Abstract: A point of delivery retail kiosk system for vending products includes a plurality of lockers, at least one kiosk, and a controller. Each of the plurality of lockers containing a product therein. The at least one kiosk includes a user interface and a scanner configured to scan at least one code. The controller is in communication with each of the plurality of lockers and the at least one kiosk.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating, controlling, and directing a lift cord or lift chain of an architectural opening includes a body structure having first and second upper openings that are separated by an upper medial guide member that protrudes beyond the upper openings A rotatable wheel within a cavity of the body structure is configured to engage a lift cord or lift chain provided as a loop, wherein such engagement allows free passage of first and second segments of the loop through the cavity in opposing directions, while preventing free passage of the first and second segments through the cavity in the same direction. The apparatus may be coupled to a top end of a cord channel enclosure having a slider moveably engaged thereto to actuate the lift cord or lift chain, with a fixed length loop portion of lift cord or lift chain extending upward from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating, controlling, and directing a lift cord or lift chain of an architectural opening includes a body structure having first and second upper openings that are separated by an upper medial guide member that protrudes beyond the upper openings A rotatable wheel within a cavity of the body structure is configured to engage a lift cord or lift chain provided as a loop, wherein such engagement allows free passage of first and second segments of the loop through the cavity in opposing directions, while preventing free passage of the first and second segments through the cavity in the same direction. The apparatus may be coupled to a top end of a cord channel enclosure having a slider moveably engaged thereto to actuate the lift cord or lift chain, with a fixed length loop portion of lift cord or lift chain extending upward from the apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for managing and interacting with a conversational agent in an internet of things (IoT) environment by a processor. One or more graph patterns may be extracted from a knowledge graph generated from a sensor list containing one or more IoT sensors. One or more conversation patterns and conversation dialogs may be learned from the sensor list and graph patterns. The conversational agent may be automatically configured with the one or more graph patterns, the one or more conversational patterns and conversation dialogs, sensor data and analytics from the one or more IoT sensors according to one or more queries to engage in a conversation dialog with a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for managing and interacting with a conversational agent in an internet of things (IoT) environment by a processor. One or more graph patterns may be extracted from a knowledge graph generated from a sensor list containing one or more IoT sensors. One or more conversation patterns and conversation dialogs may be learned from the sensor list and graph patterns. The conversational agent may be automatically configured with the one or more graph patterns, the one or more conversational patterns and conversation dialogs, sensor data and analytics from the one or more IoT sensors according to one or more queries to engage in a conversation dialog with a user.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for selectively locking a lift cord designed to lift coverings for architectural openings is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a selective locking member and a base member positioned at a bottom of an architectural opening covering. The base member and the selective locking member each have an opening through which a lift cord may pass. The selective locking member also has at least one edge configured to mate to a bottom of a groove in the base member. The selective locking member is configured to selectively engage the base member and the lift cord such that the selective locking member can be selectably moved between an open position, where the lift cord can be freely moved, and a closed position, wherein the selective locking member will pinch the lift cord between itself and the base member and prevent the lift cord from being moved.

Abstract: One form of the present invention contemplates a unique system for creating a customized bank card by a consumer/user based on instructions from a remote terminal. Other forms of the present invention contemplate unique apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, software, methods, and combinations of these for creating customized bank cards.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: An interconnection network comprising a plurality of nodes arranged in a ring topology, wherein the nodes comprise a first node and a second node, and wherein the first node is not adjacent to the second node, a plurality of base links coupled to the nodes and configured to interconnect adjacent nodes to provide point-to-point communications between the adjacent nodes, and a first shortcut coupled to the first node and the second node, wherein the first shortcut is configured to provide a point-to-point communication between the first node and the second node, wherein the first node and the second node comprise gray code encoded addresses that are differed by 1-bit at a particular bit position, and wherein the gray code encoded addresses are node addresses of the first node and the second node encoded by a gray code algorithm that provides a 1-bit difference between successive integer values in a binary format.

Abstract: A hierarchical ring network comprising a plurality of nodes coupled in a base ring configuration such that each node is coupled to two adjacent nodes via base links, wherein the nodes are further coupled via a first level binary shortcut ring such that alternating nodes along the base ring act as first level nodes, and wherein each first level node is coupled to two nearest adjacent first level nodes via the first level binary shortcut ring.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chip comprising a plurality of nodes, a first plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes in a first ring network having a first topology, and a second plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes in a second ring network having a second topology, wherein the first topology is different than the second topology.

Abstract: A method for address translation in a memory comprising a plurality of memory streaming units (MSUs), wherein n represents the number of MSUs and n is not a power of two, and wherein the memory further comprises a striped region, the method comprising determining an MSU from among the plurality of MSUs having a physical address (PA) in the striped region corresponding to a logical address (LA) comprising performing a modulo n operation on less than all the bits representing the LA; and transmitting the LA to the MSU.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to computer devices and/or apparatus (e.g., computer tablets, mobile computers, smart mobile phones, other mobile computing devices, etc.). More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to the use of methods, programs, and systems for branding computer devices and/or apparatus (e.g., computer tablets, mobile computers, smart mobile phones, other mobile computing devices, etc.) to connect customers and an enterprise (e.g., retailer, non-profit, university, etc.).

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating one or more lift cords used to lift an architectural opening covering comprises a base portion and a front portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the base portion. The base portion has an opening configured to receive a rod that rotates in a first direction when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering. The apparatus also comprises an outer surface having a plurality of grooves configured to receive at least one of the one or more lift cords when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering and to allow the at least one of the one or more lift cords to accumulate on one or more of the plurality of grooves next to itself rather than on top of itself.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chip comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein a first node from among the plurality of nodes is configured to receive a first flit comprising a first timestamp, receive a second flit comprising a second timestamp, determine whether the first flit is older than the second flit based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp, transmit the first flit before the second flit if the first flit is older than the second flit, and transmit the second flit before the first flit if the first flit is not older than the second flit.

Abstract: A dog harness comprising three flexible adjustable straps secured at a common midpoint, two adjustable flexible straps extending outwardly and under the forelegs of the dog and removably secured to a D-ring secured to the front of the collar of the dog underneath the dogs head, the third flexible adjustable strap having a D-ring secured to the end thereto for removable receipt of a leash, the harness controlling the pace and direction of the dog and also allowing the owner to control the head positioning of the dog without effecting a strain or choke to the dog's neck.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.