Abstract: A redundant power supply system for aircraft seats, includes: a first power supply module having a first AC to DC power converter configured to supply power to a first auxiliary board, the first auxiliary board being configured to supply power to a plurality of aircraft seats via a plurality of communication bus channels; a second power supply module having a second AC to DC power converter configured to supply power to a second auxiliary board, the second auxiliary board being configured to supply power to the plurality of aircraft seats via the plurality of communication bus channels; and a power supply link configured to connect the first auxiliary board and the second auxiliary board enabling the first AC to DC power converter to power the second auxiliary board via the power supply link.

Abstract: A redundant power supply system for aircraft seats, includes: a first power supply module having a first AC to DC power converter configured to supply power to a first auxiliary board, the first auxiliary board being configured to supply power to a plurality of aircraft seats via a plurality of communication bus channels; a second power supply module having a second AC to DC power converter configured to supply power to a second auxiliary board, the second auxiliary board being configured to supply power to the plurality of aircraft seats via the plurality of communication bus channels; and a power supply link configured to connect the first auxiliary board and the second auxiliary board enabling the first AC to DC power converter to power the second auxiliary board via the power supply link.

Abstract: A seat actuation control system includes at least one seat having a plurality of seat devices and a plurality of control modules interconnected over a communication bus. Each module is associated with a corresponding seat control device and is configured to control its corresponding seat device. Each module includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and storing program instructions therein which include receiving a status packet from each of the other control modules over the communication bus, processing the status packet for updating the overall system status, and actuating the seat device based on the overall system status. The program instructions further include determining status of the corresponding seat device, generating a status packet including the status information, and broadcasting the status packet to the other modules over the communication bus.

Abstract: A seat actuation control system includes at least one seat having a plurality of seat devices and a plurality of control modules interconnected over a communication bus. Each module is associated with a corresponding seat control device and is configured to control its corresponding seat device. Each module includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and storing program instructions therein which include receiving a status packet from each of the other control modules over the communication bus, processing the status packet for updating the overall system status, and actuating the seat device based on the overall system status. The program instructions further include determining status of the corresponding seat device, generating a status packet including the status information, and broadcasting the status packet to the other modules over the communication bus.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a satellite vend operation. A first (parent) vending machine is operable to dispense a product from a product storage display area located in a second (child) vending machine. The first (parent) vending machine can control or interact with the functions of the second (child) vending machine. A programming menu on the first (parent) vending machine is automatically configured for a satellite vend operation when the first (parent) vending machine pairs with the second (child) vending machine. An operator is provided, in the programming menu located on the parent vending machine, relevant information associated with the child vending machine and relevant information associated with the parent vending machine.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a satellite vend operation. A first (parent) vending machine is operable to dispense a product from a product storage display area located in a second (child) vending machine. The first (parent) vending machine can control or interact with the functions of the second (child) vending machine. A programming menu on the first (parent) vending machine is automatically configured for a satellite vend operation when the first (parent) vending machine pairs with the second (child) vending machine. An operator is provided, in the programming menu located on the parent vending machine, relevant information associated with the child vending machine and relevant information associated with the parent vending machine.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a combination vend operation. The system and method include a first (parent) vending machine operable to discount a product when an associated product is selected. The combination vend operation may be performed when the discounted product and the associated product are in different vending machines. The same of first (parent) vending machine directs a second (child) vending machine to dispense the discounted product during the combo vend operation. A consumer may purchase the discounted product at the discounted price after or while purchasing the associated product.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a coin handler, a bill handler, and a vending machine controller (VMC). The bill handler communicates with the coin handler and the VMC. The bill handler includes a bill recycler and a controller. The controller receives a Coin Tubes message from the coin handler. The Coin Tubes message includes information about a coin denomination available for dispensing in the coin handler. The controller produces a second Coin Tubes message by adding information about a bill denomination available for dispensing in the bill handler to the first Coin Tubes message. The controller sends the second Coin Tubes message to the VMC. The controller receives a Change Issue message from the VMC, that identifies an amount of money to be dispensed from the vending machine. In response, the controller causes the bill recycler to dispense at least one bill.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: A bezel for use in a merchandising system is provided. The bezel includes an information display and a graphic display including one or more visual indicators. The bezel also includes a card reader configured to process payments from a cashless payment card. The bezel further includes a bill recycler access slot providing access to a bill recycler. In the bezel, illumination of the graphic display is controlled in response to information received from the bill recycler.

Abstract: An ultra low-power transmission system for use with a battery-operated device. The ultra-low power transmission system comprises an encoded transmitter and an addressable ultra -low power receiver. The ultra low-power receiver comprises an RF front-end block for receiving and demodulating an incoming RF signal. The RF front-end block includes an amplifier for amplifying the received RF signal and a frequency discriminator for demodulating the amplified RF signal to produce a baseband signal. The amplifier and the frequency discriminator are each comprised of enhancement mode, high-mobility electron transistors (E-HEMTs). The ultra low-power further receiver comprises a correlator for receiving the baseband signal from the frequency discriminator and detecting a codeword therein. The correlator comprises a plurality of switched capacitors for storing samples of the baseband signal. The correlator is operable to couple the plurality of switched capacitors in order to integrate the samples stored thereon.

Abstract: Trays within a given level of a drum-type vending machine form individual zones, and may be further subdivided into additional individual zones, for which pricing may be separately specified. A vend door for the corresponding level is constrained to allow access to a given zone upon payment of the appropriate amount. More levels and greater flexibility in pricing and product selection are thus enabled, together with greater control over vending operations.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a powered seat includes storing a first position of at least one seat part in a memory, calculating a second position of the at least one seat part by adding to the first position a difference between a predetermined value of first position and a predetermined value of the second position, and storing the calculated second position in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a beverage product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the beverage product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vending machine is provided. The lighting system includes an LED light source extending along a first inner surface of the vending machine and a reflective surface extending along a second inner surface of the vending machine. The reflective surface is capable of reflecting light emitted by the light source in one direction in order to provide light to the interior of the vending machine from multiple directions.

Abstract: A collision handling receiver for use in a data communication network. The collision handling system and method comprises collision handling receivers together with transmitters inserting pseudo-random delays. Accordingly, multiple sources may transmit simultaneous messages to a receiver so that the messages arrive with varying signal levels and times of arrival. The receiver sorts the symbols into separate sequences by grouping together symbols having similar time of arrival. In addition, the receiver retains the sequences with sufficiently reliable symbol detection, for example, when 75% of the symbols in a sequence are detected with sufficient quality. Receiver then ranks the retained transmitters by received signal level and decodes the messages from transmitters with highest received signal level.

Abstract: A system and method for iterative sequential carrier acquisition for estimating and correcting large carrier frequency offsets without adding significantly to receiver complexity or preamble length. A coarse frequency estimation is performed during a brief carrier acquisition phase that is completed during a reasonably short preamble, and then the system hands frequency control to the nominal carrier frequency & phase tracking of a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit. The present disclosure generally includes an initialization mode, a pre-lock scan mode, an iterative search mode and a termination mode.

Abstract: To avoid the time and cost of manually changing price labels for each product column on each shelf 104, 114 within a vending machine 101, 111, a single elongate price display 206 is provided having an electronic price display region 205 for each product column on the shelf and a single set of electrical connections to the controller 301. Price values for each product column are stored in a memory 302 accessible to the controller and may be quickly and easily changed using an external device, such as a hand held data carrier with a DEXUCS interface or a wireless device. Small price changes may thus be economically effected.

Abstract: A Hall effect generator chip is mounted between adjacent ends of an annular, horseshoe spacer of nonmagnetic material. The generator is sensitive to the flux density (B field) tangential to its top and bottom surfaces. The spacer and generator are sandwiched between ferromagnetic rings, each having a small air gap overlying/underlying the generator. A circuit including the generator supplies an output linearly proportional to the current of an adjacent conductor with reduced hysteresis and small variability over a temperature range.