Abstract: A method for providing contingent payments includes receiving, from a first user through a user device over a network, a contingent payment request. The contingent payment request is stored in a database. A contingent payment intent is provided on a user profile that is associated with the first user. The user profile is monitored. When it is determined that at least one contingent payment factor in the contingent payment request has been satisfied by a second user, funds are transferred from a user account associated with the first user to a merchant account in order to purchase a first product that is associated with the contingent payment request. In an embodiment, the second user may provide a coupon on the user profile that satisfies the at least one contingent payment factor and results in the purchase of the first product using the user account.

Abstract: Retrieving information related to a plurality of viewable items in a dynamic digital event, the information including metadata, by displaying an indication on an end user device that one or more of the items are present within at least a portion of the dynamic digital event; identifying the location of the end user device; based on its location, identifying one or more merchants at or near the location of the end user device that offer at least one of the items, and displaying such information on the end user device. The system may determine whether a merchant may offer a special offer with respect the item. If no merchant offers the advertised item at or near the location, the system may select a merchant providing an item similar or substitutable for the advertised item. Object recognition may be employed, including using near real-time tagging.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enable a co-located group to be used as an authorization mechanism are discussed. For example, a method can include establishing a group account, receiving a request to access the group account, determining whether the requester is a group member, determining whether the requester is near an authorized location, and authorizing access to the group account. Authorizing access to the group account can be based on determining that the requester is a member and is within a pre-defined distance of an authorized location.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enable a co-located group to be used as an authorization mechanism are discussed. For example, a method to receive a group account configuration, define a group account according to the group account configuration, receive a transaction authorization request associated with the group account, and authorize payment from the group account. The account configuration including a membership list and a target location. The method further including determining whether the transaction authorization request includes data identifying an identified user on the membership list. The method also including determining whether the identified user on the membership list is physically proximate to the target location. The authorizing payment from the group account including verifying that the identified user is determined to be physically proximate to the target location.

Abstract: A method for providing payer information on a payer device includes providing a payer device that includes at least one physical state change component moveably coupled to the payer device. Payer information is received over a network. The payer information is then determined to be associated with a physical state change instruction in a non-transitory, machine-readable medium of the payer device. The at least one physical state change component is then actuated according to the physical state change instruction to provide the payer information to a payer by changing the physical state of the payer device.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a method of selecting and retrieving information related to selectable items in a dynamic digital event (e.g., a movie) is presented. Each of the selectable items is available for purchase by an end-user. The method includes preparing the digital event for presentation on an electronic device of the end-user. Preparing the digital event includes generating tags for each of the selectable items within the digital event and adding metadata for each item. The metadata includes a description for each item. An indication is displayed to the end-user that one or more of the selectable items are present within at least a portion of the digital event. A determination is made whether the end-user has selected at least one item. Based on a determination that the end-user has selected at least one item, the metadata associated with the at least one item is displayed to the end-user.

Abstract: An equipment support (10) for supporting a piece of equipment (20). The equipment support (10) being operable to support the piece of equipment (20) and including a drive arrangement (13a, 13b) to provide drive so that the position of the piece of equipment (20) relative to a user of the equipment is automatically and continuous varied over time.

Abstract: Laser scanners are used for determining deformation in vehicle bodies and the like, using a laser scanning apparatus in conjunction with a plurality of coded targets suspended from (or in known relationship to) known reference points on the vehicle to calculate three dimensional spatial coordinates defining the actual positions of the targets, and to compare such calculated positions with manufacturer-provided specification values. The present invention provides improved signal collection through the use of an independent synchronization circuit that uses a fiber optic cable for signal collection; improved component isolation through the use of a mounting plate and isolation mounts; improved component alignment through the use of easier and more reliable alignment mechanisms; and improved data collection and processing through the use of onboard data averaging and filtering.

Abstract: An equipment support (10) for supporting a piece of equipment (20). The equipment support (10) being operable to support the piece of equipment (20) and including a drive arrangement (13a, 13b) to provide drive so that the position of the piece of equipment (20) relative to a user of the equipment is automatically and continuous varied over time.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are disclosed for the treatment of a surface through the projection of an abrading material against the surface. The abrading material is fed from a hopper to a centrifugal blast wheel which projects the abrading material toward the surface, the blast wheel rotated by a blast motor. A controllably positionable valve is disposed between the hopper and the blast wheel to regulate a rate at which the abrading material passes from the hopper to the blast wheel. During operation, a target current to be applied to the blast motor is determined by a control circuit, the target current indicative of a desired rate of abrasion of the surface. The control circuit then measures the current applied to the blast wheel and controls the position of the valve in relation to the target current and the measured current.