Abstract: Systems and techniques for edge-cache optimization of personalized webpages are described herein. A request may be received for a web page from a content delivery network. Requests may be received for user fragments, page layout fragments, personalization decisions fragments, and page content fragments. Directives may be generated in response to the requests including user fragment directives, page layout fragment directives, user data storage directives, a set of fixed section directives, and a set of personalized section directives. The generated directives may be used to construct content fragment caching directives for the page fragments. The content fragment caching directives are transmitted to the content delivery network to provide cashing instructions for the page fragments.

Abstract: A system and method are presented relating to a hybrid portable charging device having an internal battery and an internal supercapacitor. Input logic is implemented as part of the management system for the charging device. In one embodiment, input power is analyzed to determine whether the input power level is low, medium, or high, with input power being diverted to the battery or supercapacitor depending on the determined input power level. At high input power, the supercapacitor is charged first. At low input power, the battery is charged first. At medium power, the input power is split between the supercapacitor and the battery. In another embodiment, output can be directed using output logic so that power flows first from the supercapacitor so that the supercapacitor is fully discharged before battery power is output to the load on the charging device.

Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for generating, updating, and customizing user interface content and functionality based on user activity and a customer level of interest (affinity) for a particular commerce information item are disclosed. In an example, electronic operations used for generating and updating output of a user interface includes: processing streaming events that represent user activity involving a commerce information item performed by a user in a user interface; identifying a current score of the user activity from the streaming events; generating an affinity score corresponding to the commerce information item, based on forward time decay of a history score and a future score; and providing output in a user interface based on the generated affinity score. With these techniques, engagement and affinity of particular products/services, product groups, and offers, can be measured and tracked to enable improved outputs in an electronic commerce website or app.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for using a plurality of data caches to increase the efficiency of a computing system in an e-commerce environment. Separate caches with distinct time-to-live values are created, one each for customer information, customer cart contents, and product pricing data. Product pricing is pre-analyzed using a pricing data engine that calculates multiple potential prices for a single item that is then stored in the product pricing data cache. This data can then be used in a variety of contexts to determine different pricing for the same product without requiring another request for product data from the pricing data engine. When a product is viewed during catalog browsing, all information needed to determine pricing for that particular user might be accessible from the data caches for fast processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, methods, and other techniques and configurations for automation of computing system maintenance activities such as reboots, software installations, re-configuration, or other actions are generally described herein. In an example, an automation tool set is designed to integrate with an organization Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and other orchestration or information technology (IT) management tools to perform such maintenance actions. The automation tool set may enable and manage various forms of a workflow for maintenance actions, including a workflow designed to validate all necessary pre- and post-reboot checks, perform logging, event tracking, exception handling, notifications, incidents creation, trend analysis, customized reporting dashboards, and system adaptation. In further examples, the automation tool set may expose user interfaces, reports, and other management interfaces for control and monitoring of the workflows.

Abstract: A video system and method are presented that uses an output-receiving microphone mounted on the housing of the video system to receive a signal representative of the output of a speaker in a use-environment. This signal is compared with a second signal received from a spoken-word microphone that is mounted more remotely from the speaker. In some embodiments, the spoken-word microphone is positioned in a low-pass filter tune pipe and is combined with a separate spoken-word microphone in a tuned microphone array so as to filter out frequencies not associated with the human voice. The two signals are magnitude matched, and the first signal is subtracted from the second to generate an improved voice signal for a voice recognition system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are presented that provide a modular mechanism for securing and displaying ESL devices from a variety of structures and surfaces common to a commercial environment. Included are different types of holders for supporting different types of ESL devices, and a variety of types of surface adapters, each of which are uniquely configured for securement to a surface or structure, but which also have a uniform system of engagement that allows their use with any of the holders.

Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of use are presented that resize a displayed program presentation based on a requested television size, which allows a single large display monitor (television) to act as a proxy of all the smaller television sizes available in a given model line of televisions. The resized program is presented on the display monitor with a physical size larger than the requested size. Pricing information for the requested television size is superimposed on the presented resized program. Outlines for intermediate sizes of televisions of the same make and model to that of the display monitor are also presented in the presented program, including size and price indicators for the intermediate sizes. Multiple display monitors, each having a separate media player, can be implemented in a retail environment so as to allow several makes and models to be compared. Sync signals keep video transmitted by the media players synchronized.

Abstract: A system and method are presented relating to a hybrid portable charging device having an internal battery and an internal supercapacitor. Input logic is implemented as part of the management system for the charging device. In one embodiment, input power is analyzed to determine whether the input power level is low, medium, or high, with input power being diverted to the battery or supercapacitor depending on the determined input power level. At high input power, the supercapacitor is charged first. At low input power, the battery is charged first. At medium power, the input power is split between the supercapacitor and the battery. In another embodiment, output can be directed using output logic so that power flows first from the supercapacitor so that the supercapacitor is fully discharged before battery power is output to the load on the charging device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the secure distribution of firmware and configuration updates to un-networked physical devices. A client component is provided for installation on a client device, which is configured to receive, via the client component, a status data packet including a status indication from a beacon, when the client is proximate to the beacon. A server receives the status data packet via the client component, determines whether an update is available for the beacon based at least in part on the status indication, and transmits, to the client device, an encrypted update data message relating to the update for installation at the beacon to complete the update of the beacon.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for dynamic edge content personalization are described herein. A request for a webpage may be received from a content delivery network for a user. Callback instructions may be generated for a user fragment and a webpage fragment. The webpage may be configured using a webpage template. A set of personalized content fragments may be received that correspond to the webpage template. A personalized content fragment may be selected for the user from the set of personalized content fragments using the callback instructions for the user fragment. The personalized content fragment may be transmitted to the content delivery network. The content delivery network may use the personalized content fragment and callback instructions for the webpage to render and deliver the webpage to the user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for edge cache static asset optimization are described herein. A set of tracking instructions may be generated for execution at an edge cache server of the content delivery system. A static asset may be identified that is included in a webpage delivery session. A type may be determined for the static asset. The static asset may be grouped with a set of other static assets based on the type. The webpage request may be processed by processing the static asset. The set of tracking instructions may be transmitted to an edge cache server for storage in an edge cache of an edge network.

Abstract: An AC adapter having electronics for converting AC electricity to DC voltage is presented herein. The adapter includes an adapter housing, a plug and a built-in extension cord contained within a storage cavity defined by the adapter housing. The extension cord extends from the electronics to the plug. In a first engagement state the plug is mechanically engaged to the adapter housing such that the plug body completely covers the opening into the storage cavity, and the adapter housing and plug are a single structure that may be plugged directly into a wall outlet. In a second engagement state the plug is removed from the mechanical engagement with the adapter housing, and may be plugged into an outlet some distance from the adapter housing as limited by the length of the extension cord, which maintains electrical connection between the plug and the electronics within the adapter housing.

Abstract: An electrical extension cord with a unique jack for use with an AC adapter assembly is presented. The jack includes a housing that defines a planar surface upon which a channel structure is positioned. The channel structure defines first and second channels which are sized and shaped to receive one of the pins of a 2-pin foldable plug of the AC adapter when the plug is in the folded state and contained within a recess of the AC adapter body.

Abstract: A system for displaying electronic shelf labels (ESLs) or other devices includes a label holder. The label holder includes a base plate, adhesive, suction cups, and dowels. The base plate has two opposing side upon which an ESL may be adhesively engaged and supported. When supporting a single ESL on only one side of the base plate, the opposite side of the base plate may be equipped with suction cups or front facing dowels with which the label holder may be attached to a surface. When supporting ESLs on both sides of the base plate, dowels may be inserted along perimeter surfaces of the base plate in order to allow the holder to be secured into or onto surfaces having openings capable of receiving the exposed ends of the dowels, such as those constructed of pegboard, etc.

Abstract: Various systems and methods may be used to provide charge to a battery and play audio. For example, a wireless headphone device may include one or more coils, such as a first coil which may be actuatable at an audio frequency. The first coil or a second coil may be tuned to a charging frequency to receive a charge (e.g., via induction) from a charging device. In an example, the wireless headphone device may be a true wireless headphone device. In an example, the true wireless headphone device includes a single coil, which is actuatable to play sound as well as receive a charge at a charging frequency.

Abstract: A user interface verification device and a method of use is presented for recognizing a three-hand gesture on a touchscreen of the device. The gesture is recognized by detecting a plurality of contact points in at least two, disparate touching zones, and simultaneously detecting additional contact points in a third, disparate touching zone. In one embodiment, the device displays content in a review mode that can be reviewed in a normal manner. In the execution mode, the device requires a signature, a touch, or another sign of acceptance involving a touch within the third touching zone. The device can ensure that a customer directly provides consent by requiring that the two, multi-point touching zones are tactilely engaged by both hands of a presenter while in the execution mode.

Abstract: A system and method are presented that monitor components of an appliance for predicted, future failures. A sensor element is attached to the appliance to obtain movement and magnetic field data from the appliance. The sensor element can be attached to the metal shell of the appliance. A base sensor component receives data from the sensor element, and then divides individual signals into sub-frequencies. In one embodiment, 3-D signals relevant to position change, acceleration, and detected electromagnetic field at the sensor are all analyzed by the base sensor, along with a current draw signal for the appliance. Changes in the signals are reported to a server, that compares changes to a prepopulated database. This database correlates changes in sensor signals with predicted failures of appliance components. Identified components with a predicted, future failure are replaced before the failure.

Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for generating and implementing recipes and scripts to enable the orchestration of actions, activities, and configurations within smart devices and device networks (including the Internet of Things “IoT” network topologies) are described herein. In an example, a method for smart device orchestration and configuration includes: obtaining an orchestration recipe that defines a sequence of actions to be performed among multiple types of smart devices; activating the orchestration recipe for use upon multiple smart devices associated with a user, based on at least one condition to perform the sequence of actions; associating the orchestration recipe with respective configurations of the multiple smart devices associated with the user; and initiating the orchestration recipe, to cause the sequence of actions to be performed with the multiple smart devices, including via cloud-based device services that control the multiple smart devices associated with the user.