Abstract: A Web-based electronic commerce (EC) enabled shopping network configured to allow members of a consumer product management team and authorized parties to communicate directly with consumers shopping at EC-enabled WWW-sites along the World Wide Web (WWW), serviced by programmable Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks (MMVKs) driven by server-side components and managed by product management team members and authorized parties. When generated by the first Internet-enabled information server, each MMVK has a graphical user interface (GUI) that is characterized by a plurality of independently programmable display modes. Upon the Web-browser of each consumer encountering an installed MMVK tag along an EC-enabled Website, the corresponding server-side driven MMVK is automatically generated by the first Internet-enabled information server and served to the Web browser for display and review by the consumer.

Abstract: A method for switching vendors, including sending an invitation to a user to rate a first vendor in response to the user designating the first vendor as a payee, receiving a rating assigned to the first vendor, determining a second vendor as an alternative to the first vendor based on the rating being below a predefined threshold, sending information associated with the second vendor to the user, receiving a request from the user to switch from the first vendor to the second vendor, sending a cancellation notice to the first vendor in response to receiving the request, transmitting user information to a computer of the second vendor for setting up a new account, and charging the second vendor a fee for sending the information associated with the second vendor to the user.

Abstract: A system, including a planning module, a control module and a receiver module, configured to schedule display of one or more advertising impressions of available advertising inventory. The planning module enables scheduling a requested quantity of advertising impressions in accordance with target criteria. Further, the planning module enables selecting an advertising impression goal for advertisement, assigning an advertising type and defining a weight for the advertisements. The control module receives the schedule, the advertising type and the defined weights and generates one or more metadata files that contain target criteria, advertising type and weights for the advertisements. The one or more metadata files, with the advertisements, are delivered to the receiver module that is configured to define a display frequency for the advertisements based upon one or more of the metadata files.

Abstract: The present invention is a system comprising image capture device, such as a scanner or digital camera connected to a computer processor that is able to capture and store images, and method of using the same for storing and processing expense receipts. The computer processor analyzes the images of the receipts, converts the images to text, analyzes the data, extracts expense data, and puts the data into an expense report. The end user can review the captured expense data, correct it or add to it. Preferably, the system displays the image of the receipt side-by-side with the captured expense data to make review and editing easier. In a preferred embodiment the image capture device is portable, such as a handheld scanner or digital camera, so that a user can scan receipts while traveling and discard the receipt. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the images are encrypted to prevent tampering by the user or a third party, and thereby preserve the integrity of the receipt image.

Abstract: A wireless communication system of the invention comprises a plurality of communication stations decentralized-autonomously construct a network without having a relation between a control station and a station to be controlled under a communication circumstance where a plurality of channels are prepared. In this case, each of the communication stations prepares a plurality of operation modes for activating transmitting and receiving operations, informs the own operation mode, and receives information regarding operation modes of peripheral stations to manage its operation mode of each of the peripheral stations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor configured to monitor at a recurring interval a plurality of message queues and a plurality of server sessions that access the message queues, determine, at each occurrence of the interval, an appropriate number of server sessions per queue that achieves acceptable load balance, and redistribute the server sessions among the message queues to match the appropriate number of server session per queue upon determining the appropriate number of server sessions and prior to a subsequent occurrence of the interval.

Abstract: A device and method facilitates communication with a network-based service or application such as a Social Networking Service (SNS), for example. The device may be a cellular telephone that is not normally equipped to communicate with such services. However, a controller in the device selects a bearer service that can be used to communicate with the service.

Abstract: A parking area detecting method includes generating a top view image by capturing images of surroundings of a vehicle, detecting a first directional parking line from the top view image, detecting a second directional parking line having a direction different from a direction of the first directional parking line from the top view image, and detecting a parking area by combining the first directional parking line and the second directional parking line.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a permit-based parking environment governed by a parking program. The permit-based parking environment includes a number of parking permits each including a unique RFID tag and tag number. One or more RFID readers are used to scan the vehicles parked in the parking environment to determine if a RFID tag is associated with the parked vehicle. The results of the scan along with information related to the parked vehicle are provided to a permit management system to determine if the vehicle is parked within the scope of privileges pre-defined for that vehicle, pursuant to the parking program governing the parking environment. The permit management system stores, manages, and monitors data related to the permits controlled under the parking program.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing situational awareness for a tool operator and an individual approaching a working field of the tool are described. An example method includes activating a first device, where the first device has a working field and has au operational path configured to intersect a barrier. A proximity sensor of the second device then detects a presence of an object in a sensor zone of the second device. The second device transmits a wireless signal to the first device indicating the presence of the object in the sensor zone of the second device. Then at least one of the first device and the second device issues a first alert indicating the presence of the object in the sensor zone of the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multimedia device including a flexible display and controlling method thereof. The present invention includes a guide bar, a flexible display configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a first region rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar and a second region not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar, a receiving unit configured to receive a content and metadata corresponding to the content from a source device, and a control unit adjusting a vertical width of the second region of the flexible display in accordance with a preset condition.

Abstract: A method for tracking and characterizing a plurality of vehicles simultaneously in a traffic control environment, comprising: providing a 3D optical emitter; providing a 3D optical receiver with a wide and deep field of view; driving the 3D optical emitter into emitting short light pulses; receiving a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light, thereby acquiring an individual digital full-waveform LIDAR trace for each detection channel of the 3D optical receiver; using the individual digital full-waveform LIDAR trace and the emitted light waveform, detecting a presence of a plurality of vehicles, a position of at least part of each vehicle and a time at which the position is detected; assigning a unique identifier to each vehicle; repeating the steps of driving, receiving, acquiring and detecting, at a predetermined frequency; tracking and recording an updated position of each vehicle and an updated time at which the updated position is detected.

Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. Each compliance badge receives dispense event signals corresponding dispenser identification information associated with dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge. The badges store dispense event records associated with each dispense event initiated by the wearer and thus keep track of all dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for automatic pill dispensing are disclosed herein. An exemplary automatic pill dispensing device includes a temporary storage compartment, a feeding assembly, a dispensing route, a plurality of optical sensors, and a controller. The temporary storage compartment stores pills that are to be counted and eventually dispensed into a pill bottle. The feeding assembly is coupled to the temporary storage compartment and can move or stop the flow of pills into the dispensing route where the plurality of optical sensors count the pills as they pass by the light beams thereof. The controller receives a count from the plurality of optical sensors and stops the feeding assembly when a predetermined count of pills has been reached. Systems and methods utilizing the pill dispensing devices include incorporating a centralized computer and a conveyor belt system to accurately and efficiently dispense a plurality of pill types into pill bottles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for supporting enhanced target pursuit. As an example, a system is disclosed that includes a monitoring device including: a location determination circuit and a controller circuit. The location determination circuit is operable to identify a location of the monitoring device. The controller circuit is operable to: receive a request to modify a schedule of location updates from a standard mode schedule to a pursuit mode schedule, where the standard mode schedule calls for updating the location of the monitoring device at a lower rate than the pursuit mode schedule; and cause an increase in the rate of updating and reporting the location in accordance with the request to modify.

Abstract: A foldable display is disclosed. In one aspect, the foldable display includes a foldable display panel including first to fourth regions adjacent to each other. The foldable display also includes a first support located on a rear surface of the first region and a second support located on a rear surface of the fourth region. The foldable display panel is configured to be arranged in a first configuration in which the foldable display panel is unfolded and a second configuration in which the foldable display panel is folded so that the first support supports the first and second regions and the second support supports the third and fourth regions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for processing messages intended to allow the access to conditional access content and to a security module arranged for implementing this method. The method comprises the steps of receiving by a security module comprising at least one decryption module, a plurality of messages, these messages belonging to at least two different categories; assigning a different priority level to messages from each different category, one of said priority level being defined as high and another priority level, lower that the high priority level, being defined as the standard priority level; associating a value to the messages to which the standard priority level has been assigned; assigning at least one threshold value for the value associated with messages having a standard priority level; and comparing between the threshold value for a determined message and the value associated with said message.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.

Abstract: A game server employs a notification system associated with purchase of an item in a game and is capable of promoting the purchase of the item, Specifically, a game server may include a notifier, when receiving a request for provision of a first item from a communication terminal, for sending a notification that the first item is provided to the communication terminal to a communication terminal; and an item provider, when sending the notification from the notifier to the communication terminal that the first item is provided, for providing a second item, in addition to the first item, to at least one of the communication terminal and the communication terminal that sends the request for provision of the first item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a user with a performance indicator score includes receiving a first transaction message that includes historical clinical-trial performance data from one or more processors at a clinical research organization and receiving a second transaction message with health records data with parameters indicative of insurance claims data. The received historical clinical-trial performance data and the prescription data is translated into an updated database. Related records within the updated database are identified and one or more key performance indicators included in the data at the updated database for a first physician are identified. A score for each of the one or more key performance indicators are calculated and a performance indicator score record for the first physician is generated based on the calculated scores for each of the one or more key performance indicators. A multi-dimensional chart for organizing and evaluating investigators is generated.