Abstract: A system for managing performance of a service establishment, the service establishment having multiple servers and multiple customers. Each server has a server queue with zero or more customers. Servers take orders from customers when they reach the head of the server's queue. The system includes: an order input interface for obtaining orders from the servers as the servers take orders from the customers; one or more digital video cameras positioned and configured to capture video of the server queues; a public view monitor viewable by the customers; a management monitor viewable by one or more managers of the service establishment; and a customer tracking processor. The customer tracking processor is configured to: receive video of server queues; identify customers in the video data; track customer progress in the server queues; and calculate and display expected wait times of the server queues on the public view monitor.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic backplate for mounting a camera to a surface having at least some metal thereon. The backplate includes an embedded magnet for attaching the backplate to a metal surface on one side, and a camera is attached to the opposing side of the backplate. The magnetic means of attachment allows for easy installation, relocation and removal of cameras from ceilings having T-bar frames. The magnetic backplate further includes a plurality of holes for attaching the backplate to electrical junction boxes, whereby the backplate forms a mount for a camera and a cover for the junction box.

Abstract: A system for tracking the location of people as the people move between zones, the system including tracking devices and a central tracking system. The tracking devices each monitor a zone and include a video camera, infrared sensors for detecting people in the zone, an antenna for detecting wireless signals from devices carried by people in the zone that provide unique device identifiers, a light and a processor that communicates with the central tracking system. The processor turns the light on when the infrared sensor detects a person in the zone and analyzes video data from the camera to determine the location of the person, which is sent to the central processor which creates a personal identifier for the person based on the unique identifier of a device carried by the person and tracks the person as the person moves between zones.

Abstract: A system for managing performance of a service establishment, the service establishment having multiple servers and multiple customers. Each server has a server queue with zero or more customers. Servers take orders from customers when they reach the head of the server's queue. The system includes: an order input interface for obtaining orders from the servers as the servers take orders from the customers; one or more digital video cameras positioned and configured to capture video of the server queues; a public view monitor viewable by the customers; a management monitor viewable by one or more managers of the service establishment; and a customer tracking processor. The customer tracking processor is configured to: receive video of server queues; identify customers in the video data; track customer progress in the server queues; and calculate and display expected wait times of the server queues on the public view monitor.

Abstract: A system for tracking the location of people as the people move between zones, the system including tracking devices and a central tracking system. The tracking devices each monitor a zone and include a video camera, infrared sensors for detecting people in the zone, an antenna for detecting wireless signals from devices carried by people in the zone that provide unique device identifiers, a light and a processor that communicates with the central tracking system. The processor turns the light on when the infrared sensor detects a person in the zone and analyzes video data from the camera to determine the location of the person, which is sent to the central processor which creates a personal identifier for the person based on the unique identifier of a device carried by the person and tracks the person as the person moves between zones.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting and processing text information from a receipt signal generated for output by a printer using a template, comprising the steps of: receiving the template; parsing the receipt signal using the template into at least one receipt information item; and storing the at least one receipt information item into a database.

Abstract: A camera device with unitary interface cabling has a built-in balun for converting unbalanced video signal to balanced video signal for transmission from an on-board twisted pair video output connector, a power connector, a PZT control signal connector, and all said connectors adapted for linking with a category 5 of better network cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to overlaying video images with text, especially with images recorded on a Digital Video Recorder. A system is provided for managing video images recorded of a transaction by a digital video capture element using a transaction peripheral comprising: a video input buffer for receiving an image of the transaction from the transaction peripheral; a processor element for superimposing on the image text information received from the transaction peripheral relating to the transaction; a storage element for storing the superimposed image; and a database for linking the image and at least one detail of the transaction.