Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to implement contextual key management for data encryption are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed are to determine whether a key mapping is associated with a combination of two or more context rules defined for a set of context values associated with input data to be encrypted. Disclosed example apparatus are also to, in response to a determination that no key mapping is associated with the combination of two or more context rules, map a key identifier to the combination of two or more context rules and generate a key corresponding to the key identifier. Disclosed example apparatus are further to encrypt the input data based on the key to obtain encrypted data.

Abstract: GPS-based position reporting suffers from probabilistic error. The system and methods discussed herein reduce uncertainty by mapping a geometric figure that encompasses a GPS-based reported location and that bounds corresponding predetermined-as-more-probable true locations (MPTL's) among possible locations for the source of the reported location. The mapped figure is overlaid on a relatively accurate mapping of substantially adjacent polygonal areas. Areas of overlap are used for picking among the areas, the polygonal area most likely to be occupied by the source. In one embodiment, the polygonal areas are closely packed parking spots in a parking lot, garage or other like structure, the source is a customer's mobile phone and an attendant is tasked with quickly delivering ordered goods to the customer's parking spot.

Abstract: Techniques for managing orders among chain stores based on a location of a pickup customer are discussed herein. In some cases, a pickup order can be relocated or a user/pickup entity can be redirected to a particular store. A pickup order to be picked up from a first store can be received from a customer. A location of a user device associated with the user or the pickup entity can be determined to be proximate to a second store. In response, a first message can be sent to the user device instructing the customer or the pickup entity to travel to the first store instead of the second store. A second message can be sent to the user device indicating that the pickup order has been relocated to the second store, and the pickup order can be sent to another computing device associated with the second store.

Abstract: Prior arrangement information is automatically fetched in response to detection that a radio presence advertising mobile device of a user is disposed in a region of interest that is operatively adjacent to a transaction-processing location. The fetched information is used to automatically modify the transaction.

Abstract: GPS-based position reporting suffers from probabilistic error. The system and methods discussed herein reduce uncertainty by mapping a geometric figure that encompasses a GPS-based reported location and that bounds corresponding predetermined-as-more-probable true locations (MPTL's) among possible locations for the source of the reported location. The mapped figure is overlaid on a relatively accurate mapping of substantially adjacent polygonal areas. Areas of overlap are used for picking among the areas, the polygonal area most likely to be occupied by the source. In one embodiment, the polygonal areas are closely packed parking spots in a parking lot, garage or other like structure, the source is a customer's mobile phone and an attendant is tasked with quickly delivering ordered goods to the customer's parking spot.

Abstract: A radio presence-advertising signal (PAS) a PAS emitter is simultaneously received at two or more co-located directional antennas that are coupled to respective radio receivers. The antennas have reception sensitivity lobes that overlap to define a region of interest at the overlap. Substantially cotemporaneous signal strength indications are obtained from the radio receivers. A difference signal representative of a difference between two of the obtained signal strength indications of the respective antennas is generated. An average signal representative of a running average of two or more of the obtained signal strength indications is generated and used to produce a normalized confidence indicator indicating a level of confidence that the PAS emitter is disposed inside (e.g., centered in) the region of interest or alternatively indicating a level of confidence that the PAS emitter is disposed outside the region of interest. Action is taken or avoided based on the confidence signal.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for automatically building an expandable invoice for incurred charges based on recognition of charge-incurring activities by persons whose specific identities are not known via the activity recognition process. A separate process detects location of sourcing and time for a Patron-presence and Patron-identifying Advertising radio Signal (P/PAS) repeatedly broadcast by a P/PAS emitter possessed by each participating patron. Records from the two processes are matched and combined based on substantial proximity in time and space for the activity recognition and the presence detection. Payment on a pay-go-whenever-ready (PGWeR) basis is enabled with use of the built invoice. A patron can pay and leave whenever ready to do so without need for intervention by an on premise staff member.

Abstract: Techniques for managing support computing services in computing systems are disclosed. One example technique includes analyzing data representing a service ticket having data representing multiple messages exchanged between the user and a support entity of a support tier in the computing system. Based on the analysis, an interaction pattern in the multiple messages can be identified. The interaction pattern includes a sequence of words or phrases arranged in a chronological order. The method can further include determining whether the identified interaction pattern matches one or more interaction patterns corresponding to previously escalated service tickets and triggering a notification of the immediate escalation of the service ticket to another support entity in another support tier in response to determining that the interaction pattern matches one of the one or more interaction patterns corresponding to previously escalated service tickets.

Abstract: GPS-based position reporting suffers from probabilistic error. This disclosure reduces uncertainty by mapping a geometric figure that encompasses a GPS-based reported location and that bounds corresponding predetermined-as-more-probable true locations (MPTL's) among possible locations for the source of the reported location. The mapped figure is overlaid on a relatively accurate mapping of substantially adjacent polygonal areas. Areas of overlap are used for picking among the areas, the polygonal area most likely to be occupied by the source. In one embodiment, the polygonal areas are closely packed parking spots in a parking lot, garage or other like structure, the source is a customer's mobile phone and an attendant is tasked with quickly delivering ordered goods to the customer's parking spot.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for automatically building an expandable invoice for incurred charges based on recognition of charge-incurring activities by persons whose specific identities are not known via the activity recognition process. A separate process detects location of sourcing and time for a Patron-presence and Patron-identifying Advertising radio Signal (P/PAS) repeatedly broadcast by a P/PAS emitter possessed by each participating patron. Records from the two processes are matched and combined based on substantial proximity in time and space for the activity recognition and the presence detection. Payment on a pay-go-whenever-ready (PGWeR) basis is enabled with use of the built invoice. A patron can pay and leave whenever ready to do so without need for intervention by an on premise staff member.

Abstract: Prior arrangement information is automatically fetched in response to detection that a radio presence advertising mobile device of a user is disposed in a region of interest that is operatively adjacent to a transaction-processing location. The fetched information is used to automatically modify the transaction.

Abstract: A radio presence-advertising signal (PAS) a PAS emitter is simultaneously received at two or more co-located directional antennas that are coupled to respective radio receivers. The antennas have reception sensitivity lobes that overlap to define a region of interest at the overlap. Substantially cotemporaneous signal strength indications are obtained from the radio receivers. A difference signal representative of a difference between two of the obtained signal strength indications of the respective antennas is generated. An average signal representative of a running average of two or more of the obtained signal strength indications is generated and used to produce a normalized confidence indicator indicating a level of confidence that the PAS emitter is disposed inside (e.g., centered in) the region of interest or alternatively indicating a level of confidence that the PAS emitter is disposed outside the region of interest. Action is taken or avoided based on the confidence signal.

Abstract: Techniques for managing support computing services in computing systems are disclosed. One example technique includes analyzing data representing a service ticket having data representing multiple messages exchanged between the user and a support entity of a support tier in the computing system. Based on the analysis, an interaction pattern in the multiple messages can be identified. The interaction pattern includes a sequence of words or phrases arranged in a chronological order. The method can further include determining whether the identified interaction pattern matches one or more interaction patterns corresponding to previously escalated service tickets and triggering a notification of the immediate escalation of the service ticket to another support entity in another support tier in response to determining that the interaction pattern matches one of the one or more interaction patterns corresponding to previously escalated service tickets.

Abstract: The system and method of the present disclosure relates to a remotely configurable wireless broadcast device connected to a network. The device includes a network connected computer and a proxy that interfaces with one or more non-network connected broadcast devices. The wireless broadcast device monitors the non-network connected broadcast devices and periodically reports the status for each of the devices. A server, remotely located from the configurable wireless broadcast device, receives and processes the status reports. The status reports may also be monitored by a user via a common user interface connected to the server. After processing the status reports, the server sends configuration data, including updated or modified information, back to the wireless broadcast device instructing the device to configure the non-network connected devices.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for determining a location of a user in a physical venue, the method comprising receiving, at a central processor, a signal from a wireless transmitter in the user's possession, the signal containing an encoded message and additional metadata, determining a location of the wireless transmitter in the physical venue based on the encoded message and the additional metadata, and outputting the location.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods are provided for conferring disease resistance to plant pathogens that use proteases to target plant substrate proteins inside plant cells. Briefly, the compositions, systems and methods are based upon plant substrate proteins that are targeted by pathogen-specific proteases and that activate nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NB-LRR) disease resistance proteins when cleaved by the protease. These substrate proteins are modified such that the endogenous protease recognition sequence is replaced by a protease recognition sequence specific to a different pathogen protease (i.e., a heterologous protease recognition sequence). The modified plant substrate protein therefore can be used in connection with its corresponding NB-LRR protein to activate resistance in response to cleavage by the heterologous pathogen-specific protease. When activated by the plant pathogen-specific protease, the pair initiates host defense responses thereto, including programmed cell death.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for determining a location of a user in a physical venue, the method comprising receiving, at a central processor, a signal from a wireless transmitter in the user's possession, the signal containing an encoded message and additional metadata, determining a location of the wireless transmitter in the physical venue based on the encoded message and the additional metadata, and outputting the location.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for determining a location of a user in a physical venue without need for the user to carry extraneous devices. The method includes installing a background peripheral service (BPS) in a personal mobile device routinely carried by the user where the BPS outputs a temporary ID sequence (TID) when activated. The signal strength of the TID is measured at scanner locations each time the BPS is activated and the measured strengths are used to determine the location of the user. The TID is used to identify an order placed by the user for goods and/or services. This allows a human server to locate the user and deliver the goods and/or services to that user.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods are provided for conferring disease resistance to plant pathogens that use proteases to target plant substrate proteins inside plant cells. Briefly, the compositions, systems and methods are based upon plant substrate proteins that are targeted by pathogen-specific proteases and that activate nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NB-LRR) disease resistance proteins when cleaved by the protease. These substrate proteins are modified such that the endogenous protease recognition sequence is replaced by a protease recognition sequence specific to a different pathogen protease (i.e., a heterologous protease recognition sequence). The modified plant substrate protein therefore can be used in connection with its corresponding NB-LRR protein to activate resistance in response to cleavage by the heterologous pathogen-specific protease. When activated by the plant pathogen-specific protease, the pair initiates host defense responses thereto, including programmed cell death.