Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of language learning, which displays a three dimensional environment on a user display. A user can navigate a character representation (3) around the environment. A plurality of destination points (2A, 2B, 2C) are provided in the environment for the character (3), wherein at least at selected destination points either exemplar or interactive conversations (7, 8) are initiated with the character (3).

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

Abstract: A method for applying promotion codes to a payment transaction using an input device in communication with a database is provided. The payment transaction includes a purchase made by a cardholder using a payment card over a payment card network. The method includes storing promotion data within the database including at least one promotional program having a qualifying number of rewards points for a rewards program, and storing rewards data within the database including a current number of rewards points accumulated by the cardholder. The method further includes providing access to the promotion data through the at least one input device including each promotional program having a qualifying number of rewards points that is less than the current number of rewards points for the cardholder, receiving a selected promotional program from the cardholder, and automatically applying the promotion codes associated with the selected promotional program to the payment transaction.

Abstract: A cardholder-initiated financial transaction using a cardholder controlled input device in communication with a payment card network and a database is disclosed. The cardholder uses a payment card issued to the cardholder by an issuer bank. An exemplary method includes the steps of storing merchant data within the database including data identifying the merchants registered to utilize the card network and receiving from the input device transaction data relating to the financial transaction. The transaction data includes an authorization request and merchant identifying data that identifies the merchant involved in the transaction. The method further includes determining that the identified merchant is registered to utilize the card network by comparing the transaction data with the merchant data stored in the database, forwarding the authorization request to the issuer bank, receiving a response to the request from the issuer bank, and automatically forwarding the response to the input device.

Abstract: A method for applying promotion codes to a payment transaction is provided. The method uses at least one input device in communication with a database. The payment transaction includes a purchase made by a cardholder using a payment card over a payment card network. The method includes storing promotion data within the database including at least one merchant participating in the payment card network, each promotional program offered by the at least one merchant to the cardholder, and promotion codes associated with each promotional program offered to the cardholder. The method further includes accessing the promotion data using the at least one input device, receiving a selected promotional program from the cardholder using the at least one input device, and automatically applying the promotion codes associated with the selected promotional program to the payment transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a glass package by applying a force to a glass assembly while simultaneously irradiating a sealing material disposed between the two glass substrates with a beam of radiation. The applied force is translated in unison with the radiation beam. The radiation cures and/or melts the sealing material, depending upon the sealing material. The applied force beneficially improves contact between the glass substrates and the sealing material during the sealing process, therefore assisting in achieving a hermetic seal between the substrates.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

Abstract: Methods for reducing stress on an isopipe during manufacture of a drawn glass sheet are disclosed including a method comprising providing an isopipe having a root, heating the isopipe to a predetermined temperature, maintaining the isopipe at the predetermined temperature for a period of time sufficient to relieve at least a portion of a tensile stress on the isopipe root, coupling the isopipe to a down-corner, and then providing glass to the isopipe. Also disclosed is a method comprising heating an isopipe such that the temperature difference between the weir and the root of the isopipe, after heating and prior to coupling, is less than about 100° C. A method comprising application of a compressive force to the ends of an isopipe root during heating is also disclosed.