Abstract: Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container.

Abstract: The present inventive disclosure is directed generally to an improved automobile air-conditioning system that can be operated while the automobile's engine is not running. In variations, a typical vapor-compression-cycle air-conditioning system is modified to allow the refrigerant compressor to be driven from either of two power sources: (1) from a traditional engine-mounted pulley system, or (2) from a DC-motor powered by an electrical source independent from the engine. In another variation, the air-conditioning system is driven by one or more thermal-electric-cooling (TEC) modules, wherein the TEC-based system is powered by an auxiliary DC-power source that in some variations is powered by, or at least supplemented by, a solar-energy grid.

Abstract: The present inventive disclosure is directed generally to an improved automobile air- conditioning system that can be operated while the automobile's engine is not running. In variations, a typical vapor-compression-cycle air-conditioning system is modified to allow the refrigerant compressor to be driven from either of two power sources: (1) from a traditional engine-mounted pulley system, or (2) from a DC-motor powered by an electrical source independent from the engine. In another variation, the air-conditioning system is driven by one or more thermal-electric-cooling (TEC) modules, wherein the TEC-based system is powered by an auxiliary DC-power source that in some variations is powered by, or at least supplemented by, a solar-energy grid.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a user with a consistent view of user session. The method includes providing application servers with data storage means for storing part of the user context for that user session, defining for each user session a set of application servers having each an affinity with the user session. At a routing means, receiving a request and routing transactions of the user session toward the application servers, assigning to the user session a correlation record (DCX) arranged to comprise Affinity Keys, each Affinity Key indicating an application server that has an affinity with the user session for a given software application, and propagating the correlation record with transactions, allowing thereby the routing means to target the application servers that are linked to the user context of that user session and that process the software application relevant to process the transaction.

Abstract: The method and system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows synchronizing the PNR values across a multi-server (possibly multi-platform) reservation system with an efficient and consistent mechanism. The mechanism addresses the consistency and performance issues thanks to its versioning and its lazy behaviour (the synchronization occurs only when required). It can be used as a solution during a migration phase from one system to another with progressive migration of applications sharing data, and also as a permanent solution for distributed applications across different platforms. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservation services are distributed between two different platforms (e.g. mainframe and open platforms) they require sharing the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) contextual data in read and write mode to perform their business functionalities.

Abstract: The method and system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows ensuring consistency of the PNR record when it is handled within the subsystem controlled by the reservation interceptor module and including a plurality of OBEs. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the PNR context on open systems is centralized to avoid its fragmentation in the distributed environment, as gathering of all the context parts implies performance issues. In addition, instead of implementing a transaction session protocol to handle a start of transaction, intermediate updates and a final commit or rollback on the PNR context, the principle of the service interceptor architecture is to delegate the functional queries with the current user PNR context which will be modified in the central repository of PNR context only at response time when the whole functional use-case is finished.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing a user with a consistent view of user session in a distributed environment. The method includes providing application servers with data storage means for storing part of the user context for that user session, defining thereby for each user session a set of application servers having each an affinity with the user session. Each application server is configured to process a software application that is required for that user session.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for routing data in a system. The method includes determining an initial fixed distribution pattern, determining a queue parameter based on at least a current amount of system use and a maximum potential system use, determining a time parameter based on the time that a message in the application has been waiting for its processing, determining a load parameter based on at least the time parameter and the queue parameter, and modifying the distribution pattern based on at least the load parameter.

Abstract: An interface module between a communication module and a number of instances of business logic modules of a software engine comprises first and second functional elements. The first functional element receives incoming data from the communications module and selects which of the instances of business logic modules to forward the incoming data based upon a rule set held within a data structure at the first functional element. The incoming data passes to the selected logic module instance via the second functional element. The second functional element determines either a single shot or a multiple shot mode of operation. If a multiple shot mode of operation is selected incoming data passes to the selected logic module instance sequentially. Alternatively, if a single shot mode of operation is selected a summary data record corresponding summary of incoming data received at the first function element passes to the selected logic module instance.

Abstract: The invention concerns the processing of audio data. The invention is characterized in that it consists in: (a) encoding signals representing a sound propagated in three-dimensional space and derived from a source located at a first distance (P) from a reference point, to obtain a representation of the sound through components expressed in a spherical harmonic base, of origin corresponding to said reference point, (b) and applying to said components compensation of a near-field effect through filtering based on a second distance (R) defining, for sound reproduction, a distance between a reproduction point (HPi), and a point (P) of auditory perception where a listener is usually located.

Abstract: Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container.

Abstract: Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container.

Abstract: Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container.

Abstract: Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container.

Abstract: The invention concerns sound spatialization with multichannel encoding for binaural reproduction on two loudspeakers, the spatial encoding being defined by encoding functions associated with multiple encoding channels and the decoding by applying filters for binaural reproduction.

Abstract: In a middleware implementing an enterprise service bus (ESB) for interconnecting disparate software applications a method and a system of extending services provided by the ESB are disclosed. All incoming service requests reaching ESB from end-clients are not only forwarded to a primary server but are all, or an adjustable fraction of all of them, replicated to one or more secondary shadow servers. All replies received by ESB from the primary server and from the secondary shadow servers are validated. Validation includes the forwarding to the end-clients of a single validated reply for each incoming service request while all redundant replies are discarded. Replication of incoming service requests and validation of all replies extend the services provided by an ESB allowing e.g., to warm up a newly installed server, to bring up new software applications, to guarantee the integrity of operation of a cluster of servers and to optimize the response times.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for routing data in a system. The method includes determining an initial fixed distribution pattern, determining a queue parameter based on at least a current amount of system use and a maximum potential system use, determining a time parameter based on the time that a message in the application has been waiting for its processing, determining a load parameter based on at least the time parameter and the queue parameter, and modifying the distribution pattern based on at least the load parameter.

Abstract: An interface module between a communication module and a number of instances of business logic modules of a software engine comprises first and second functional elements. The first functional element receives incoming data from the communications module and selects which of the instances of business logic modules to forward the incoming data based upon a rule set held within a data structure at the first functional element. The incoming data passes to the selected logic module instance via the second functional element. The second functional element determines either a single shot or a multiple shot mode of operation. If a multiple shot mode of operation is selected incoming data passes to the selected logic module instance sequentially. Alternatively, if a single shot mode of operation is selected a summary data record corresponding summary of incoming data received at the first function element passes to the selected logic module instance.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention determines equivalence between a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit represented by a first circuit function is decomposed into first and second decomposition circuits represented by first and second decomposition functions, respectively. The first circuit has a plurality of first primary inputs and first primary outputs. The plurality of the first primary inputs includes first and second primary input subsets. A reducing function of a reducing circuit is selected for the first decomposition function to reduce complexity of a first composition of the first circuit function and the reducing function. Equivalence is determined between the first composition with a second composition of the reducing function and a second circuit function of a second circuit. The second circuit has a plurality of second primary inputs and second primary outputs matching to the plurality of the first primary inputs and the first primary outputs, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle liquid dispensing system having a dispenser which may be retracted or concealed within the dashboard, a thermoelectric liquid heat exchanger for heating or cooling the liquids, an esthetically pleasing liquid reservoir and a pump: all components are disposed within the structure of the vehicle and do not take up passenger compartment space. In embodiments, an on/off switch may be provided to prevent dispensing, a switch may be provided at the dispenser to activate the pump, the pump may be electrical, and the fluid connections between the components of the system may be provided with connectors allowing easy cleaning.