International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

International Business Corporation

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation

Robert Thomas Cato

Phuc Ky Do

Richard Hunter Harris

Thomas John Sluchak

Eugene Michael Maximilien

Eric C Broockman

Kerry Alan Ortega

Thomas Guthrie Zimmerman

Jeff David Thomas

Timothy Wayne Crockett

Justin Monroe Pierce

LeRoy D Dickson

Charles Ray Kirk

George J Laurer

Ronald Einar Bjorklund

David Frederick Bantz

James M White

Chia-Chi Huang

Olen L Stokes

Robert C Lynch

Roger Kenneth Abrams

Robert Scott Fortenberry

Hollis P Posey

David R Hughes

Wayne Roger Hucaby

Susan Ann Luerich

Kumar Basalingappa Kori

Thanh Gia Ngo

Carl J Moreschi

Timothy W Crocket

William D Gregory, Jr

The illustrative embodiments provide a magnetic reader assembly, a magnetic reader subassembly, a computer implemented method, and a computer program product for diagnosing a magnetic reader subassembly. A processor generates a test signal during a diagnostic period. The processor then receives a return signal from the magnetic reader subassembly. The processor then compares the test signal and the return signal and diagnoses an operational status of the magnetic reader subassembly in response to the comparison of the test signal and the return signal.

Diagnosing a magnetic reader

A computer implemented method for diagnosing a magnetic reader subassembly. A processor generates a test signal during a diagnostic period. The processor then receives a return signal from the magnetic reader subassembly. The processor then compares the test signal and the return signal and diagnoses an operational status of the magnetic reader subassembly in response to the comparison of the test signal and the return signal.

An accelerometer module for use with a touch sensor on a device, a method of detecting acceleration using a touch sensor, and a computer program product for receiving the touch sensor data and producing output representative of acceleration. The accelerometer module provides a device with a touch sensor, such as a mobile phone, with the ability to sense acceleration, orientation, or both. The accelerometer module may sense acceleration along a single axis or multiple axis. Sensing acceleration along three axis may be useful for producing a handheld game controller or for providing input to many other applications. The accelerometer module applies a force against a deformable member to change the contact area between the deformable member and the touch sensor, wherein the contact area is a function of the amount of applied acceleration.

Accelerometer module for use with a touch sensitive device

A method for improving position beacon tracking using spatial probabilities is provided. A beacon identity recognition device receives a central probability file from a remote data processing system to form a local probability file. The device receives a current position beacon identity. The device compares current position beacon identity to a previous beacon identity stored in the local probability file to form a comparison. The device determines if the current position beacon identity is valid based on the comparison. The device transmits a valid position beacon identity to the remote data processing system. The device updates the local probability file and then combines a weighted version of the local probability file with a new copy of the probability file from the remote data processing system to form a combined probability file. The combined probability file is then sent to the remote data processing system and replaces the existing probability file.

Use of peer maintained file to improve beacon position tracking utilizing spatial probabilities

A method and apparatus are provided for stamping a piece of ePaper. A grid is positioned within a selected distance to a first side of the piece of ePaper. A grounding pin conductively connects a conductive backing plate located on a second side of the piece of ePaper. The grounding pin completes a voltage path from the grid through the piece of ePaper to the conductive backing plate. A voltage is supplied to the grid and supplying the voltage to the grid changes the appearance of the piece of ePaper to form a stamped image.

ePaper stamp

Processing purchasing items is provided. A broadcast television signal is received at a television system. The broadcast television signal contains data indicating that an item in the broadcast television signal is being offered for sale. A visual cue is presented in association with the item being presented in the television system in response to receiving the data. In response to receiving a user input to purchase the item, a purchase request process is sent to a seller of the item to purchase the item using personal information needed to purchase the item stored in the television system.

Purchasing items in a program

System and method for monitoring inventory. Inventory items are positioned between a camera and a surface having an optically identifiable and distinct characteristic. The camera obtains an image of the inventory items present, any exposed portion of the surface, or both. The amount of the exposed surface is used to determine an amount of the inventory items that are present or missing. Furthermore, the optically identifiable characteristic may be a uniform characteristic, such as color or texture, or a set of discrete elements, such as stickers, barcodes, structural features of the shelf, a pattern of lines or shapes, or combinations thereof. Optionally, the optically identifiable characteristic is unique to the location of the shelf associated with the inventory items. Inventory or non-inventory items incorrectly positioned over the exposed surface may be excluded from the amount of the expected inventory item being determined if the item does not match the visual attributes of the expected inventory item. The camera may be fixed or movable and preferably provides digital images to a computer system having a computer readable medium with program products for analyzing the image and providing inventory reports.

Using cameras to monitor actual inventory

A method for controlling a display device, such as, for example, the display device mounted on a shopping cart, the shopping cart having a wheeled base and a basket portion in connection with the wheeled base and a handle in connection with the wheeled base, the method comprising: allowing a user to enter information at and obtain information from the display device; and providing a locking mechanism located on or implemented within the device for permitting the user to activate or deactivate the display device in order to prevent unauthorized access.

Child lock for electronic device

The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for testing a radio frequency identification reader. The radio frequency identification reader transmits a test signal to a diagnostic tag during a diagnostic period. Responsive to receiving a return signal from the diagnostic tag, the radio frequency identification reader compares the return signal with an expected return signal to form a comparison. The radio frequency identification reader identifies an operational status for the radio frequency identification reader using the comparison.

Diagnosing a radio frequency identification reader

The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer program product for obtaining the location of, for example, a mobile device. An image of a target in a defined space is obtained, the target encoding data from which its location in the defined space may be determined. The position of a reference point in the image which represents the location of, for example, a mobile device, is determined relative to the target. The location of the mobile device in the defined paces is then determined by combining the location of the target in the defined space with an appropriately scaled version of the relative position of the reference point to the target in the image.

Mobile device tracking

A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold.

Sensing a paper roll ultrasonically

Apparatus is provided to limit the current drawn from a power supply output connected to furnish power to a docking station or electronic device, when a fault connects the output to ground or other docking connection. The power supply is disconnected when such fault is present during power-up. In one embodiment, the apparatus controllably limits current delivered to a docking station and a mobile device connected thereto. The apparatus includes a switch device located along a current path extending between the power supply and docking station, to regulate current flow. A current limiting entity operates the switch device to prevent current flow, when the fault affects the circuit, and current through the path exceeds a pre-specified threshold level. The pre-specified current threshold level can be less than the current level provided to the docking station and mobile device without said fault. A disabling component de-activates the current limiting entity, when current is flowing to the charging station but the current is unaffected by the fault.

Apparatus for providing fault protection in a circuit supplying power to an electronic device

A fault detector apparatus for a printer having a first print head and a second print head with a plurality of print head elements in each print head is disclosed. The apparatus includes a test circuit in signal communication with all the print heads to test the plurality of print head elements. The test circuit includes a test power supply for generating a test voltage, a first resistor, a second resistor, and an analog to digital converter in signal communication with the second resistor. The first resistor is in series connection between the test power supply and the plurality of elements in the first print head. The second resistor in series connection with the test power supply, the first resistor, and the plurality of elements in the second print head. The fault detector apparatus will also work for a printer with only one print head.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Robert Thomas Cato