Abstract: A distributed system that includes a merchant application, a buyer application and a seller or drummer application. The applications reside and run on personal computing devices and operate together to allow a merchant to create an offer, drummers to select, present and share the offer with buyers, and buyers to receive and save the offers in anticipation of a conversion. Upon a conversion, revenue derived from the transaction is provided to the merchant but, some of revenue is shared with one or more drummers involved in pushing the offer.

Abstract: A distributed system that includes a merchant application, a buyer application and a seller or drummer application. The applications reside and run on personal computing devices and operate together to allow a merchant to create an offer, drummers to select, present and share the offer with buyers, and buyers to receive and save the offers in anticipation of a conversion. Upon a conversion, revenue derived from the transaction is provided to the merchant but, some of revenue is shared with one or more drummers involved in pushing the offer.

Abstract: Disclosed is e-commerce processing for an event-centric online shopping transaction. The e-commerce processing involves receiving an identification or selection of an event from a device of a customer, and the disclosed methods and systems use the identified and/or selected event to populate, without item-related input from the customer, an online shopping cart with items for purchase in an e-commerce computing environment. The e-commerce processing can be accomplished without any party to the transaction having to add items to the online shopping cart on an item-by-item basis.

Abstract: An eyewear assembly is provided. The eyewear assembly includes a continuous lens part having a curved shape that extends from a first end to a second end. The eyewear assembly further includes a pair of temple retention arms hingably coupled to the continuous lens part. Each of the pair of temple retention arms is configured to pivot between a closed position and an opened position, and each of the pair of temple retention arms is configured to contact a temple of a user to retain the eyewear assembly on the user.

Abstract: A distributed system that includes a merchant application, a buyer application and a seller or drummer application. The applications reside and run on personal computing devices and operate together to allow a merchant to create an offer, drummers to select, present and share the offer with buyers, and buyers to receive and save the offers in anticipation of a conversion. Upon a conversion, revenue derived from the transaction is provided to the merchant but, some of revenue is shared with one or more drummers involved in pushing the offer.

Abstract: A method and system are described for managing sales promotions and transaction settlements. An exemplary method comprises establishing a merchant account and establishing a drummer account, generating a promotional offer content (e.g., a “deal”) in association with the merchant account, associating one or more presentment triggers with the promotional offer content, and publishing the promotional offer content such that it is associated with the drummer account. The exemplary method further comprises receiving indication of a selection of the published promotional offer content, generating a unique ID that associates the selected promotional offer content with the drummer account, and transmitting the unique ID to the drummer device. The exemplary method further comprises recognizing activation a presentment trigger and sending an alert to a drummer device.

Abstract: A distributed system that includes a merchant application, a buyer application, a seller or drummer application and defines the compensation structure for each deal. The applications reside and run on personal computing devices and operate together to allow a merchant to create an offer, drummers to select, present and share the offer with buyers, and buyers to receive and save the offers in anticipation of a conversion. Upon a conversion, revenue derived from the transaction is provided to the merchant but, some of revenue is shared with one or more drummers involved in pushing the offer.

Abstract: A method and system are described for promoting sales offers through a dynamic, on-demand sales force. Merchants may generate and publish promotional offers (“deals”) that include commissions. A salesperson (“drummer”) may select a deal for promotion to potential buyers. A unique QR code associating the selected deal with the drummer is created. The QR code may be shared by the drummer with an interested buyer for the goods or services associated with the deal. To redeem the deal, the buyer presents the shared QR code to the merchant. The merchant, in turn, applies the deal terms to a purchase transaction and, based on the QR code, a commission is debited from a merchant account and credited to a drummer account. Certain embodiments leverage presentment triggers to alert the drummer to previously selected deals which may be relevant and timely for presentment to a buyer.

Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open.

Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method of use are provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.

Abstract: A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method of use are provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.

Abstract: A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open.

Abstract: A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.

Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.