Abstract: An electric rail system includes a current collector mounted for movement along at least one rail of the electric rail system and a monitoring system for detecting a condition indicative of a problem with the rail system or the current collector. The monitoring system includes a detector having one or more of: a camera configured to record images of a portion of the rail system in front of or behind the current collector, at least one vibration sensor on at least one slip contact of the current collector, an optical spark sensor configured to detect sparks in a contact region between the slip contact and the at least one rail, and at least one distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the at least one distance sensor and the at least one rail.

Abstract: An electric rail system includes a current collector mounted for movement along at least one rail of the electric rail system and a monitoring system for detecting a condition indicative of a problem with the rail system or the current collector. The monitoring system includes a detector having one or more of: a camera configured to record images of a portion of the rail system in front of or behind the current collector, at least one vibration sensor on at least one slip contact of the current collector, an optical spark sensor configured to detect sparks in a contact region between the slip contact and the at least one rail, and at least one distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the at least one distance sensor and the at least one rail.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive a first signal indicating that a first user has used a first bid to bid on a first item at an auction, and increase an auction price of the first item in response to receiving the first signal. The processor-readable medium further stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive a second signal indicating that a second user has used a second bid to bid on the first item at the auction, increase the auction price of the first item in response to receiving the second signal and receive a third signal indicating that the first user has chosen to purchase a second item substantially similar to the first item for a discounted price. The discounted price is equal to a retail price of the second item minus at least a price of the first bid.