Abstract: Exemplified systems and methods facilitate secured mobile payment transactions using credit cards, debit cards, bank account without having to transmit credit card, debit card, or bank account numbers over a wireless network. Rather, the exemplified systems and methods facilitate a highly secure and intuitive payment transaction and/or ATM cash withdrawal or transaction via two independent processes tied to a cloud or enterprise network—one performed between a customer computing device and a cloud network or enterprise network and another performed between a merchant computing device (including an ATM system) and the cloud or enterprise network. The validation token comprising a short code between 3 and 6 tokens in length is beneficially realized.

Abstract: An online system maintains user interactions with different entities, such as pages, maintained by the online system. The online system also allows an administrator of multiple entities to merge two or more of the entities. When merging entities, the online system allows the administrator to select specific interactions by the administrator with the entities to be merged that are subsequently associated with the entity resulting from the merge. The online system also presents an interface to other users who have interacted with the entities to be merged that allows the users to select individual interactions with the entities to be merged to be associated with the entity resulting from the merge. The interface allowing the user to select the individual interactions may be accessed via a notification sent to the user by the online system.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle from a remote device, such as a mobile device, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mobile device includes a mobile phone. In other embodiments, any device capable of receiving user input to control the movement may be used. In one embodiment, the system includes a user input receiving module coupled to a processor and configured to receive variations in user input forces applied to a touch-sensitive user interface over a period of time, wherein the intentional or unintentional variations in user input forces over the period of time are indicative of user intent to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing access to inventory items available at vendor locations includes user stations transmitting user inquiries on a communications network. Network-connected location servers access a set of inventory availability information associated with inventory items available at their respective location, for example, tables at a restaurant. The host server receives user inquiries regarding availability of items associated with at least some of the location servers and queries a cache server that locally stores a binary subset of the information from the location servers to determine if the requested item is available without having to separately query the database at each location. Particularly, a web server receives and stores information regarding only whether a requested item is available or not available from a particular location rather than how many items are available at the location.

Abstract: A system and method provides access to antennas of an electronic article surveillance system via WiFi and the Internet. Each antenna of the EAS system has a WiFi chip associated with its controls and the WiFi chip relays the antennas operating parameters as well as its reading of electromagnetic noise in its environment to the Internet. A remote technician can review the information provided by the antennas of the EAS system and optimize their operation with each other and their environments. In some embodiments, remote software can optimize the operation of the EAS system antennas. In some embodiments, the WiFi chip is an aftermarket addition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for outsourcing processing operations between a mobile computing device and a self-propelled device. The self-propelled device may be in operative control by the mobile computing device via a communication connection. Due to latency in the communication connection, the mobile computing device may compile a computer code package for transmission to the self-propelled device. Execution of the computer code package by the self-propelled device may offset operations otherwise performed by the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling access by a series of users to a space and/or particular service. The method includes the following steps for each of the users: requesting access to the space and/or service by the user, issuing an access authorization or denial; opening of an access to the space or the service, if an access authorization was issued; estimating a waiting period prior to accessing the space and/or service when the opening is delayed; and issuing to the user at least one piece of information representative of the waiting period. The estimation step takes account of a number of users having already passed through the access and still waiting in the space and/or the service.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control device includes a communications device for transferring vehicle movement control signals to a remote vehicle and a touch-screen interface configured to present a graphical representation of the remote vehicle and to allow a user to manipulate the graphical representation on the touch-screen. A conversion component converts the manipulation of the graphical representation into vehicle control signals for transfer by the communications device.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall preset parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for managing restaurant customer data elements.

Abstract: A wireless illumination controller with the function to set the lowest driving power includes a microprocessor, a driver, an illumination control switch, and a wireless receiving module. The microprocessor is built in with an adjustable lowest power and connected with the driver, the illumination control switch, the wireless receiving module and a power processing module. The illumination control switch is used to set the lowest power of the microprocessor. After the wireless receiving module receives a wireless illumination adjustment command, the power of the driving signal output from the driver is controlled to be not lower than the lowest power. Therefore, when a user adjusts the illumination, the driving power is never lower than the lowest driving power of the corresponding light bulb, thereby avoiding flickering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for programming domestic appliances and a method for programming assembly-line programmable domestic appliances, especially a system wherein programming occurs without the physical connection between a transmission unit and a reprogrammable processor present in a processing unit integrated into the domestic appliance. The system for programming domestic appliances comprises a remote programming unit (UR) and a reprogrammable processor (PR) present in a processing unit (UP) integrated into the domestic appliance (EN), the remote programming unit (UR) being provided with a data transmission device (TUR) and the reprogrammable processor (PR) present in a processing unit (UP) being provided with a data receiving device (RUP), and the data transmission and reception devices (TUR, RUP) are based on a magnetic field.

Abstract: A system and method for prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device and/or PO system communication. PO devices of the present invention may employ common communications and/or communications/control modules that allow for wireless communication between PO devices and other devices, such as remote controls and data transfer devices. The present invention also provides for a methodology of determinant and non-interfering simultaneous communication between multiple PO devices of a PO system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for synchronizing data received at a central location that has been collected at plural remote locations and separately transmitted to the central location. A plurality of remote sensors is provided and configured to be simultaneously triggered to begin a data collection sequence and to subsequently transmit the collected data along with remote sensor identification data and timing information to the central location. Timing information may include a specifically transmitted time reference or may be derived based on successive transmissions from the individual remote sensors.

Abstract: A method capable of remotely managing the implementation, the installation control and use of cabinets or storage lockers at any location over the Internet, through communication between databases that interconnect the end user needs with the capacities and needs of the location that makes the lockers available.

Abstract: A remote user interface system and method for effectively controlling functions of a client device and remote user interface rendered on the client device by means of a client-specific or content-specific control user interface rendered on a remote control device is provided. A method for controlling a remote user interface device with a remote control device includes broadcasting, at the remote control device, a discovery message for discovering the remote user interface device; performing, when a response is received, a capability exchange and matching with the remote user interface device; rendering a control user interface transmitted by the remote user interface device and displaying the rendered control user interface on a screen; and transmitting, when an input is detected on the control user interface, a control command corresponding to the input to the remote user interface device.

Abstract: An intermediary between a remote control device and a remotely controllable device implements identification and/or authentication. The intermediary is, e.g., a node or set of nodes within a head end of a cable network service provider. A remote control device at a customer premise sends a command intended to control a remotely controllably device which is also located at the same customer premise. The customer premise includes a network interface, e.g., a cable modem, which has associated identification information. The command and the associated network interface identification information are communicated to the intermediary, e.g., via a cable modem. The intermediary accesses a subscriber record corresponding to the location based on the network interface identification information. The intermediary identifies the device to be controlled, e.g., a particular set top box and/or authenticates the remote control device. A command is sent via the network to the device to be controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking items automatically is described. A passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is used with a material tracking system capable of real-time pinpoint location and identification of thousands of items in production and storage areas. Passive RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked, remote sensing antennas are placed at each remote location to be monitored, interrogators with several antenna inputs are connected to the sensing antennas to multiplex the antenna signals, and a host computer communicates with the interrogators to determine item locations to an exacting measure.

Abstract: A remote control is configured to control a multimedia appliance and to be communicatively coupled to a remote server via a network. The remote server is configured to provides information to the remote control via the network. The remote control includes a transmitter configured to send commands to the multimedia appliance. The remote control further includes a memory configured to store information provided by the remote server. The remote control further includes a controller configured to synchronize information with the remote server to obtain current information on an irregular basis from the remote server to thereby obtain information that degrades partially over time.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an electronic apparatus, a server, and an external apparatus. The electronic apparatus acquires operation information for the electronic apparatus from the server, and directs the electronic apparatus to operate according to the operation information. The server receives an external apparatus identifier, electronic apparatus identifier, and operation information, from the external apparatus, and accumulates the information. The external apparatus accepts input of the electronic apparatus identifier and the operation information, and transmits the external apparatus identifier and the operation information to the server. Such an information processing system enables operation information for an electronic apparatus to be set and acquired, without directly accessing an electronic apparatus from an external apparatus, improving security.

Abstract: A system and method for prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device and/or PO system communication. PO devices of the present invention preferably employ common communication modules that allow for wireless communication between PO devices and other devices, such as remote controls and data transfer devices. The present invention also provides for a methodology of determinant and non-interfering simultaneous communication between multiple PO devices of a PO system.

Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, a user interface for selecting a command associated with the one or more vehicle functions, a controller for processing the selected command, the controller having a plurality of input ports, and a switch array including a plurality of switches corresponding to the one or more vehicle functions. The plurality of switches can be divided into a first set and a second set with the first set of switches being connected across a fixed voltage and a controller input port and the second set of switches being connected across multiple controller input ports. The at least one of the controller input ports connecting the second set of switches may be temporarily configurable to an output port for determining which of the plurality of switches has been actuated.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling distant equipment. A passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag within a Programmable Secure Remote Controller (PSRC) receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a transmitter integrated in the distant equipment. The distant equipment is external to and remote from the PSRC. The PRSC does not include an internal source of energy and requires energy from an external source to operate. The PSRC is configured to distribute sufficient energy from the RF signal to components of the PSRC to enable the components to operate. The RFID tag is activated to generate information and the information is decoded to identify the distant equipment. A request to perform an operation that controls the distant equipment is received. After the request is received, a first predefined scenario is activated for performing the operation that controls the distant equipment.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall pre-set parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Abstract: Source of input of an instruction to a remote controller is switched between manipulation on hand and external manipulation. A remote controller includes an instruction input portion accepting input of an instruction for controlling equipment, a supply accepting portion accepting supply of power from a cradle, a charging portion, a power storage portion, a control portion controlling an operation of the remote controller, a storage portion, an infrared light emission portion, and a display portion. The control portion includes a placement detection portion detecting whether or not the remote controller is mounted on the cradle, a selection portion switching between sources of input of the instruction from the instruction input portion based on a result of detection by the placement detection portion, and a control signal generation portion generating a control signal for controlling the equipment.