Abstract: Data concerning post-consumption items is collected from RF tags. RF tags applied to goods and materials that have been consumed or used and/or discarded or stored for recycling are read by a reader. The reader collects data from the tag and stores the data and/or transmits the collected data to a computing device such as a building management or host computer. A computing device associated with the reader may also retrieve data associated with the RF tag from one or more datastores of information concerning the post-consumption item. Additional processing may be performed to determine the composition and other attributes of the item or material. Based upon the data retrieved from the RF tag, and optionally, data in the datastore(s), and/or processing occurring within the associated computing device, characteristics including the composition and nature of the post-consumption items, location of the items and other characteristics and associated information are determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of selectively sorting post-consumption items that are associated with radio-frequency tags based on data received from the RF tag. One embodiment includes a conveyor, a picker arm, and an RF reader. Another embodiment includes an RF reader and a receptacle for selectively holding post-consumption items based on data retrieved from the associated RF tag.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes capturing service properties in one or more service process profiles, receiving a request for service, and interrogating the request and possible services by reviewing service properties captured in the service process profiles. A computer architecture includes a service manage profile and a service meter profile. A computer infrastructure includes a service component including a service-oriented architecture and a serviceware component including a manager for interpreting the service-oriented architecture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing hands-free operation of a device. A hands-free adapter is provided that communicates with a device and a headset. The hands-free adapter allows a user to use voice commands so that the user does not have to handle the device. The hands-free adapter receives voice commands from the headset and translates the voice commands to commands recognized by the device. The hands-free adapter also monitors the device to detect device events and provides notice of the events to the user via the headset.

Abstract: A method for providing platform independent business rules include encoding business rules in extensible style language translator (“XSLT”), thereby creating a platform independent XSLT business rule component, is provided. The XSLT business rule component is loaded into or coupled with a platform dependent business engine, which results in a platform dependent business engine whose behavior is based on the platform independent business rules. In particular, the method provides a way to produce or obtain a number of platform dependent business engines whose core behavior can be based on the same platform independent business rules. In addition, when the business rules change, the platform dependent business engines can be updated by encoding the changed business rules in XSLT. Similarly, XSLT encoded business rules can be used drive the core behavior of a common business service (“CBS”) unit.