Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a target, an inlet conduit to an ion analyser or mass spectrometer, the inlet conduit having an inlet through which the aerosol, smoke or vapour passes, and a Venturi pump arrangement arranged and adapted to direct the aerosol, smoke or vapour towards the inlet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for integrating common and context-specific natural language understanding (NLU) processing in a virtual assistant application. A server identifies a common NLU processing unit comprising (i) a common NLU classification model and (ii) a common response library comprising common responses. The server builds a combined NLU processing unit based upon the common NLU classification model and a context-specific NLU classification model, the combined NLU processing unit comprising (i) a combined NLU classification model trained using the common NLU training data and context-specific NLU training data, (ii) the common response library and (iii) a context-specific response library comprising context-specific responses. The server generates a response to an input utterance by determining a user intent associated with the input utterance using the combined NLU classification model, locating a response associated with the user intent in one or more of the libraries.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer-readable media related to preserving customer data privacy for merchant orders. A purchase request may be received from a user device. The purchase request may be processed to identify user data, merchant data, and merchandise data. A privacy identifier associated with the purchase request may be generated. An intermediate processing center to receive requested merchandise may be determined based at least in part on the purchase request. Intermediate processing center data may be associated with the privacy identifier. The purchase request may be modified by removing at least a portion of the user data, and adding the privacy identifier. The modified purchase request may be transmitted to a merchant based at least in part on the merchant data.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer-readable media related to competitive merchandise fulfillment delivery speed monitoring. Competitor merchants for a geographic region may be identified. Data for merchandise from sources associated with the competitor merchants may be obtained. A set of policies may be retrieved. The obtained data may be analyzed based at least in part on the policies to identify merchandise and an associated delivery speed available via the one or more competitor merchants. One or more suggested inventory management actions affecting the identified merchandise available via an online retailer may be generated based at least in part on the analyzed data. Implementation of at least one of the suggested inventory management actions may be facilitated. A website of the online retailer may be updated for the identified merchandise based at least in part on the implementation of the at least one of the one or more suggested inventory management actions.

Abstract: A display and storage stand for displaying and storing merchandise in a retail store location, including at least one stationary display shelf for merchandise to be displayed at an advantageous height for customer access, at least one slidably movable lower storage shelf underneath and immediately adjacent to the stationary display shelf for storing additional merchandise is located in a convenient location for a stock clerk to have ready access to replenish the merchandise sold from the display shelf and a positioning locking mechanism in the slidably movable lower storage shelf that locks said lower storage shelf in position to prevent a loaded lower storage shelf from tipping over the display and storage stand.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for determining, assigning and directing containers for transshipment between facilities without using an item-level sortation process and moving containers from a receiving area of a facility to an outbound dock without placing the items into inventory. A facility may or may not have item-level sortation processing. Data indicating received items is received. A determination is made for which of the received containers are for transshipment from the materials handling facility based on multiple factors. Containers in receiving that are determined for transshipment may be directed from receive to outbound docks without placing the items into inventory and without using an item-level sortation process. Pallets may be transshipped without placing the items into inventory and without depalletization.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a figurine for use in a game apparatus, wherein the figurine is capable of being customized to a particular arrangement. In one aspect, a foosball figurine for use with a foosball game is provided. The foosball figurine includes a body portion and a head portion connected to the body portion. The foosball figurine further includes a foot portion connected to the body portion by a releasable member, wherein the foot portion has a profile shape. In another aspect, a figurine for use with a game apparatus is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of using a foosball figurine in a foosball game is provided.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a vehicle includes a warning device and a plurality of sensors that are arranged around the vehicle and that have sensing zones. Each of the sensors senses objects that are located in the sensing zone and generates sensor signals that are related to a distance between respective ones of the sensors and the objects in the sensing zones. Memory stores a plurality of profiles, which defines alarm limits for each of the sensors. A profile selection device allows selection one of the plurality of profiles from the memory. A vehicle collision avoidance controller communicates with the plurality of sensors and triggers the warning device when the sensor signal that is associated with one of the plurality of sensors exceeds a respective one of the limits in the selected profile.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a game device. In one aspect, a foosball game apparatus is provided. The foosball game apparatus includes a game body having a playing field, an endwall adjacent each end of the playing field, and a sidewall adjacent each side of the playing field. The foosball apparatus further includes an electronic digital display formed in each end wall for indicating a time period and a score. In another aspect, a method of playing a timed foosball game is provided.

Abstract: A method for creating and distributing recordings of events may include the steps of negotiating with an artist and a promoter or venue, obtaining rights to create and distribute copies of a recording of the event before the event occurs, pre-selling copies of the recording of the event, creating copies of the recording of the event, distributing copies of the recording of the event, and distributing revenue generated by distribution of the copies.

Abstract: A method for a client computer to find a network address of a server computer by searching for the network address using at a backup search procedure if the address of the server computer cannot be identified using a primary search procedure. The primary and backup search procedures can be performed in parallel and multiple backup search procedures can be performed to identify the address of the server computer. Alternatively, the primary and backup search procedures can be performed in serial wherein the backup search procedure is performed only when the primary search procedure does not identify the address of the server computer.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a vehicle includes a warning device and a plurality of sensors that are arranged around the vehicle and that have sensing zones. Each of the sensors senses objects that are located in the sensing zone and generates sensor signals that are related to a distance between respective ones of the sensors and the objects in the sensing zones. Memory stores a plurality of profiles, which defines alarm limits for each of the sensors. A profile selection device allows selection one of the plurality of profiles from the memory. A vehicle collision avoidance controller communicates with the plurality of sensors and triggers the warning device when the sensor signal that is associated with one of the plurality of sensors exceeds a respective one of the limits in the selected profile.