Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for generic device integration within an auto-id system. The system includes an auto-id node operable to collect data emitted by one or more automatic data acquisition devices, process the data, and make the data available to one or more enterprise applications, user interfaces, or other auto-id nodes. The auto-id node includes a device integration layer that is operable to handle communication between the auto-id node and different types of automatic data acquisition devices, device controllers, or device management systems.

Abstract: An integral forming method for a composite metal includes: a preparation step including preparing powders of at least two metals or alloys; a formation step including producing a single blank from the powders of one of the at least two metals or alloys by pressing molding or metal injection molding, and then producing a composite metal blank from the single blank and the powders of a remainder of the at least two metals or alloys; and a sintering step including sintering the composite metal blank into a composite metal product. The processing procedures are simplified, and the production is easier. Limitation to the choices of materials is small. The bonding strength of the composite metal is enhanced.

Abstract: System and methods for communicating tracking information about tagged items. A tagged item is a tangible item that carries a self-identifying tag. The tracking information can be stored in the tag or in a document that is accessible through an item tracking system. The tracking information can be accessible by multiple consumers having different levels of access. The methods include methods for masking redundancies in the tracking information, filtering the tracking information, and controlling access to the tracking information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.

Abstract: Session Inter-Device (SID) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) are described in which a seamless transfer of a communication session from a first device (56, 106, 116) to a second device (66, 116, 166) can be achieved without interrupting the active session. According to the SID mobility network (50), the transfer can be accomplished by transferring away from the Transferring Node or first device (56) the IP address associated with the active session (58) so that the network (50) will route the session to the desired Target Node or second device (66). The Transferring Node (56) transfers its IP address (58) to the Agent (60) and stops requesting data packets addressed to its IP address (58). The Agent (60) then begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (58). The Agent (60) then transfers the packets to the Target Node (66).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.

Abstract: System and methods for communicating tracking information about tagged items. A tagged item is a tangible item that carries a self-identifying tag. The tracking information can be stored in the tag or in a document that is accessible through an item tracking system. The tracking information can be accessible by multiple consumers having different levels of access. The methods include methods for masking redundancies in the tracking information, filtering the tracking information, and controlling access to the tracking information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.

Abstract: A method for soft switch call control and a soft switch device therefore are provided. The soft switch device acquires an initial address message (IAM) at a calling side, analyzes information of the calling party and the called party based on the acquired initial address message (IAM), and informs the media gateways to create a context and to add TDM semi-permanent physical terminations of time slots corresponding to the calling party and the called party into the context when the calling party and the called party are controlled by the same media gateway. Thus, it can implement a local loop of TDM voice, reduce IP loop of RTP streams and efficiently reduces network resources such as steps for digital signal processing, echo elimination and etc.

Abstract: A sales system is described that enables fast, efficient shopping by customers, and thereby increases sales and encourages customer loyalty, while simultaneously improving store management. An electronic device, which may be mobile or stationary, and which may belong or be assigned to (or accessed by) each customer, is used to access shopping information that might not otherwise be available to the customer during shopping. For example, a personal digital assistant or information kiosk may be used to provide specific product information and complete a sale thereof, or to provide suggested purchase lists and best routes through the store during shopping. The sales system is multi-modal, so that a plurality of input modalities (such as voice or auto-id techniques) are simultaneously available to the customer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing recommendations in a retail environment. A recommendation system includes a centralized knowledge base including one or more rules for defining logic to provide recommendations based on one or more detected system alerts, an alert engine for determining alert conditions in a retail presence including out of stock conditions, a root cause engine for determining one or more root causes for out of stock conditions that are detected, a mapping engine for mapping between alerts and recommendations, and a recommendation engine for issuing one or more recommendations associated with given alerts and determined root causes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for detecting and estimating lost sales. A demand distribution for a product provided by a retail presence is determined. A probability of a lost sales occurrence is evaluated, including determining a predetermined time period and a probability of no sales over the predetermined time period. A determination of whether no sales have occurred over a time period corresponding in length to the predetermined time period is made. If the probability of no sales is below a threshold, an estimate of lost sales is determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing multiple modalities is described. A user may use multiple modalities, such as voice and browser, to interact with data on a network, such as the World Wide Web. All of the modalities may be synchronized so that all are updated when the user enters information in just one. A method of communicating between devices includes receiving a request for first-modality data that includes first content, and sending a message in response to receiving the request, the message including information allowing the request of second-modality data that includes second content overlapping the first content. Another method includes requesting first data for a first modality, the first data including first content, and automatically requesting second data for a second modality, wherein the second data includes second content that overlaps the first content.

Abstract: A current state of an item being tracked by an item-tracking system may be determined using prior state information about the item. To ensure proper temporal order of the state information, software events triggered by physical events associated with the item are received from a reader at an event interpretation system. A database or queue within the event interpretation system holds the software events for a delay time determined by a maximum transmission delay time of the software events. A sorter within the event interpretation system orders the software events relative to one another so as to correspond to an order of the physical events. An association model of the event interpretation system may determine state information related to the item for storage in a state information database. Accordingly, system exceptions in the item tracking system may be reduced, and an accuracy and reliability of the system may be improved.