Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.

Abstract: A payment service is configured to support purchase transactions generated by merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices. As transactions are conducted, the payment service evaluates, for each transaction, the risk of subsequent chargeback. The payment service then notifies the merchant that expedited payment is available for transactions having low risks of chargeback. The merchant can select a user interface element to initiate expedited payment of the transactions via a debit card linked to the merchant's bank account. Other transactions are settled in a non-expedited manner, using a batch funds transfer.

Abstract: An electrical system for providing power to an accessory in a vehicle is provided. The electrical system includes a power source, a relay coupled to the power source, an accessory socket coupled to the relay, and a switch coupled to the relay and disposed at least partially within the accessory socket. The accessory socket is configured such that the switch is in a closed state when an accessory is coupled to the accessory socket and the switch is in an open state when the accessory is not coupled to the accessory socket. When the switch is in the closed state, the relay consumes power from the power source and when the switch is in the open state, the relay does not consume power from the power source.

Abstract: As the file system of an operating system program might be damaged by a crash, the file system is usually used neither for the selection of data to be dumped from a memory nor for the analysis of the dumped data, and all data contained in one or several areas of the memory are dumped. In order to preserve the integrity of the file system and enable its use after the crash, the memory is divided into a primary and a secondary memory section during a memory setup, file system data are transferred from the primary memory section to the secondary memory section widely out of the control of the operating system program, and a read access of a dump program is directed to the secondary memory section in order to select file system data to be dumped after the crash using error data.

Abstract: As the file system of an operating system program might be damaged by a crash, the file system is usually used neither for the selection of data to be dumped from a memory nor for the analysis of the dumped data, and all data contained in one or several areas of the memory are dumped. In order to preserve the integrity of the file system and enable its use after the crash, the memory is divided into a primary and a secondary memory section during a memory setup, file system data are transferred from the primary memory section to the secondary memory section widely out of the control of the operating system program, and a read access of a dump program is directed to the secondary memory section in order to select file system data to be dumped after the crash using error data.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a point-of-care hygiene dispenser and an electronic hand hygiene event monitoring system are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispenser and a corresponding electronic monitoring system, wherein the point-of-care dispenser is movable between predetermined zones of interest. Another embodiment is directed to a secure point-of-care dispenser having corresponding dispenser cover and main body interlocks. A still further embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispensing system comprising a point-of-care dispenser having a dispenser cover and a main body, a locking mechanism configured to secure the dispenser covers with the main body in a closed condition, and a docking unit configured for mounting with the point-of-care dispenser.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: A license management system is provided for computer program applications, which includes an exchange network connecting a plurality of peer-to-peer network servers, wherein at least one network server of the plurality of peer-to-peer network servers acts as a provider server and at least one network server acts as a user server, and each peer-to-peer network server is configured to perform a method, which includes: controlling program installations according to respective license regulations; storing executable program codes to be distributed to requesting servers; generating, storing, and dispatching a metafile including at least license information on licensing conditions for a corresponding executable program code; sending a request for transmission of the metafile for a corresponding executable program code; downloading and storing a metafile; and downloading, installing, and executing the executable program code under the controlling of program installations according to the respective license regulatio

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device may control access to features based on an orientation of a display. For instance, the merchant device may present a first user interface (UI) for enabling a merchant to enter transaction information. Subsequently, the merchant device may present a second UI to enable the buyer to interact toward completion of the transaction, and the merchant may change the orientation of the display to face the buyer. While the display is oriented in the buyer direction, access to the merchant UI is prevented, thereby preventing initiation of a new transaction, cancellation of transaction, etc. When the display is returned to the first orientation, i.e., facing the merchant, the merchant device may enable certain UI features such as for initiating a new transaction, canceling a transaction, or perform other functions that a buyer may have been restricted from performing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a point-of-care hygiene dispenser and an electronic hand hygiene event monitoring system are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispenser and a corresponding electronic monitoring system, wherein the point-of-care dispenser is movable between predetermined zones of interest. Another embodiment is directed to a secure point-of-care dispenser having corresponding dispenser cover and main body interlocks. A still further embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispensing system comprising a point-of-care dispenser having a dispenser cover and a main body, a locking mechanism configured to secure the dispenser covers with the main body in a closed condition, and a docking unit configured for mounting with the point-of-care dispenser.

Abstract: As the file system of an operating system program might be damaged by a crash, the file system is usually used neither for the selection of data to be dumped from a memory nor for the analysis of the dumped data, and all data contained in one or several areas of the memory are dumped. In order to preserve the integrity of the file system and enable its use after the crash, the memory is divided into a primary and a secondary memory section during a memory setup, file system data are transferred from the primary memory section to the secondary memory section widely out of the control of the operating system program, and a read access of a dump program is directed to the secondary memory section in order to select file system data to be dumped after the crash using error data.

Abstract: An electrical system for providing power to an accessory in a vehicle is provided. The electrical system includes a power source, a relay coupled to the power source, an accessory socket coupled to the relay, and a switch coupled to the relay and disposed at least partially within the accessory socket. The accessory socket is configured such that the switch is in a closed state when an accessory is coupled to the accessory socket and the switch is in an open state when the accessory is not coupled to the accessory socket. When the switch is in the closed state, the relay consumes power from the power source and when the switch is in the open state, the relay does not consume power from the power source.

Abstract: A license management system is provided for computer program applications, which includes an exchange network connecting a plurality of peer-to-peer network servers, wherein at least one network server of the plurality of peer-to-peer network servers acts as a provider server and at least one network server acts as a user server, and each peer-to-peer network server is configured to perform a method, which includes: controlling program installations according to respective license regulations; storing executable program codes to be distributed to requesting servers; generating, storing, and dispatching a metafile including at least license information on licensing conditions for a corresponding executable program code; sending a request for transmission of the metafile for a corresponding executable program code; downloading and storing a metafile; and downloading, installing, and executing the executable program code under the controlling of program installations according to the respective license regulatio

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a system and method for briquetting solid fuel before or after treatment with electromagnetic energy. In the system and method, solid fuel is transported through a continuous feed solid fuel treatment facility, treated using electromagnetic energy, and briquetted after treatment.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method of heat treating a solid fuel briquette may include heating the solid fuel briquette using energy from at least one of a heat furnace or an electromagnetic energy system of a solid fuel treatment facility as the solid fuel briquette is moved through the treatment facility to a specified internal temperature, and sealing the heat-treated solid fuel briquette in a vessel for a duration of time.

Abstract: A method for managing the use of a gift card with a personal financial management application (PFMA), including storing a balance of the gift card in the PFMA, obtaining, using a central processor (CPU) of a computer and within the PFMA, a transaction of a user, identifying, using the CPU, the gift card as a payment source of the transaction, and adjusting, using the CPU and in response to identifying the gift card as the payment source, the balance in the PFMA based on the transaction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional battery can include a three-dimensional porous carbon foam base and an anode current collector bonded to and in electrical communication with a first region of the base. The three-dimensional battery can also include an electrolyte layer disposed over the three-dimensional porous carbon foam base and a cathode current collector bonded to and in electrical communication with a second region of the three-dimensional porous carbon foam base.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method of heat treating a solid fuel briquette may include heating the solid fuel briquette using energy from at least one of a heat furnace or an electromagnetic energy system of a solid fuel treatment facility as the solid fuel briquette is moved through the treatment facility to a specified internal temperature, and sealing the heat-treated solid fuel briquette in a vessel for a duration of time.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a system and method for briquetting solid fuel before or after treatment with electromagnetic energy. In the system and method, solid fuel is transported through a continuous feed solid fuel treatment facility, treated using electromagnetic energy, and briquetted after treatment.