Abstract: An apparatus comprising a main receptacle, a first detector, a second detector and a processor; wherein said main receptacle is to hold articles for customer selection, said first detector is to detect presence of an article on said main receptacle, said second detector is to detect an article after said article has been removed from said main receptacle; and wherein the processor is to collect identification information of an article upon introduction of said article into the main receptacle during a serving session and to register introduction of said article, and wherein the processor is to check out or de-register said article from said serving session upon detection of presence of said article at said second detector.

Abstract: A virtual operator and method for performing authentication and service translation. The virtual operator assigns first and second identifiers to subscribers. The virtual operator updates the second identifier when the service provider corresponding to the second identifier changes. When the virtual operator receives a request for authentication, the virtual operator forwards the authentication request to a serving network for authentication. When the virtual operator receives a service request, the virtual operator selects, using network optimization criteria, a network to provide the requested service. The virtual operator translates network protocols when the network forwarding authentication or service request uses a network protocol different from the network performing authentication or the requested service.

Abstract: A system and method of mobile communication roaming where a subscriber's home network and a roaming network used by the subscriber do not have a roaming agreement. The roaming network sends a “Send Authentication/Parameters” request to the home network via an intelligent roaming system on or attached to the backbone. The home network sends an authentication response to the “Send Authentication/Parameters” request from the home network to the roaming network via the backbone and intelligent roaming system. The roaming network sends a “Update Location” request from the roaming network to the intelligent roaming system. The visitor locator register (VLR) address in the “Update Location” request is replaced with the VLR address of the intelligent roaming system to create a modified update request. The modified update request is sent from the intelligent roaming system to the home network.