Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methods provide enhanced function as a service (FaaS) to users, e.g., computer developers and cloud service providers (CSPs). A computing system configured to provide such enhanced FaaS service include one or more controls architectural subsystems, software and orchestration subsystems, network and storage subsystems, and security subsystems. The computing system executes functions in response to events triggered by the users in an execution environment provided by the architectural subsystems, which represent an abstraction of execution management and shield the users from the burden of managing the execution. The software and orchestration subsystems allocate computing resources for the function execution by intelligently spinning up and down containers for function code with decreased instantiation latency and increased execution scalability while maintaining secured execution.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically switching measurement information processing modes related to a self-checkout kiosk. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by an electronic device that includes processing circuitry. The method may include detecting, using object recognition, at least one object present in real-time captured imagery. The method may further include, responsive to detecting the at least one object present in the real-time captured imagery, switching measurement information processing modes from a first measurement information processing mode to a second measurement information processing mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods of selecting a video stream resolution are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method comprises, by a network node operationally coupled over a network to a set of optical sensor devices positioned throughout a space that are operable to send at least one of a set of image streams to the network node. The method comprises receiving a first image stream of a set of image streams of the first optical sensor device that is selected based on both a confidence level that at least one object is correctly detected from a second image stream received from the first optical sensor and a current network bandwidth utilization to maintain the current network bandwidth utilization below a network bandwidth utilization threshold, with the first and second image streams having a different resolution and the first optical sensor having a viewing angle towards the detected object.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing navigation information associated with a retail space are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method comprises, a network node operationally coupled to a set of optical sensor devices positioned throughout a retail space, the network node receiving a sequence of images from each optical sensor device. The method comprises, obtaining a current position of a certain subject in the retail space based on one or more sequence of images received. The method comprises, obtaining a current position of an obstacle in the retail space based on one or more sequence of images received. The method comprises, sending to a wireless device associated with the certain subject, navigation information associated with the current positions of the certain subject and the obstacle in the retail space.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a directional radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which provides directional RFID tag scanning using RFID enclosures and moveable radio signal blocking components. The RFID systems herein also prevent unwanted RFID tag activation and focuses RFID readers on specific scan areas. The directional RFID systems may be implemented in any type of system that utilizes RFID tag reading, such as a point of sale systems and other related systems, which utilize RFID scanning.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically switching measurement information processing modes related to a self-checkout kiosk. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by an electronic device that includes processing circuitry. The method may include detecting, using object recognition, at least one object present in real-time captured imagery. The method may further include, responsive to detecting the at least one object present in the real-time captured imagery, switching measurement information processing modes from a first measurement information processing mode to a second measurement information processing mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to leveraging disk controller cache memory to simulate non-volatile random access memory. At least one logical block address in cache memory of the disk controller is designated and set aside as permanently dirty. Read operations may be supported with data in the cache memory; including data retained in any block address designated as permanently dirty. Write operations may also be supported by storing the write data in the logical block address designated as permanently dirty.

Abstract: A rotary sweep arm system for use with a food product classifier line conveyor. The sweep arm system sweeps selected food products from the conveyor to a selected food product receiving station such as a conveyor, container, or a trimming station.

Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a portable computing device comprising a camera, for exchanging information between a user and a provider are provided. With these mechanisms, an image is captured using the camera of the portable computing device and an identifier of a physical object associated with the captured image is determined. The portable computing device transmits the identifier of the physical object, and user information describing a user of the portable computing device, to a separate computing device associated with a provider of the physical object. The portable computing device receives information associated with the physical object from the separate computing device associated with the provider of the physical object. A storage device of the portable computing device stores the physical object information in association with at least one of the captured image or the identifier of the physical object.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments describe a design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design for performing the functions of a PCI Express feature card remotely from a data processing system. The system is comprised of a circuit board connected to a PCI-E feature card. The PCI-E feature card is remotely located in comparison to the circuit board. Architecturally, the PCI-E feature card appears to the circuit board to be located at the circuit board.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system includes primary and auxiliary printers powered by a shared power supply. A POS terminal includes the shared power supply, a user interface, and a host including a printer driver for dynamically generating primary print commands. A printer connection card connected to the POS terminal includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub in communication with the host and having at least one USB connector powered by the shared power supply. The primary printer is connected to the USB hub for receiving power and the primary print commands through the USB hub from the POS terminal. An auxiliary printer has a power-only connection to the printer connection card, receiving independently generated auxiliary print commands from a separate host computer. A controller includes control logic for selectively blocking the primary print commands to the primary printer in response to the signal drawn by the auxiliary printer exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a portable computing device comprising a camera, for exchanging information between a user and a provider are provided. With these mechanisms, an image is captured using the camera of the portable computing device and an identifier of a physical object associated with the captured image is determined. The portable computing device transmits the identifier of the physical object, and user information describing a user of the portable computing device, to a separate computing device associated with a provider of the physical object. The portable computing device receives information associated with the physical object from the separate computing device associated with the provider of the physical object. A storage device of the portable computing device stores the physical object information in association with at least one of the captured image or the identifier of the physical object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to leveraging disk controller cache memory to simulate non-volatile random access memory. At least one logical block address in cache memory of the disk controller is designated and set aside as permanently dirty. Read operations may be supported with data in the cache memory; including data retained in any block address designated as permanently dirty. Write operations may also be supported by storing the write data in the logical block address designated as permanently dirty.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system includes primary and auxiliary printers powered by a shared power supply. A POS terminal includes the shared power supply, a user interface, and a host including a printer driver for dynamically generating primary print commands. A printer connection card connected to the POS terminal includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub in communication with the host and having at least one USB connector powered by the shared power supply. The primary printer is connected to the USB hub for receiving power and the primary print commands through the USB hub from the POS terminal. An auxiliary printer has a power-only connection to the printer connection card, receiving independently generated auxiliary print commands from a separate host computer. A controller includes control logic for selectively blocking the primary print commands to the primary printer in response to the signal drawn by the auxiliary printer exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Graphical retail item identification including receiving, from a digital camera, an image of a retail item to be identified; decoding, by an image decoding module, the image into one or more image processing tasks; assigning, by a task assignment engine, the one or more image processing tasks to one or more of the POS terminals, the one or more POS terminals characterized as image processing terminals; executing the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, including reporting results of the image processing tasks to an item identification engine; and identifying, by the item identification engine upon completion of the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, the retail item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing power to a group of connectors. The individual power limits of the connectors may be selectively increased while still complying with a group power limit. In one embodiment, a group of electronic connectors disposed on a host device each include a power portion and a data portion. A mechanical barrier is moveable into a blocked position for physically blocking at least the power portion of one or more of the electronic connectors while the other electronic connectors in the group remain unblocked. A power controller automatically increases an individual power limit of one or more of the unblocked electronic connectors in response to the mechanical barrier being in the blocked position.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a core processor, a power supply including a first output in power communication with the core processor, and a power switch in signal communication with the power supply for controlling a state of the first output. The computer system also includes a service processor in signal communication with the sub-system and power communication with a second output of the power supply and a back up power supply. In response to activation of the power switch and a fault of the second output, the service processor uses the back up power supply and a reduced power mode to detect the fault of the second output and generate a signal representative thereof to be displayed upon a light emitting diode display.