Abstract: A computing device may be configured to transition control over one or more functions of a rental unit to a user (e.g., a traveler) based on one or more of time, geo-location and access credentials. Access may be granted to the traveler to use one or more home automation functions including a HVAC system, a thermostat, lighting, security alarm, automated door locks, etc. An owner of the rental unit may have access to some or all of the home automation functions blocked during the traveler's stay at the rental unit, and at an end of the stay owner access to those functions may be enabled. Some functions may be activated prior to the traveler's arrival at the unit based on a time to arrival and/or distance from the unit. An application on a traveler's computing device may be configured to summon a repair service for the unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method provide to predict activities (e.g., preferential activities) available at a geographic region association with lodging and to adaptively generate advisory data. In one or more embodiments, a method can include receiving data representing a request to implement data representing an identifier for a destination and activity characteristics at the destination, fetching traveler attributes associated with users, and matching the activity characteristics against the traveler attributes to identify a subset of users.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method provide to predict activities (e.g., preferential activities) available at a geographic region association with lodging and to adaptively generate advisory data. In one or more embodiments, a method can include accessing traveler profile data associated with a user, identifying data representing a portion of traveler attributes associated with a geographic region including lodging for the user, and receiving data indicative of locality-related characteristics. The method also includes predicting a first activity as a function of a locality-related characteristic and a travel attribute, and generating customized advisory data configured to engage in an activity.

Abstract: A platform may include resources configured to receive information representing a phone call from a caller (e.g., a traveler) to a callee (e.g., a proprietor) and instead of immediately connecting the phone call may communicate a message to the caller telling the caller the call is being connected. Prior to connecting the phone call with the callee, the platform may connect with a proprietor device (e.g., a landline telephone or a smartphone) and communicate a message to the callee that an incoming phone call is from a potential customer and is being provided courtesy of a merchant electronic exchange. The message may further encourage the callee to join the merchant electronic exchange as a member and/or inform the callee of the number of leads it has provided to the callee. After communicating the message to the proprietor, the platform may connect the call between the caller and the callee.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method are provided to determine interactions at a mobile computing device predict activities based on one or more types of interactions. Examples of activities include preferential activities available at a geographic region association with lodging In one or more embodiments, a method can include receiving data representing an interaction with a user interface, generating data summarizing the interaction to include an interaction type, and determining data representing a prioritized value indicative of a degree of the interaction.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method are provided to predict a type of companion with whom a traveler collaborates to, among other things, predict activities (e.g., preferential activities) available at a geographic region association with lodging. In one or more embodiments, a method can include determining a location at which a user computing device associated with a user is disposed, and calculating that a computing device associated with a candidate companion is within a region coterminous with the location. Also, the method may include predicting data representing a companionship type for data representing the candidate companion based at least the location at which the user and the candidate companion are co-located.

Abstract: Review data associated with a guest experience at an event, such as a vacation rental, for example, is transmitted over a communications network to one or more networked computing devices for processing the review data into a review data file for publication. The review data may be generated by an application executing on a processor of a client device such as a smartphone, tablet or pad. The review data may include access credentials and location data that may be processed to validate that the review data is legitimate. The review data may include media content captured in-situ at the event while the guest is experiencing the event. Prior to publishing a review data file, an owner may receive a notice and/or a copy of the pending review data file and the owner may take action to cure a less than stellar review and/or amend the review prior to publication.

Abstract: Credential and/or location data included in data received by a networked system from a device that communicated the data to the networked system may be processed to determine if the credential data and/or location data validate an identity of a user (e.g., a guest, traveler, patron) and/or a location of the user based on a location of the device when the data is communicated. The data may be review data and the credential and/or location data may be included in review data. The device and/or the networked system may generate a location history database from location data from the device or other system that is periodically logged from multiple locations at different times during an event (e.g., a stay at a vacation rental). Data from the database may be used to determine if a location for a communication is with a threshold of an allowable distance from an allowable location.

Abstract: A body spray configured to be supported within a shower wall. The body spray includes an outer housing and an inner waterway supporting a sprayhead for axial movement relative to the outer housing. Water pressure against the inner waterway causes the sprayhead to move axially outwardly from a refracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module.

Abstract: A method of forming a film resistant to blocking including the steps of providing a polymeric film having a first and second surface; applying the anti-blocking agent in a fluid or molten state to at least the first surface of the polymeric film; and gathering the treated film. The anti-blocking agent may be substantially acrylic free.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for social behavior of a telepresence robot are disclosed herein. A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an object detection system, and a social behaviors component. The drive system is configured to move the telepresence robot. The control system is configured to control the drive system to drive the telepresence robot around a work area. The object detection system is configured to detect a human in proximity to the telepresence robot. The social behaviors component is configured to provide instructions to the control system to cause the telepresence robot to operate according to a first set of rules when a presence of one or more humans is not detected and operate according to a second set of rules when the presence of one or more humans is detected.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera.

Abstract: A method of forming a film resistant to blocking including the steps of providing a polymeric film having a first and second surface; applying the anti-blocking agent in a fluid or molten state to at least the first surface of the polymeric film; and gathering the treated film. The anti-blocking agent may be substantially acrylic free.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methodology for growing plants, such as small fruit plants. For example, and in one embodiment, agricultural by-products, such as nut shells, could be used as or in a plant growth medium for growing a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and/or black-raspberry.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methodology for growing plants, such as small fruit plants. For example, and in one embodiment, agricultural by-products, such as nut shells, could be used as or in a plant growth medium for growing a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and/or black-raspberry.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot with a head that supports a monitor and is coupled to a mobile platform. The mobile robot also includes an auxiliary camera coupled to the mobile platform by a boom. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote control station. By way of example, the robot can be remotely moved about an operating room. The auxiliary camera extends from the boom so that it provides a relatively close view of a patient or other item in the room. An assistant in the operating room may move the boom and the camera. The boom may be connected to a robot head that can be remotely moved by the remote control station.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for social behavior of a telepresence robot are disclosed herein. A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an object detection system, and a social behaviors component. The drive system is configured to move the telepresence robot. The control system is configured to control the drive system to drive the telepresence robot around a work area. The object detection system is configured to detect a human in proximity to the telepresence robot. The social behaviors component is configured to provide instructions to the control system to cause the telepresence robot to operate according to a first set of rules when a presence of one or more humans is not detected and operate according to a second set of rules when the presence of one or more humans is detected.

Abstract: A remote control station that accesses one of at least two different robots that each have at least one unique robot feature. The remote control station receives information that identifies the robot feature of the accessed robot. The remote station displays a display user interface that includes at least one field that corresponds to the robot feature of the accessed robot. The robot may have a laser pointer and/or a projector.