Abstract: Various arrangements disclosed herein relate to dynamically determining a length of cable to provision for charging an electric vehicle, including a sensor to detect a characteristic of the electric vehicle, a data processing system configured to determine, based at least in part on the characteristic, a position of a charge port of the vehicle and to determine, based at least in part on the position of the charge port of the vehicle, a distance between a charging apparatus and the charge port of the vehicle. The charging apparatus includes a cable dispenser configured to provide a length of a segment of a cable based on the distance between the charging apparatus and the charge port.

Abstract: Advance temperature control of charging station components is provided. A system can identify a first time at which an electric vehicle arrives at a charging station to charge the electric vehicle. The system can determine, based at least in part on the first time and a temperature of a component of the charging station, a second time prior to arrival of the electric vehicle at the charging station at which to activate a cooling system of the charging station. The system can provide an instruction to activate the cooling system at the second time to lower the temperature of the component of the charging station by the first time at which the electric vehicle arrives at the charging station to charge the electric vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placeshifting media playback between two or more devices are provided. For example, a method for placeshifting media may include downloading onto a first device an index of files accessed or modified on a second device via a data storage server, at least one of the files being a media file played on the second device. The first device may display a user selectable list of the files on the first device before issuing a request for the media file to the data storage server. The data storage server may send the media file to the first device from the data storage server, and the first device may play back the media file where the second device left off.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placeshifting media playback between two or more devices are provided. For example, a method for placeshifting media may include downloading onto a first device an index of files accessed or modified on a second device via a data storage server, at least one of the files being a media file played on the second device. The first device may display a user selectable list of the files on the first device before issuing a request for the media file to the data storage server. The data storage server may send the media file to the first device from the data storage server, and the first device may play back the media file where the second device left off.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, user interfaces for displaying a transfer request, detecting user input directed to initiating a transfer corresponding to the request, and receiving authentication information to authorize the transfer corresponding to the request are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placeshifting media playback between two or more devices are provided. For example, a method for placeshifting media may include downloading onto a first device an index of files accessed or modified on a second device via a data storage server, at least one of the files being a media file played on the second device. The first device may display a user selectable list of the files on the first device before issuing a request for the media file to the data storage server. The data storage server may send the media file to the first device from the data storage server, and the first device may play back the media file where the second device left off.

Abstract: This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk for determining glove size is disclosed. The kiosk may have a platform for placement of a user's hand. The kiosk may also have an imaging device that acquires a digital image of the hand. Further, the kiosk may have a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory. The processor may determine a size characteristic of the hand based on the digital image or the scan. The processor may compare the size characteristic with one or more product characteristics stored in a data structure and associated with one or more products. Further, the processor may select a product, having a product characteristic matching the size characteristic. The kiosk may also have a display for displaying information associated with the at least one product selected by the processor.

Abstract: This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk is disclosed. The self-service kiosk may have a housing, including a user interface. The user interface may receive from a user a selection of an item. The user interface may also receive from the user a payment for a purchase of the item. The self-service kiosk may include a fabrication system disposed within the housing. The fabrication system may fabricate the item selected by the user. The self-service kiosk may also include a packaging system. The packaging system may sealingly enclose the item in a package. Further, the self-service kiosk may include a bin that may dispense the package, including the item, to the user.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk is disclosed. The self-service kiosk may have a housing, including a user interface. The user interface may receive from a user a selection of an item. The user interface may also receive from the user a payment for a purchase of the item. The self-service kiosk may include a fabrication system disposed within the housing. The fabrication system may fabricate the item selected by the user. The self-service kiosk may also include a packaging system. The packaging system may sealingly enclose the item in a package. Further, the self-service kiosk may include a bin that may dispense the package, including the item, to the user.

Abstract: Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging.

Abstract: This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

Abstract: A self-service knife-sharpening kiosk is disclosed. The kiosk may have a housing and a board within the housing. The board may be configured to receive a knife. The kiosk may have an imaging device configured to scan a cutting edge of the knife. Further, the kiosk may have a sharpening wheel configured to sharpen the cutting edge. The kiosk may also have a manipulator disposed within the housing. The manipulator may be configured to pick up the knife from the board. The manipulator may also be configured to orient the knife in a first position such that the imaging device detects the cutting edge of the knife. The manipulator may be configured to orient the knife in a second position such that the cutting edge of the knife contacts the sharpening wheel. The manipulator may also be configured to replace the at least one knife on the board.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk is disclosed. The self-service kiosk may have a housing, including a user interface. The user interface may receive from a user a selection of an item. The user interface may also receive from the user a payment for a purchase of the item. The self-service kiosk may include a fabrication system disposed within the housing. The fabrication system may fabricate the item selected by the user. The self-service kiosk may also include a packaging system. The packaging system may sealingly enclose the item in a package. Further, the self-service kiosk may include a bin that may dispense the package, including the item, to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, user interfaces for displaying a transfer request, detecting user input directed to initiating a transfer corresponding to the request and receiving authentication information to authorize the transfer corresponding to the request are described.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for carrying out peer-to-peer financial transactions using one or more electronic devices. In one embodiment, a request for payment is transmitted from a first device to a second device using a near field communication (NFC) interface. In response to the request, the second device may transmit payment information to the first device. The first device may select a crediting account and, using a suitable communication protocol, may communicate the received payment information and selected crediting account to one or more external financial servers configured to process and determine whether the payment may be authorized. If the payment is authorized, a payment may be credited to the selected crediting account. In a further embodiment, a device may include a camera configured to obtain an image of a payment instrument. The device may further include an application to extract payment information from the acquired image.

Abstract: This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for carrying out peer-to-peer financial transactions using one or more electronic devices. In one embodiment, a request for payment is transmitted from a first device to a second device using a near field communication (NFC) interface. In response to the request, the second device may transmit payment information to the first device. The first device may select a crediting account and, using a suitable communication protocol, may communicate the received payment information and selected crediting account to one or more external financial servers configured to process and determine whether the payment may be authorized. If the payment is authorized, a payment may be credited to the selected crediting account. In a further embodiment, a device may include a camera configured to obtain an image of a payment instrument. The device may further include an application to extract payment information from the acquired image.

Abstract: Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging.