Abstract: A graphical user interface may include a form with a plurality of fields, each field associated with a predetermined category. Each category may have its own, independent, discrete grammar associated therewith, and the independent grammars may be individually activated, simultaneously with their respective categories. In this way, a voice-recognition system that is inputting spoken data for each of the fields may have a restricted grammar to search when attempting to match a particular voice input with an entry for a particular field in the form. Moreover, a global grammar that is active with any one of the independent grammars may be used to move between the fields or perform other high-level functionality not associated with any one of the independent grammars.

Abstract: Session Inter-Device (SD) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) ate 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: 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: 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: 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: A first-modality gateway and a second-modality gateway are synchronized, with both gateways interfacing between a user and a server system. The synchronizing allows the user to use either of the first-modality gateway or the second-modality gateway at a given point in time to interface with specific information in the server system. A method includes accessing a communication sent from a first-modality gateway, and providing a synchronizing mechanism in response to accessing the communication. Another method includes receiving a request for a first-modality data from a first-modality entity, determining a second-modality data, and providing the second-modality data to a second-modality entity, where the second-modality data corresponds to the first-modality data. An article includes a first-modality interface, a second-modality interface, and a controller interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting out-of-stock occurrences and for assigning root causes to out-of-stock occurrences are described. In one implementation, inventory data and point of sale data are collected. An expected lost sales value is determined. A true demand is determined based on the point-of-sale data and the expected lost sales value. A probability of an out-of-stock occurrence is determined based on the inventory data. In another implementation, an out-of-stock occurrence is identified. The out-of-stock occurrence is classified, and one or more root causes are assigned to the out-of-stock occurrence.

Abstract: A graphical user interface may include a form with a plurality of fields, each field associated with a predetermined category. Each category may have its own, independent, discrete grammar associated therewith, and the independent grammars may be individually activated, simultaneously with their respective categories. In this way, a voice-recognition system that is inputting spoken data for each of the fields may have a restricted grammar to search when attempting to match a particular voice input with an entry for a particular field in the form. Moreover, a global grammar that is active with any one of the independent grammars may be used to move between the fields or perform other high-level functionality not associated with any one of the independent grammars.

Abstract: An auto-identification system is described that includes a plurality of distributed auto-id nodes that are operable to track physical objects as they move through an operation of an enterprise, such as, for example, a supply chain network or a sales network. The auto-id nodes are distributed across sites of the network, and are in communication with enterprise application systems and/or data acquisition systems such as RFID readers or sensor devices. By focusing on their respective sites, the auto-id nodes minimize the amount of data tracked by their respective enterprise applications. Further, the auto-id nodes include rules governing operations on the physical object(s). When an auto-id node receives information regarding a tracking event experienced by the physical object, then the rules may be executed to access known data regarding the physical object, and thereby determine whether the tracking event matches an event that was expected to occur as a result of the operation of the enterprise.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products, implementing techniques for generic 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 one or more integration layers operable to handle communication between the auto-id node and different types of automatic data acquisition devices, enterprise applications, user interfaces, and other auto-id nodes.

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: 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.

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: 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, are provided that include techniques for forecasting demand. One method includes identifying event data associated with a demand forecast. The method further includes determining a first portion of a demand forecast using the event data. The method further includes determining a second portion of the demand forecast using at least order history data. The method further includes identifying weights to be applied to the first and second portions. The method further includes determining an aggregate demand forecast including applying respective identified weights to and combining the first and second portions of the demand forecast.

Abstract: A particular logging framework provides empirical data on the use of a multi-modal system. The system receives user input in one of multiple modalities, and responds to the received single-modality input by updating a user interface in each of the multiple modalities. The user may respond, using an appropriate modality, to any of the multiple updated user interfaces. User inputs in each of the multiple modalities are logged and time-stamped to create an event log across all modalities for the user. Event logs may be analyzed or used to provide, for example, system improvements, technical support, replay of events, or monitoring of a user. Another logging framework logs events at a field-level from a user of a system. Another logging framework logs events from a user of a system and modifies a presentation parameter based on the logged user events, wherein content is presented to the user according to the presentation parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing multiple enterprises real-time access to information about items in a supply chain. 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 tags can be radio-frequency identification tags having each having an ePC (electronic product code) as unique tag identifier. 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. With shipping documents visible, information read from item tags can be used to confirm the identify or completeness of a shipment.

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: An inventory management system includes an electronic device operable to receive job data related to a task, such as for example, picking, stocking, or counting, performed by a worker in a warehouse, in a selected one of a plurality of available input modalities. The system also includes an inventory database operable to store inventory data that includes count information and location information for each of a plurality of items, accessible in a plurality of formats, such as, for example Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) or Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), each compatible with one of the available input modalities. The system also includes a format determination system operable to input inventory data in a received one of the formats and determine corresponding inventory data in remaining ones of the formats.

Abstract: A graphical user interface may include a form with a plurality of fields, each field associated with a predetermined category. Each category may have its own, independent, discrete grammar associated therewith, and the independent grammars may be individually activated, simultaneously with their respective categories. In this way, a voice-recognition system that is inputting spoken data for each of the fields may have a restricted grammar to search when attempting to match a particular voice input with an entry for a particular field in the form. Moreover, a global grammar that is active with any one of the independent grammars may be used to move between the fields or perform other high-level functionality not associated with any one of the independent grammars.