Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering data regarding a specific fixture and the products displayed on that fixture. A user is guided towards the specific fixture and is directed to take images of the fixture as well as of specific products displayed on that fixture. Data regarding one or more of these products is also gathered from the user. The images taken as well as the data gathered are then uploaded to a remote server for processing. These images and the data may be crowdsourced to spread the effort required to gather the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to item identification. A machine readable indicia (such as a bar code or a QR code or other machine readable indicia) is displayed on a screen of an item to be identified. The indicia, when read and decoded by another device, provides details regarding the item's identity. To set the identity, a user is provided with a listing of possible identities for the item and the user selects one of the possible identities. A suitable machine readable indicia, based on the user's selection, is then downloaded or stored on the item for display on the item's screen. The indicia and/or the listing may be stored on a database remote from the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to validating elements expected to be displayed on a display fixture. A digital image of the fixture or of each element displayed on the fixture is taken by a user. This digital image is then compared with stored images of the elements expected to be displayed on the fixture. For elements whose digital image matches its corresponding stored image, meaning that the element is present on the fixture, the element is designated as valid. In one variant, a digital image of the fixture is taken, and portions are matched with the stored images of the expected elements. If the stored image of an element matches a portion of the digital image of the fixture, then that element is designated as being valid and present on the fixture.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for modifying network applications. For instance, remote system(s) may store an application on a first virtual storage device and store a modification for the application on a second virtual storage device. The remote system(s) may then install the application on a virtual server using the first virtual storage device. Additionally, the remote system(s) may receive a request to access the application along with an indication to enable the modification for the application. Based on the request, the remote system(s) may modify the application on the virtual server using the second virtual storage device. The remote system(s) may then launch the application, as modified, on the virtual server. Once the application is launched, the system(s) may provide the application to a user device using the virtual server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing display fixtures, especially display fixtures for use in marketing and promotions. Multiple software modules allow a user to design/configure a tangible display fixture by selecting components used to assemble and populate the display fixture. Once designed, the various components of the display fixture can be tagged with suitable metadata to allow for easy generation of lists of components associated with that specifically designed or configured display fixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to estimating a time required to implement changes to a display fixture. A user enters an identification of a display fixture and a display element to be changed on the display fixture. The system retrieves change data relating to display element locations affected by the change and determines how much time, based on historical change data, the change should take.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing display fixtures, especially display fixtures for use in marketing and promotions. Multiple software modules allow a user to design/configure a tangible display fixture by selecting components used to assemble and populate the display fixture. Once designed, the various components of the display fixture can be tagged with suitable metadata to allow for easy generation of lists of components associated with that specifically designed or configured display fixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a store's displays and for automatically ordering components for such displays. A system includes at least one database of products details regarding each product's various prices, physical packaging dimensions, descriptions, and at least one image of each product. The system allows a user to configure a fixture on which products are to be displayed. Each display fixture can then be provisioned by the user so that the identity of the products to be displayed on each display peg or shelf is displayed. The database may also include a database of the various display fixtures used in the store along with the parts, components, and supplies for those fixtures. The system automatically generates purchase orders and authorization requests if an order is above a certain amount. In the event a request is not addressed within a certain amount of time, the system generates automated reminders.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to product placement and for generating metrics relating to product placement. A plurality of cameras is deployed at a retail establishment and the output from these cameras is analyzed to track customers inside the retail establishment. Data from a database containing product data, product location data, and purchase data generated from point of sales terminals at the retail establishment is correlated with the time stamped and time indexed footage and images from the various cameras. Analysis of these various data sets provides indications as to who is in the store, who purchases products, what products are purchased, when were products purchased, what promotions were running in the store, and where were these products located in the retail establishment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing display fixtures, especially display fixtures for use in marketing and promotions. Multiple software modules allow a user to design/configure a tangible display fixture by selecting components used to assemble and populate the display fixture. Once designed, the various components of the display fixture can be tagged with suitable metadata to allow for easy generation of lists of components associated with that specifically designed or configured display fixture.

Abstract: A cosmetic fiber dispenser and filler apparatus collects cosmetic fibers in a chamber and dispenses fiber into filling tubes by gathering the fiber with a conveyor auger. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a wire which is controlled to oscillate within the cosmetic fiber in the chamber to break up clumps as the conveyor auger directs the fiber out an outlet port where it may be dispensed directly into a cosmetics tube.

Abstract: A system for creating a cementitious building includes a support structure comprising a plurality of support members, and an inflatable rigidizable structural (IRS) form. The IRS form comprises a plurality of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM) sections having GCCM configured to absorb water and rigidize in response to hydration, each GCCM section being coupled to another GCCM section of the plurality such that the IRS form is pneumatically inflatable.

Abstract: A system for creating a cementitious building includes a support structure comprising a plurality of support members, and an inflatable rigidizable structural (IRS) form. The IRS form comprises a plurality of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM) sections having GCCM configured to absorb water and rigidize in response to hydration, each GCCM section being coupled to another GCCM section of the plurality such that the IRS form is pneumatically inflatable.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst comprising the steps of (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst comprising the steps of (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst including the steps of: (i) impregnating a calcined support comprising a metal aluminate with a solution of nickel acetate at a temperature ?40° C. and drying the impregnated support, (ii) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form nickel oxide on the surface of the support and (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii) on the nickel oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a store's advertising and product displays. A system includes at least one database of products details regarding each product's various prices, physical packaging dimensions, descriptions, and at least one image of each product. The system allows a user to configure a fixture on which products are to be displayed, including the fixture's physical dimensions. Each display fixture can then be provisioned by the user so that the identity of the products to be displayed on each display peg or shelf, along with how many of that product, is displayed. The database may also include a database of the various display fixtures used in the store along with the parts, components, and supplies for those fixtures. A method for automatically allowing monitors to self-update content is also part of the invention and may be used with smart or intelligent televisions or monitors.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.