Abstract: A kiosk management system may identify items with which to pre-stock a plurality of geographically distributed kiosks. The identified items may be delivered from a distribution center to one or more distribution agents, who then deliver the identified items to individual kiosks. When the kiosk management system receives a request for an item from a consumer who has been browsing items in, e.g., an electronic marketplace, the kiosk management system can determine whether the requested item is available at any kiosks in proximity of the consumer and provide a list of such kiosks to the consumer for selection. Following selection of a kiosk by the consumer, the kiosk management system can send the consumer a notification identifying the designated kiosk and including a generated code for use by the consumer in retrieving of the requested item from the designated kiosk.

Abstract: A method and system of conducting a mobile transaction with a kiosk management system operating a plurality of kiosks for requested items is provided. A consumer may possess a portable device configured to communicate with the kiosk management system such that the kiosk management system may provide requested items to a selected kiosk from the plurality of kiosks. The portable device may operate a mobile application to display a list of available kiosks providing the requested items for the consumer to select a kiosk to reserve the requested items at. The consumer may then use the portable device to interact with the selected kiosk to retrieve the requested items reserved at the selected kiosk.

Abstract: Member profile information for a control set of one or more control members and for a fraudulent set of one or more fraudulent members are obtained. Each member in the control set is at least believed to be legitimate and each member in the fraudulent set is at least suspected of being fraudulent. A test associated with identifying fraudulent members is generated using the member profile information for the control set and for the fraudulent set; the test inputs one or more pieces of member profile information for a member being tested.

Abstract: Member profile information for a control set of one or more control members and for a fraudulent set of one or more fraudulent members are obtained. Each member in the control set is at least believed to be legitimate and each member in the fraudulent set is at least suspected of being fraudulent. A test associated with identifying fraudulent members is generated using the member profile information for the control set and for the fraudulent set; the test inputs one or more pieces of member profile information for a member being tested.

Abstract: A test to identify fraudulent users of an online group is generated. Data associated with a control group is obtained. Data associated with a fraudulent group is obtained. A test to identify fraudulent users of the online group is generated by comparing the data associated with the control group and the data associated with the fraudulent group.

Abstract: This invention is directed to amusement devices wherein players attempt to rapidly convert target messages into a “text message” using a conventional keypad arrangement such as that provided on a push button phone. The target message is the message that is intended to be translated may be communicated to the player using a visual display or be provided to a player orally. The object of the game is to accurately convert the target message to a “text message” as rapidly as possible using the keypad and the translated message is sent from the keypad data entry device to a central processing unit where it is then displayed and provided a score or rank according to predetermined scoring criteria.

Abstract: This invention is directed to amusement devices wherein players attempt to rapidly convert target messages into a “text message” using a conventional keypad arrangement such as that provided on a push button phone. The target message is the message that is intended to be translated may be communicated to the player using a visual display or be provided to a player orally. The object of the game is to accurately convert the target message to a “text message” as rapidly as possible using the keypad and the translated message is sent from the keypad data entry device to a central processing unit where it is then displayed and provided a score or rank according to predetermined scoring criteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 100 for forming an annular elastomeric tire component has the steps of extruding at least one elastomeric material annularly onto a support surface 60 and shaping the at least one strip 2 of elastomeric material to a predetermined profile by forming the at least one strip 2 of material between a shaping die 84 and the support surface 60 thereby smoothing and spreading the strip to the desired profile. The method may include applying additional strips 2 to form multilayered components. The support surface 60 may be separate from a tire building station 200 or may be integral to a tire building station 200. The formed strips may include any one or more tire components such as a sidewall 20, a chafer 30, a bead apex 10, ply stock coatings 40, an innerliner 50, or a tread 22.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 100 for forming an annular elastomeric tire component has the steps of extruding at least one elastomeric material annularly onto a support surface 60 and shaping the at least one strip 2 of elastomeric material to a predetermined profile by forming the at least one strip 2 of material between a shaping die 84 and the support surface 60 thereby smoothing and spreading the strip to the desired profile. The method may include applying additional strips 2 to form multilayered components. The support surface 60 may be separate from a tire building station 200 or may be integral to a tire building station 200. The formed strips may include any one or more tire components such as a sidewall 20, a chafer 30, a bead apex 10, ply stock coatings 40, an innerliner 50, or a tread 22.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for gathering and analyzing data related to travel conditions and generating and sending a message explaining the travel conditions to one or more travelers. The present invention includes a travel conditions analyzer which accesses data and information from several different databases such as weather condition websites and travel websites. The data and information from the databases is analyzed and predictions on travel delays are made based on the data and information. A messaging tool determines a group of travelers that are affected by the adverse travel conditions. Then the messaging tool generates a message based on the travel conditions and sends the message to one or more affected travelers. The affected travelers can therefore change their travel plans or make other arrangements as needed based on the information contained in the message.