | UNIFIED CATALOG MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A unified catalog of products and services is described. In one implementation, a method may include receiving an indication of products, offered by a business, that are to be provided to a customer of the business, where the products are defined in a catalog based on a hierarchical product model. The method further includes determining pricing information relating to the products, the determination of the pricing information including: identifying, based on the catalog, a plurality of pricing formulas associated with the plurality of products, and applying the pricing formulas to determine the pricing information. | 04-30-2015 |
20150370548 | Automated Mobile Application Publishing - Systems, device and techniques are disclosed for publishing multiple versions of an application to an application market, via an application programming interface. The application programming interface may be configured to allow automated uploads of multiple version of an application without requiring individual uploads of each version. A developer associated party may provide the multiple versions of the application via the application programming interface. The multiple versions of the applications may be provided via the application programming interface and not an application market interface. The multiple versions may be published in an application to different set of users. | 12-24-2015 |
20150371292 | APPARATUS, CHARGING SYSTEM AND CHARGING METHOD - An apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire setting information corresponding to an operator of the apparatus among setting information stored in a storage unit for each user for calculating a charging amount for a process, an execution of which is instructed; and a calculation unit configured to calculate the charging amount related to the process by using the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit. | 12-24-2015 |
20150379593 | ACCELERATED PRICE CALCULATION USING IN-MEMORY TECHNOLOGY - A price calculator may receive a pricing request for at least one item, the at least one item priced in accordance with a pricing schema including a plurality of price components. The price calculator may include a parallel price calculator configured to retrieve a parallel calculation flow handling procedure corresponding to the at least one item and designating at least two price subcomponents common to the price components. The price calculator may then calculate the at least two price subcomponents for the price components in parallel, using the parallel calculation flow handling procedure. | 12-31-2015 |
20160005089 | INFORMATION PROVISION SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A system includes a first acquisition unit, a first generation unit, and a second generation unit. The first acquisition unit acquires usage information representing the user of a function of an electronic apparatus. The first generation unit generates use information on the use of a service using a plurality of electronic apparatuses, on the basis of the usage information. The second generation unit generates provision information that represents a service provision target and that is provided to the service provision target, on the basis of comparison between the use information and a given threshold. | 01-07-2016 |
20160019609 | COST COMPUTATION DEVICE, COST COMPUTATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A cost computation apparatus ( | 01-21-2016 |
20160034984 | REPORT GENERATION APPARATUS, REPORT GENERATION SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A report generation apparatus includes a user information storage unit that stores therein user identification information for identifying a user and regional information on a region where the user is located, so as to associated with each other; a regional information obtaining part that receives user identification information and obtains regional information associated with the received user identification information from the user information storage part; and a generator that obtains device management information relating to usage of a device and generates a report using the obtained device management information and the obtained regional information. | 02-04-2016 |
20160140628 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A COST OF A CASTING PROCESS - A computer implemented method for determining a cost of a casting process includes receiving a user input, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), indicative of part information that is associated with a part manufactured by the casting process. The method includes receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select a casting parameter associated with the casting process. The casting parameter includes material and post-treatment parameter, mold and core parameter, foundry process parameter, and machining and setup parameter. The method includes receiving a user input, via the GUI, indicative of a variable associated with the casting parameter and retrieving a cost information associated with the casting parameter from a database. The method further includes determining a parameter cost based on the cost information and the variable and, generating an output, via the GUI, indicative of the cost of the casting process for the part. | 05-19-2016 |
20160140629 | METHODS FOR COMPUTING DEVICES - The invention relates to novel types of computing devices, their operating systems, and ecosystems supporting such computing devices. The invention is especially related to new ways of providing compensation to software providers. | 05-19-2016 |
20160162959 | Performance Optimization Utilizing Pre-Analysis of Condition Records - A method includes receiving a request to perform pricing, determining relevant attributes as a subset of multiple pricing attributes by analyzing a pricing configuration, and deriving attribute value combinations based on relevant attributes to provide a reduced set of combinations to pricing. An optional method includes scanning corresponding condition tables for distinct values of each attribute to further reduce attribute value combinations on which to call pricing. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164690 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - In a state that: a plurality of segments are formed; the segments each include a communication path instruction device instructing establishment of a communication path in a network, the network in which a communication path is established by the communication path instruction device, and an information acquisition unit acquiring network information of the network; and networks of the respective segments are connected to each other via a network connection device, a communication path passing through a plurality of networks is established and a fee depending on the established communication path passing through the networks is determined. | 06-09-2016 |
20190149344 | INTELLIGENT SEARCH SYSTEM FOR SERVICE COST AND METHOD THEREOF | 05-16-2019 |