Abstract: Threads are formed in situ throughout a bore of a sleeve inserted into a corresponding hole a substrate. A sleeve having a bore is inserted into a corresponding hole of a substrate. A mandrel is rotated through the sleeve. The mandrel has a threaded ended; the threaded end rotating throughout the bore of the sleeve forms threads throughout the bore. Prior to inserting the sleeve into the corresponding hole of the substrate, the sleeve can be placed onto the mandrel. In this case, the mandrel has an increasing diameter at the threaded end thereof, such that the sleeve rests on the mandrel towards the threaded end thereof where the bore has a smaller diameter than the mandrel. The mandrel is then rotated out of the sleeve in a direction opposite the direction in which the sleeve has been inserted into the corresponding hole of the substrate.

Abstract: A printer has a heat source disposed adjacent a temperature sensor to transfer heat upon activation across a portion of an introduced print media to the temperature sensor and a controller to receive a signal from the temperature sensor and to obtain a temperature signature generally identifying attributes of the introduced print media and to adjust print head settings in response to the identified attributes. The printer may further comprise a sensor to detect access to a print media storage compartment and to initiate examination of the heat transfer properties of the introduced print media upon detecting that the print storage compartment has been accessed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic.

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: Systems and methods for providing retail process analytics information based on physiological indicator data are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include using a processor and memory for receiving physiological indicator data associated with a person. The processor and memory may also be used for determining a retail environment condition at a time associated with the physiological indicator data. Further, the processor and memory may be used for generating retail process analytics information for user presentation based on the physiological indicator data and the retail environment condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring activity within retail environments using network audit tokens are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include using a processor and memory of a first computing device for determining information associated with an activity of the first computing device within a network environment. The method also includes receiving a network audit token from a second computing device within the retail environment. Further, the method includes communicating the information associated with the activity to a third computing device in response to receipt of the network audit token.

Abstract: A display screen assembly is provided. The display screen defines a channel for allowing selective engagement of the display screen. A mount assembly is provided and includes a base for supporting the display screen assembly about a support surface, and a locking assembly that selectively engages the channel to thereby lock the mount assembly to the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic.

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: A computer program product comprises computer usable program code for receiving data describing a proposed electronic transaction between first and second communications devices. Additional computer usable program code is provided for generating a first audio signal by sound detected by a first microphone of the first communications device, and for generating a second audio signal by sound detected by a second microphone that is part of the second communications device. Still further computer usable program code provides for authenticating that the first communications device and the second communications device are in the same proximity in response to determining that the first and second audio signals were produced by the same sound event, and for completing the proposed electronic transaction between the first and second communications device in response to authenticating that the first and second communications devices are in close proximity.

Abstract: A method of forming an assembly for tool-less backplane retention and insertion thereof into a housing including a housing mating device through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned is provided. The method includes coupling a hub and a backplane body having opposing faces on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed. The coupling includes inserting a backplane mating device protruding from one of the opposing faces of the backplane body through a hub mating device defined in the hub. The method further includes forcing a first stage of a two-stage mating device, which includes first and second elastically coupled stages and which extends from the hub, to elastically hook onto the backplane body during a near-completion of the insertion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognition of encoded information on documents are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a document reader configured to read encoded information from a document, and to output an electrical signal representative of the encoded information. The system also includes signal conditioning modules that are each configured to receive the electrical signal, and to condition the received electrical signal differently for outputting a plurality of conditioned electrical signals. Further, the system includes an information recognition module configured to analyze each of the conditioned electrical signals and to select one of the conditioned electrical signals for use in recognizing the encoded information.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for tracking and facilitating pre-shopping/post-purchase activity. An indication is received that a user has completed a task in a set of tasks of a quest, where the quest is a pre-purchase/post-purchase shopping activity quest. Verification is made as to whether the task has been completed. Responsive to verifying the task has been completed, a determination is made as to whether all of the set of tasks of the quest have been completed. Responsive to all of the set of tasks being completed, a presentation is initiated of an agreed-upon reward to the user. All information from quest is then submitted to a sponsor of the quest.

Abstract: A tilt assembly for a display screen is provided. The tilt assembly includes a base assembly that includes a base casing configured to engage with a proximally positioned surface and a base plate configured to cooperatively form the tilt assembly with the base casing. The base plate is configured to translate aft and fore and impart a pivot to the display screen.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems disclosed herein provide for management of multiple electronic devices in a transaction session. An example method includes associating a user identifier of a first shopper with a transaction session. The method may also include receiving, from a second shopper, a request to join the transaction session. Further, the method may include processing the transaction session based on the request.

Abstract: Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems disclosed herein provide for negotiating product purchase with an electronic device. An example method includes acquiring product data from a product. The method also includes determining purchase offer information based on the product data. Further, the method includes negotiating purchase of the product based on the purchase offer information.

Abstract: A two-finger selection method is implemented on a touchscreen of an electronic device. One embodiment involves sensing the touch positions of two fingers on the touchscreen. In response to sensing the two simultaneous touch positions, a selection graphic is displayed and dynamically positioned on the touchscreen as a function of the two touch positions. A specific graphical object, such as a command button having an associated function, is selected in response to a separate selection input received while the selection graphic is positioned on the specific graphical object.

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.