Abstract: A software key control system and method for mobile devices. When a customer orders a software product, the seller issues a temporary activation key which is posted to a key registration web server. The customer then locates the mobile device's unique device ID and accesses the web server to provide the temporary activation key. The web server creates a registration key based on the customer's temporary activation key and device ID. The registration key is transferred to the customer's mobile device and the customer can then register the ordered software product. The system and method of the present invention thereby automate the sale and distribution of keys for mobile devices.

Abstract: A software key control system and method for mobile devices. When a customer orders a software product, the seller issues a temporary activation key which is posted to a key registration web server. The customer then locates the mobile device's unique device ID and accesses the web server to provide the temporary activation key. The web server creates a registration key based on the customer's temporary activation key and device ID. The registration key is transferred to the customer's mobile device and the customer can then register the ordered software product. The system and method of the present invention thereby automate the sale and distribution of keys for mobile devices.

Abstract: A software key control system and method for mobile devices. When a customer orders a software product, the seller issues a temporary activation key which is posted to a key registration web server. The customer then locates the mobile device's unique device ID and accesses the web server to provide the temporary activation key. The web server creates a registration key based on the customer's temporary activation key and device ID. The registration key is transferred to the customer's mobile device and the customer can then register the ordered software product. The system and method of the present invention thereby automate the sale and distribution of keys for mobile devices.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus and method for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining device for selective retaining at least one of the carts; a cart identification sensor for uniquely identifying carts retained by the retaining device; a control device for controlling the vending and returning of carts, wherein the control device maintains a queue of carts identified by a cart identification sensor and retained by the retaining device; a reward device for dispensing a reward when a cart is returned to the retaining device; and a counter for counting a number of times that an identification of the cart is missed from the queue of carts so as to prevent the reward device from dispensing a reward when the number of times exceeds a predetermined value of the counter.

Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.