Abstract: A merchandising system having a power distribution device associated with a package support system, and a package having a sensory output such as an image display capable of using power, data and/or signals provided from the power distribution device to produce a desired output when the package is associated with the package support system. Packaging materials of the package form the coupling medium for contactless coupling such as capacitive coupling of a controlled signal provided to the package support system to a display on the package.

Abstract: A customer terminal of a “self-scanning shopping” system, which is configured to store at least one shopping session in a non volatile memory, includes a main processor, a product code reader, a location for non volatile storage of an open shopping session indicator and/or an identifier, either direct or indirect, of a shopping session, and a supervisor circuit. In a working operating state, the main processor periodically sends a heartbeat to the supervisor circuit. The supervisor circuit commands a reset of the main processor when, from the lack of receipt of the heartbeat, it detects a non working operating state of the main processor. The main processor, upon reset, checks whether there is an open shopping session based on the contents of said memory location and in the affirmative case restores said shopping session.

Abstract: A retail store communications network, a point of transaction (POT) terminal and methods of using the same according to embodiments of the application can include a hand held and/or stationary optical reader for reading a bar code symbol of an item and generating a decoded out bar code data message. The network is configured so that the POT terminal can use linked or identified mobile devices by way of wireless communication, to provide a sequenced order of identified customers at the POT terminal among a plurality of discoverable wireless devices.

Abstract: A mail processing system and method. A method includes receiving a mailing manifest that includes mailpiece identifiers. Each mailpiece identifier corresponds to an individual mailpiece in a group of mailpieces, and the mailing manifest includes a mailer identification that identifies the mailer of the group of mailpieces. The method includes processing the group of mailpieces and tracking the status of each of the mailpieces. The method includes updating the status of the mailpiece identifiers on the mailing manifest according to the tracking, and producing mail processing data. The method includes analyzing and storing the mail processing data.

Abstract: A method and device of charging a battery is provided. A charging device transmits a charging initiation request including a charging identifier for identifying a user to an electric meter and receives a charging initiation response from the electricity meter. The charging device performs charging by connecting the charging station with the battery after receiving the charging initiation response. The charging device receives charging information indicating billing information according to the charging of the battery from the electricity meter.

Abstract: In an information processing device (settlement terminal device), a first main body that accommodates a first information processing unit in a first housing including a first input display unit (first touch panel), and a second main body that includes a second housing from which a seat unit for detachably attaching the first main body extends, and accommodates a secure second information processing unit which includes a second input display unit (second touch panel) disposed in the second housing to be on the same plane as that of the first input display unit of the first main body attached to the seat unit, and which has tamper resistance, are provided. In the information processing device, the first input display unit and the second input display unit are preferably arranged on the same plane. A secure portion can secure physically high tamper-resistance performance and the high robustness of the entire device.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), comprising an improved Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) calculation, a reduced set of feature landmarks, the use of Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) to detect measurement motion, and the use of one-time use features and absolute reference landmarks.

Abstract: A method to improve estimation and stabilization of heading in an inertial navigation system is provided. The method includes operating an inertial measurement unit oriented in a first orientation, forward-rotating the operational inertial measurement unit by a selected-rotation angle about a Z-body axis of the inertial navigation system, wherein the inertial measurement unit is oriented in a second orientation, operating the inertial measurement unit oriented in the second orientation, reverse-rotating the operational inertial measurement unit by the selected-rotation angle about the Z-body axis, wherein the inertial measurement unit is oriented in the first orientation, continuously receiving information indicative of an orientation of the inertial measurement unit at a rotational compensator, and continuously-rotationally compensating navigation module output at the rotational compensator, wherein output of the rotational compensator is independent of the rotating.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing financial transactions by controlling the purchase of allowed and disallowed purchase items. A transaction control card is used to purchase a purchase item. Account information related to the transaction control card and purchase item data related to the purchase item is then processed to determine whether the purchase item is disallowed for purchase by any single, or combination of, disallowed purchase item data parameters.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, path determination includes receiving terrain elevation data comprising elevation values for locations of an area, where each elevation value indicates an elevation at a location. One or more gradient matrices are calculated from the elevation values. Each gradient matrix comprises gradient values corresponding to the locations. Traversable segments are determined from the gradient matrices, and a path is determined from the traversable segments.

Abstract: A system for determining a route is provided. The system includes a method for determining estimation function values corresponding to a plurality of vertices on a first graph, where the first graph corresponds to a first route network. The method further includes searching for a first route from a first starting point to the destination on a second graph based on the estimation function values. The system further includes a storage unit and a processor coupled to the storage unit for receiving graph data, where the processor is configured to determine estimation function values corresponding to a plurality of vertices on the first graph corresponding to a first route network, and is further configured to search for a route from a first starting point to the destination on a second graph based on the estimation function values. The device may further include an input unit, a clock unit, a traffic message receiver, and/or a position determining unit.

Abstract: Attendance tracking via mobile devices may be provided. Once a meeting begins, a plurality of mobile devices present at the meeting may be identified. An attendance report for a plurality of attendees at the meeting may be provided based on the presence of each of the identified plurality of mobile devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for generating a route for a ship. A start point and an end point are identified for the ship. A number of forecasts of weather conditions is obtained for a period of time to travel from the start point to the end point. A probability of reaching the end point from the start point is generated for a number of routes from the start point to the end point for the ship within the period of time using the number of forecasts of weather conditions to form a number of probabilities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for device provisioning. According to one example embodiment of the invention, a method can be provided. The method can include identifying, from a computer-readable memory, provisioning information associated with a device; attaching the provisioning information to an item; and preparing the item to be sent to a location of the associated device, wherein the device is provisioned based at least in part on the item. In certain embodiments, one or more operations can be performed by one or more computers associated with a service provider.

Abstract: A method for representing and managing an inventory of overlapping multi-dimensional items such as advertising or ad impressions. The method uses an inventory management module to generate unique segment identifiers for sets of inventory items by processing descriptions of the sets of impressions including defining criteria. The method includes processing the unique segment identifiers to create a representation of the inventory as a plurality of inventory regions, which may include non-overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in a single set of the inventory and also include overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in two or more of the sets (e.g., items that match two or more sets of defining criteria or attributes). Availability and selection of inventory is determined using the information on inventory regions to control effects of cannibalization, such as by implementing logically necessary allocation to only cannibalize a region on a limited or forced basis.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for initiating shipment of and payment for shipping a parcel. For example, in one embodiment, a customer/user can receive a message on a user device from a carrier that includes an authorization code for shipping a parcel. After the customer/user ships the parcel, the carrier can charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider associated with the user device. In another embodiment, the customer/user can interact with a kiosk to ship the parcel. In this embodiment, the carrier can also charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider.

Abstract: A method for representing and managing an inventory of overlapping multi-dimensional items such as advertising or ad impressions. The method uses an inventory management module to generate unique segment identifiers for sets of inventory items by processing descriptions of the sets of impressions including defining criteria. The method includes processing the unique segment identifiers to create a representation of the inventory as a plurality of inventory regions, which may include non-overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in a single set of the inventory and also include overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in two or more of the sets (e.g., items that match two or more sets of defining criteria or attributes). Availability and selection of inventory is determined using the information on inventory regions to control effects of cannibalization, such as by implementing logically necessary allocation to only cannibalize a region on a limited or forced basis.

Abstract: A door courtesy switch abnormality detection apparatus used in an on-vehicle system in which a door unlocked status is formed based on a wireless signal transmitted from an electronic key is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to generate information representing an abnormality in the door courtesy switch, if the electronic key in a cabin of a vehicle is detected by a antenna having the detection area thereof within the cabin of the vehicle in a situation where an ON/OFF signal of the door courtesy switch is not inverted after the door unlock operation is detected.

Abstract: An emission map of a circuit to be tested for alterations is obtained by measuring the physical circuit to be tested. An emission map of a reference circuit is obtained by measuring a physical reference circuit or by simulating the emissions expected from the reference circuit. The emission map of the circuit to be tested is compared with the emission map of the reference circuit, to determine presence of alterations in the circuit to be tested, as compared to the reference circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for an enhanced mobile application for assisting users at a point-of-transaction (POT). In one embodiment of the invention the POT assistance application program may determines that a user is conducting a transaction with a merchant. The user may utilize a user device to assist in the transaction. First, the user device may be paired with a POT system, such as a cash register. Once the devices are paired a communication link is created that allows the user to audibly and/or visually monitor the transaction using the user device. Furthermore, the user may flag an item for review during the transaction, silence the transaction, receive a subtotal for the transaction, select a payment method, or complete the transaction using the POT assistance application program.