Abstract: A beverage nucleation device includes a housing, a beverage receiving area defined by the housing for receiving a beverage container containing a supercooled beverage, and a support configured to support the beverage container in an upright orientation in the beverage container receiving area. The beverage nucleation device may further include an applicator configured to contact a sidewall of the beverage container on the support, wherein the applicator includes an elastomeric material. An ultrasonic transducer of the beverage nucleation device is configured to generate and apply ultrasonic energy to the beverage container via the applicator so as to cause nucleation of the supercooled beverage.

Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.

Abstract: Modular vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers. A modular vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, and a control unit. Several modular vending machines may be stacked and/or arranged together in various configurations. Several modular vending machines may be linked electronically and may communicate with each other and/or with a user mobile device over a network. A modular vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer removes a product from the modular vending machine. A consumer may access and purchase products from several modular vending machines in one transaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods directed to improving the functions of a vehicle. Systems and methods are provided that provide a custom tool that autogenerates a set of software agents that allows a system to separate processing, transmission and receiving of messages to achieve better synchronization. The disclosure herein also provides a simplified method of key provisioning by designating one client as a server and assigning a symmetric key to every other client permanently provisioned between that client and the server. Systems and method are further provided that predict faults in a vehicle. Systems and methods are also provided that preserve data in the event of a system crash. Systems and methods are also provided in which an operating system of a vehicle detects the presence of a new peripheral and pulls the related interface file for that new peripheral. Further, a data synchronization solution is provided herein which provides optimized levels of synchronization.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods directed to improving the functions of a vehicle. Systems and methods are provided that provide a custom tool that autogenerates a set of software agents that allows a system to separate processing, transmission and receiving of messages to achieve better synchronization. The disclosure herein also provides a simplified method of key provisioning by designating one client as a server and assigning a symmetric key to every other client permanently provisioned between that client and the server. Systems and method are further provided that predict faults in a vehicle. Systems and methods are also provided that preserve data in the event of a system crash. Systems and methods are also provided in which an operating system of a vehicle detects the presence of a new peripheral and pulls the related interface file for that new peripheral. Further, a data synchronization solution is provided herein which provides optimized levels of synchronization.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods directed to improving the functions of a vehicle. Systems and methods are provided that provide a custom tool that autogenerates a set of software agents that allows a system to separate processing, transmission and receiving of messages to achieve better synchronization. The disclosure herein also provides a simplified method of key provisioning by designating one client as a server and assigning a symmetric key to every other client permanently provisioned between that client and the server. Systems and method are further provided that predict faults in a vehicle. Systems and methods are also provided that preserve data in the event of a system crash. Systems and methods are also provided in which an operating system of a vehicle detects the presence of a new peripheral and pulls the related interface file for that new peripheral. Further, a data synchronization solution is provided herein which provides optimized levels of synchronization.

Abstract: Vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers in a space-efficient manner. A vending machine may include a product compartment, a product storage system, a support structure, a dispensing port, and a product delivery system. The support structure may elevate the product compartment and form a void beneath the product compartment. Other structures may occupy the void beneath the product compartment, or humans may walk through the void beneath the product compartment. A product may be automatically moved from the product compartment to the dispensing port using the product delivery system.

Abstract: Mobile vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers at various locations. A mobile vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, a powertrain system, and a control unit. A consumer may view a list of products in the mobile vending machine using a mobile device, such as a smart phone. The consumer may summon the mobile vending machine to a location using the mobile device, and the mobile vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer receives a product from the mobile vending machine. The control unit may enable the mobile vending machine to autonomously travel to the location of the consumer.

Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.

Abstract: A vending machine with a reduced vertical height and footprint has a horizontal roller surface system for delivering vending products. The horizontal roller system includes actuated rollers and trays that move on top of the rollers. The products are present on top of the trays; the rollers actuate to deliver the trays, and the products, to a delivery portal. Some embodiments of the vending machine have a transparent top to allow the interior of the vending machine, and particularly the roller surface, to be visible from the exterior of the vending machine. The reduced height and size of the vending machine enables it to be placed in locations that are unavailable to conventional vending machines.

Abstract: A digitally certified ecosystem includes a plurality of verifying entities and a plurality of verified entities, each verified entity verified according to at least one aspect of the entity by at least one of the verifying entities. The digitally certified ecosystem further includes an issuing system server which enables a secure communications mode on a website of a verified entity.

Abstract: Mobile vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers at various locations. A mobile vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, a powertrain system, and a control unit. A consumer may view a list of products in the mobile vending machine using a mobile device, such as a smart phone. The consumer may summon the mobile vending machine to a location using the mobile device, and the mobile vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer receives a product from the mobile vending machine. The control unit may enable the mobile vending machine to autonomously travel to the location of the consumer.

Abstract: A cleansing device for mammalian skin includes a cleansing head having a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features extending away from a first surface of the cleansing head. The cleansing head is attached to a handle. The cleansing device includes an actuator coupled to a rotating drive shaft and adapted to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections of the cleansing head at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz.

Abstract: A cleansing device for mammalian skin includes a cleansing head having a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features extending away from a first surface of the cleansing head. The cleansing head is attached to a handle. The cleansing device includes an actuator coupled to a rotating drive shaft and adapted to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections of the cleansing head at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a stakeholder to engage in business to business trading in goods or services; said method comprising attributing a merit based ranking/score to each stakeholder.

Abstract: An air purifier is presented with a sensor controlling a motorized fan, wherein the sensor continuously and automatically adjusts the sensitivity setting of the sensor as the quality of air being purified changes. The average air quality readings of the air passing through an air purifier are monitored over a designated time period and, as the quality fluctuates, the sensitivity of the sensor is automatically adjusted. If the air quality is poor (i.e. a high particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a less sensitive setting (i.e. allowing higher fan speeds so that more air can be moved through the filter) and, if the air quality is good (i.e. a low particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a more sensitive setting (i.e. setting a lower maximum fan speed because not as much air needs to move through the filter).

Abstract: A control system in an air monitor is programmed to selectively direct air from more than one source over a sensor and various algorithms are then used to provide feedback regarding the difference between the particulate readings at each of the sources. In one embodiment, a data curve for a reading from one air source during a first time period is overlaid with a line which is linearly extrapolated beyond the end of that time period and the data curve for a reading from a second air source during an immediately subsequent second time period is overlaid with a line which is linearly extrapolated beyond the start of that time period. The difference in the contaminant level between the extrapolated lines at the end of the first time period and the beginning of the second time period approximates the difference in contaminant content between the two air sources.

Abstract: An air purifier is presented with a sensor controlling a motorized fan, wherein the sensor continuously and automatically adjusts the sensitivity setting of the sensor as the quality of air being purified changes. The average air quality readings of the air passing through an air purifier are monitored over a designated time period and, as the quality fluctuates, the sensitivity of the sensor is automatically adjusted. If the air quality is poor (i.e. a high particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a less sensitive setting (i.e. allowing higher fan speeds so that more air can be moved through the filter) and, if the air quality is good (i.e. a low particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a more sensitive setting (i.e. setting a lower maximum fan speed because not as much air needs to move through the filter).