Abstract:
A method includes: receiving signals in a server from a first electronic mobile device of a consumer while the consumer is located within a retail store, the signals indicating performance of a self-checkout process by the user using the first mobile device; transmitting signals from the server to at least one of: a second electronic device of an employee of the store, alerting the employee that the user has performed the self-checkout process; or a point of sale (POS) system of the retail store indicating that the consumer has purchased an item by the self-checkout process.
Abstract:
A camera system is installed on the front end of a vehicle, either on the left front, the right front, or both sides. The camera is linked via wired or wireless connection to an onboard computer and a navigation display that is located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The driver reviews a visual description on the display of any oncoming traffic in the form of motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, animals and the like on the navigation display via a single screen, split screen or alternating screens. The camera system can include a speed sensor that detects when the vehicle reaches a threshold speed to activate or de-activate the camera. Alternatively, the computer can activate the system when a turn signal is activated, and de-activate the system when the turn signal is no longer activated. This camera system can be retrofitted into older vehicles.
Abstract:
Signals are received representing transactions made by a customer or domestic unit during a given period from a plurality of financial institutions. The transactions affect one or more accounts of the customer or domestic unit at each of the plurality of financial institutions. Data are stored representing the transactions in a machine readable storage medium. At least one benchmark is computed. The benchmark is in part based on a portion of the data corresponding to one or more of the accounts of the customer or domestic unit at a first one of the plurality of financial institutions and in part based on the data corresponding to all of the one or more accounts of the customer or domestic unit at all of the plurality of financial institutions. Data representing the benchmark are transmitted to the first financial institution.
Abstract:
A system comprises at least three microphones for generating audio signals representing a sound generated by a sound source, each microphone having a respective identifier (ID), a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured for: storing records in the memory to be referenced using indexes, the indexes based on a time stamp when the audio signals are generated and frequency components of the audio signals, each record containing the respective ID of one of the at least three microphones and a time when the sound is first detected by the microphone corresponding to the ID; matching indexes of records from the memory corresponding to the sound for each of the at least three microphones; and computing a location of the sound source based on the respective arrival times of the sound stored in the records having matching indices by synthetic aperture passive lateration
Abstract:
A fixation device comprises a first body having a threaded end, a longitudinal axis, and a bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second body is received in the bore. The second body has an exterior thread and an interior passage for receiving a pin or wire. The second body has a wire locking device for retaining the pin or wire. An advance nut engages the exterior thread. The advance nut abuts the first body for moving the wire locking device away from the first body when the advance nut is turned, for tensioning the pin or wire.
Abstract:
A method of controlling a motorized window treatment adjacent to a window or skylight comprises: measuring a light intensity at the window having the window treatment adjacent to the window or skylight; computing a first position of the window treatment based on the measured light intensity, that is expected to produce a predetermined interior illuminance at a predetermined position in a room containing the window or skylight; and automatically actuating the window treatment to the first position.
Abstract:
A method of reducing the amount of cooling energy required to heat and cool a building is provided. The method includes disposing a porous insulating material in the exterior walls and substantially covering the ceiling in the attic space of the building to a substantial depth. The porous insulating material includes a desiccant. The method further includes permitting the desiccant - bearing porous insulating material to adsorb water moisture from the attic space and then permitting the adsorbed water moisture to desorb from the desiccant - bearing porous insulating material into the enclosed room of the building, resulting in a reduction in the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for biometric authentication of a user during financial transactions are provided. In one aspect, a payment processor device comprising a biometric input sensor (106) configured to receive user biometric information; a biometric verification processor (218) configured to authenticate the input user biometric information; and a communication element (200) configured to activate when the biometric information entered into the biometric verification system is authenticated and maintain an inactive status for the communication element on the payment processor device when the biometric information entered into the biometric verification system is not authenticated, is provided.
Abstract:
A method for call conferencing is provided. An event is detected when a caller is unable to join an established conference call, because a maximum number of conference participants associated with a conference bridge used for the conference call are currently participating in the conference call. A first audio message is played to the conference participants in response to the detected event.