Abstract: A central IoT controller is described for conserving power resources of mobile IoT devices. Specifically, the central IoT controller is configured to at least monitor power reserves of mobile IoT devices, and in response to detecting that a power reserve has fallen below a predetermined threshold, generate computer-executable instructions that adjust configuration settings of the mobile IoT devices to conserve a remaining power reserve. The central IoT controller may modify a check-in interval for mobile IoT devices, configure the transmission of data communications via more power-efficient communication protocols, or reduce the number of active sensors on the mobile IoT device based on proximity to a trusted geolocation or a trusted device. Further, data communications may be rerouted via a proximate trusted device or other proximate mobile IoT device, in response to such device providing an efficiency with respect to available communication protocols.

Abstract: A flame effect device (18) for a flame simulator apparatus of an electric fire (10) is provided. The flame effect device (18) comprises a spindle (20) having a longitudinal axis which is in-use rotatable in a flame simulator apparatus; and a plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e), each reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) comprising: a reflector support body (32) having at least one reflector mounting portion (28) thereon and a mounting aperture (34) to engage the reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) with the spindle (20); and at least one reflector (26) to reflect light from an associated light source (24), wherein the at least one reflector (26) is mounted to the at least one reflector mounting portion (28), the plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) being engageable with the spindle (20), each reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) of the plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) being selectably positionable along the longitudinal axis of the spindle (20).

Abstract: A flame effect device (18) for a flame simulator apparatus of an electric fire (10) is provided. The flame effect device (18) comprises a spindle (20) having a longitudinal axis which is in-use rotatable in a flame simulator apparatus; and a plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e), each reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) comprising: a reflector support body (32) having at least one reflector mounting portion (28) thereon and a mounting aperture (34) to engage the reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) with the spindle (20); and at least one reflector (26) to reflect light from an associated light source (24), wherein the at least one reflector (26) is mounted to the at least one reflector mounting portion (28), the plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) being engageable with the spindle (20), each reflector support (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) of the plurality of reflector supports (22a,22b,22c,22d,22e) being selectably positionable along the longitudinal axis of the spindle (20).

Abstract: An electric fire apparatus (10)is provided, having an improved simulated fire effect. The electric fire apparatus (10)comprising a bed base (14a)which is at least in part light-transmissible. The electric fire apparatus (10)also has a holographic mesh element (18)as herein before defined which divides the bed base (14a)into a front bed base portion (42a)and a rear bed base portion (42b). At least one light source (50)is provided for directing light through the front and/or rear bed base portions(42a,42b).

Abstract: An electronic platform (10) for facilitating mobile commerce transactions includes: a user interface (20) that is provided to a user (60), the user interface (20) being operable to retrieve from the user (60) a plurality of settings for different parameters that regulate a manner in which the platform (10) operates for a given entity that is being served by the platform (10); a conversation tracking engine (40) that monitors messages exchanged between the platform (10) and mobile device users (72) accessing the platform (10), the conversation tracking engine (40) being operative to recognize which ones of selected monitored messages together form a common conversation and keep track of a current state of that conversation; and, a mobile content rendering engine (30) that is operable to dynamically render mobile content in response to the platform (10) receiving a request from a mobile device (74) for mobile content, the mobile content being rendered in accordance with the parameter settings entered via the us

Abstract: A method is provided for verifying a cardholder name associated with a payment device used in connection with a card-not-present transaction.

Abstract: An electric fire apparatus (110) having an improved simulated flame effect comprising: an outer casing (112) having an at least in part light-transmissible ember bed base (116) therein; a projection screen (124) positioned in front of the ember bed base (116); a rotating spindle (136) positioned below the ember bed base (116); a light source (138) arranged to direct light towards the rotating spindle (136); and a mirror assembly which defines a reflection chamber adjacent to the rotating spindle (136), the mirror assembly having at least a forward-facing reflective surface (134) for directing light scattered from the rotating spindle (136) through the ember bed base (116) onto the projection screen (124). An electric heating system is also provided.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name service (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: An electric fire apparatus (110) having an improved simulated flame effect comprising: an outer casing (112) having an at least in part light-transmissible ember bed base (116) therein; a projection screen (124) positioned in front of the ember bed base (116); a rotating spindle (136) positioned below the ember bed base (116); a light source (138) arranged to direct light towards the rotating spindle (136); and a mirror assembly which defines a reflection chamber adjacent to the rotating spindle (136), the mirror assembly having at least a forward-facing reflective surface (134) for directing light scattered from the rotating spindle (136) through the ember bed base (116) onto the projection screen (124). An electric heating system is also provided.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name service (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: An electronic platform (10) for facilitating mobile commerce transactions includes: a user interface (20) that is provided to a user (60), the user interface (20) being operable to retrieve from the user (60) a plurality of settings for different parameters that regulate a manner in which the platform (10) operates for a given entity that is being served by the platform (10); a conversation tracking engine (40) that monitors messages exchanged between the platform (10) and mobile device users (72) accessing the platform (10), the conversation tracking engine (40) being operative to recognize which ones of selected monitored messages together form a common conversation and keep track of a current state of that conversation; and, a mobile content rendering engine (30) that is operable to dynamically render mobile content in response to the platform (10) receiving a request from a mobile device (74) for mobile content, the mobile content being rendered in accordance with the parameter settings entered via the us

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name system (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: An electronic platform (10) for facilitating mobile commerce transactions includes: a user interface (20) that is provided to a user (60), the user interface (20) being operable to retrieve from the user (60) a plurality of settings for different parameters that regulate a manner in which the platform (10) operates for a given entity that is being served by the platform (10); a conversation tracking engine (40) that monitors messages exchanged between the platform (10) and mobile device users (72) accessing the platform (10), the conversation tracking engine (40) being operative to recognize which ones of selected monitored messages together form a common conversation and keep track of a current state of that conversation; and, a mobile content rendering engine (30) that is operable to dynamically render mobile content in response to the platform (10) receiving a request from a mobile device (74) for mobile content, the mobile content being rendered in accordance with the parameter settings entered via the us

Abstract: A method for determining a subset of users to be shown pre-availability information associated with a new media item is provided. The method includes associating descriptors of a first media item, having a near-zero play-count, in a catalog of an Internet-based media system, identifying a second item having a non-zero play-count, the second item associated with a descriptor of the first item. The method includes collecting pre-availability data describing user interactions with pre-availability elements associated with the first item, the elements being accessible during an intermediate period of time prior to the first item becoming accessible, determining, based on the second item and the collected pre-availability data, a likelihood that a first user will consume the first item, and transmitting a message promoting the first item to a user device of the first user based on that likelihood. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name system (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: A biodegradable flexible substrate providing a pressure sensitive self adhering transfer marking. The substrate includes a biodegradable paper liner supporting a biodegradable transfer matrix in the form of an ink matrix bearing a transfer marking, a layer of biodegradable clear adhesive over the ink matrix, and a biodegradable protective paper layer over the adhesive layer. The biodegradable ink matrix includes a layer of biodegradable water based clear ink, a layer of biodegradable colored water based inks depicting graphics, and a layer of biodegradable clear protective ink. In another aspect, a process for producing the substrate, is initiated by laying down a heavy clear water based ink or paint on a release liner, then the colors necessary for the graphic design are screen printed on the clear base and a top clear is added.

Abstract: An electronic platform (10) for facilitating mobile commerce transactions includes: a user interface (20) that is provided to a user (60), the user interface (20) being operable to retrieve from the user (60) a plurality of settings for different parameters that regulate a manner in which the platform (10) operates for a given entity that is being served by the platform (10); a conversation tracking engine (40) that monitors messages exchanged between the platform (10) and mobile device users (72) accessing the platform (10), the conversation tracking engine (40) being operative to recognize which ones of selected monitored messages together form a common conversation and keep track of a current state of that conversation; and, a mobile content rendering engine (30) that is operable to dynamically render mobile content in response to the platform (10) receiving a request from a mobile device (74) for mobile content, the mobile content being rendered in accordance with the parameter settings entered via the us