Abstract: The stages of an interaction between a potential customer (the user) and a sales representative (the agent) during a sales interaction are identified to understand the interaction factors that drive sales and, by doing so, to serve the customer better and thus increase sales. Initially, a user makes contact with an agent via a communications network. During the interaction, a dropping point is reached, i.e. the point in the interaction at which either the user or the agent ends the interaction. The dropping point and other interaction factors is analyzed. Based upon such analysis, various recommendations are made to the agents to improve the user's sales experience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include delay line circuitry that is integrated with an organic substrate. Organic dielectric material and a plurality of conductive layers form the organic substrate. The delay line circuitry includes a piezoelectric transducer to receive a guided electromagnetic wave signal and to generate an acoustic wave signal to be transmitted with an acoustic transmission medium. An acoustic reflector is communicatively coupled to the acoustic transmission medium. The acoustic reflector receives a plurality of acoustic wave signals from the acoustic transmission medium and reflects acoustic wave signals to the piezoelectric transducer using the acoustic transmission medium. The transducer converts the reflected acoustic signals into electromagnetic waves which are then transmitted back through the antenna and decoded by the reader.

Abstract: Signal interference is automatically avoided between product proximity subsystems that emit signals through mutually facing presentation windows of different workstations. A magnetometer in each workstation determines a direction faced by a respective presentation window. A controller in each workstation controls a respective product proximity subsystem to emit and receive a signal with a first signal characteristic when the respective magnetometer determines that the respective presentation window faces a first direction, and controls a respective product proximity subsystem to emit and receive a signal with a different second signal characteristic when the respective magnetometer determines that the respective presentation window faces a different second direction.

Abstract: An imaging sensor of an imaging reader senses return light from a target to be read by image capture along an imaging axis over a field of view that extends along mutually orthogonal, horizontal and vertical axes. Two aiming light assemblies are offset from the sensor, and direct an aiming light pattern at the target. The pattern has an aiming mark in a central area of the pattern, and a pair of aiming light lines that are collinear along the horizontal axis. The visibility of the aiming mark is enhanced by optically configuring the aiming mark to be different in brightness relative to a remaining area of the pattern by specially configuring aiming lenses with regions of different optical power to forte each aiming light line of non-uniform brightness. The aiming mark of enhanced visibility constitutes a prominent visual indicator of a center zone of the field of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) which comprises a receiving member (110) configured to receive a chip card (200). The chip card (200) is configured for contactless communication with a first hardware interface (311). The apparatus (100) further comprises communication means (120) configured to enable contactless communication with a second hardware interface (321), wherein the first hardware interface (311) and the second hardware interface (321) are hardware interfaces of different types. The communication means (120) are configured to enable a communication of the communication means (120) with the chip card (200) when the chip card (200) is received in the receiving member (110).

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and techniques relating to security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may include determining a presence of a first device proximate at least one entry to a location, obtaining information related to an identification of an entity associated with the at least one device, authenticating the first device, the authenticating based at least in part on obtaining information related to the identification, and taking an action based at least in part on determining the authenticity.

Abstract: A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor.

Abstract: A staged payment transaction method comprises receiving transaction information, identifying a staging record at a computer system or data processor, and providing a retrieval key or token to a user device. The staging record comprises the transaction information and the retrieval key or token identifies the staging record for finalizing the transaction.

Abstract: Machine-readable symbol reader systems including one or more shields are provided. One example machine-readable symbol reader system includes a conveyor system to convey objects bearing one or more machine-readable symbols past a first region that is transmissive to light. The system includes a machine-readable symbol reader having a housing, a window formed in the housing, and at least one optical sensor received in the housing and having a field of view that extends outward of the window, at least the window of the machine-readable symbol reader positioned relatively below the conveyor system with the field of view aligned with the first region of the conveyor system. The system can further include a shield having a frame with a plurality of apertures that are transmissive to light, the shield positioned relatively below the first region and positioned relatively above the window of the machine-readable symbol reader.

Abstract: A method of fire control against aerial targets traveling towards an object of protection. A position of the object of protection is known. A position of the aerial target is measured. The position of the aerial target is estimated. A velocity of the aerial target is estimated. A model of a guidance law of the aerial target is applied. An acceleration of the aerial target sufficient to hit the object of protection is calculated. A future trajectory of the aerial target is predicted based on the position of the object of protection, the estimated position of the aerial target, the estimated velocity of the aerial target, and the calculated acceleration of the aerial target. Points of aim along the predicted future trajectory are calculated. A fire control system includes at least one sensor for measuring the position of the aerial target as a function of time.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor communicatively coupled to a system bus, a memory, a communication interface, and a pluggable imaging assembly identified by a type identifier and configured to acquire an image comprising decodable indicia. The imaging assembly can comprise a two-dimensional image sensor configured to output an analog signal representative of the light reflected by an object located within the field of view of the imaging assembly. The EIR terminal can be configured to output, by processing the analog signal, the raw image data derived from the analog signal and/or a decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia. The imaging assembly can be communicatively coupled to the system bus via an imaging assembly interface comprising a plurality of wires and a multi-pin connector. The imaging assembly interface can comprise one or more wires configured to carry the imaging assembly type identifier.

Abstract: Retrofitted vending systems including a card reader and a vending machine in communication with the card reader are disclosed. The systems may include a spacer positioned between the card reader and the vending machine that is adapted for mounting the card reader to the vending machine. Wireless communication device are also disclosed. The wireless communication devices may be electronically coupled to the vending machine and may include a bracket configured for attachment in the spacer and a wireless communication board fastened to the bracket.

Abstract: A method of staging a transaction includes receiving transaction information at an automated terminal. A staging record is generated for the transaction, responsive to the transaction information received. The staging record includes a retrieval key to identify the staging record, and a transaction type identifier. Instructions are provided for fulfillment of the transaction at an agent terminal, where the transaction is rejected if the retrieval key does not lead to the staging record and the transaction proceeds if the retrieval key leads to the staging record.

Abstract: An electronic entity includes a module formed of a support film carrying, on an internal face, a microcircuit and a first coupling coil, and a body including a cavity in which this module is fixed, the support film having an external surface running at least approximately alongside an upper surface of this body, and containing an antenna and a second coupling coil connected to this antenna and intended for the coupling of the antenna with the microcircuit by electromagnetic coupling with the first coupling coil; this second coupling coil (likewise may be the case for the antenna and the first coupling coil) is formed on a thickness of at most a few microns in a plane situated, with respect to the upper surface of the body, at a distance of less than half the distance with respect to the surface opposite from this upper surface of this body.

Abstract: A method of performing an interactive procedure with a portable smart device utilizes assets that include asset identifiers in an industrial facility. The method provides indicia and/or photographs on a display of the portable smart device for procedural steps of a procedure to be performed on an industrial facility. The portable smart device receives an input to begin the procedure, displays indicia and/or photographs of an asset location and a first procedural step for an asset having an asset identifier. The portable smart device scans an asset identifier to ensure the proper asset is located. Thereafter, a procedural step for the asset is displayed. Upon performance of the step, an operator provides a confirmation to the smart device for ensuring that the procedural step is performed.

Abstract: A device which allows connection of external objects is disclosed. The device comprises: an array of contact pads, each contact pad operable in an active state and an idle state; a space for one or more objects that can be inserted into the device to make contact with at least part of the contact pads when inserted; and a control element electrically connected to the contact pads. The contact pads in the active state are reconfigurable by the control element based on the contact made with at least part of the contact pads by one or more objects inserted into the device. A method and system are also presented.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves: a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content; the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content; the computing device receiving a second video-stream that represents second video-content; the computing device generating a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the second video-content; the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modeled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: An identifiable ticket contains: a body and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached on the body. The RFID tag includes a chip and an antenna, the chip stores an identified message, and the antenna is electrically connected with the chip. The body includes a ticket stub and at least one separable part removable from the ticket stub so as to tear off the antenna, hence the RFID tag responds reading operations of at least one tag reader in different frequency bands and distances after the antenna is torn off or based on a length of the antenna. A monitoring system for the identifiable ticket contains the identifiable ticket, a computer, and the at least one tag reader. The at least one tag reader is connected with the computer and reads the RFID tag so as to acquire and to send the identified message to the computer.

Abstract: Implementations of an apparatus including a housing having therein at least one light source, the at least one light source oriented to direct light out one side of the housing, and an arc-shaped reflector connected to the housing, the arc-shaped reflector having a reflecting surface optically coupled to the at least one light source to reflect light from the at least one light source to a position adjacent to the housing.