Abstract: A method of prompting impulse purchases includes detecting a position of a customer at an impulse purchase location via an impulse purchase prompt initiator, automatically transmitting, via the impulse purchase prompt initiator, an impulse purchase prompt to the customer, fulfilling, in near-real time, an impulse purchase request transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt via the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sending a signal to a communications module of an automated locker, and automatically opening the at least one storage compartment and dispensing a product associated with the impulse purchase. The automated locker includes storage that is temperature controlled so as to lower a temperature of the product, and the impulse purchase prompt is only automatically transmitted in response to the temperature of the product being equal to or less than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a mobile device, an impulse purchase location, an impulse purchase prompt initiator that detects a position of the mobile device, an impulse purchase prompt, and a fulfillment configuration. The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the prompt to the mobile device. The fulfillment configuration fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the prompt and comprises an automated locker including a storage compartment. The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sends a signal to the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request so as to automatically cause the storage compartment to open and dispense a product, and is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of delivering a self-directed user experience includes encoding access to an intermediate menu in at least one matrix bar code, developing an intermediate menu that facilitates a self-directed user experience, and presenting the at least one matrix bar code to a user via placement on a product. Further in accordance with this aspect, the method may include directing the user to the intermediate menu via the at least one matrix bar code such that the self-directed user experience is responsive to user interaction with intermediate menu.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes an analytic device communicatively connected with a plurality of data sources and a field device. The analytic device includes a processor configured to, in response to determining based on input data from at least one of the plurality of data sources that a criteria for issuing a planogram (POG) void alert has been met, cause the field device to display a notification indicative of the POG void alert, and, in response to determining based on data indicating user input to the field device that the issued POG void alert was invalid, update the criteria for issuing the POG void alert, such that a subsequent POG void alert is issued according to the updated criteria.

Abstract: A system and method of prompting impulse purchases includes detecting a customer, transmitting an impulse purchase prompt to the customer, and fulfilling, in near-real time, an impulse purchase request transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of delivering a self-directed user experience includes encoding access to an intermediate menu in at least one matrix bar code, developing an intermediate menu that facilitates a self-directed user experience, and presenting the at least one matrix bar code to a user via placement on a product. Further in accordance with this aspect, the method may include directing the user to the intermediate menu via the at least one matrix bar code such that the self-directed user experience is responsive to user interaction with intermediate menu.

Abstract: A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.

Abstract: A laser manipulation system controllably moves a laser head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with laser light from the laser head. The laser manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the laser head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the laser head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the laser head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The laser manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: A containment plenum is adapted to deliver laser light to an interaction region of an inhabitable structure to remove material from the structure. The containment plenum includes a plenum housing adapted to be coupled to a source of laser light. The containment plenum further includes a window substantially transparent to the laser light. The window is mounted within the plenum housing to transmit the laser light in a downstream direction and to provide a barrier to upstream transport of particulate matter generated by interaction of the laser light and the structure. The containment plenum further includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is mounted downstream of the window whereby the laser light and the compressed gas are transmitted through the nozzle in the downstream direction to the interaction region of the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.

Abstract: A containment plenum is adapted to deliver laser light to an interaction region of an inhabitable structure to remove material from the structure. The containment plenum includes a plenum housing adapted to be coupled to a source of laser light. The containment plenum further includes a window substantially transparent to the laser light. The window is mounted within the plenum housing to transmit the laser light in a downstream direction and to provide a barrier to upstream transport of particulate matter generated by interaction of the laser light and the structure. The containment plenum further includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is mounted downstream of the window whereby the laser light and the compressed gas are transmitted through the nozzle in the downstream direction to the interaction region of the structure.

Abstract: A laser manipulation system controllably moves a laser head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with laser light from the laser head. The laser manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the laser head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the laser head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the laser head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The laser manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: A load management terminal is utilized as an end device in a utility's distribution network communication system. The distribution network carries electrical power as well as communication signals. The load management terminal is comprised of a power line coupling unit for connecting the load management terminal to the power distribution network. A signal receiver and conditioning unit produces a command signal in response to a received communication signal. A solid state memory contains preprogrammed instructions and data. A control logic circuit performs load control functions in response to the preprogrammed instructions, data and the command signal. These load control functions include the opening and closing of load control switches for selectively disconnecting and connecting, respectively, customer loads. A cold load pick-up produces power outage information enabling the load management terminal to provide local, load control functions.