Provided is an in-store dual-mode communication system in which shelves are disposed within a commercial space. A server is coupled to the Internet and/or a wide-area network and is configured to send and receive communications. Also provided are light-based messaging units that are located on and/or attached to such shelves, each: 1) having a light source, 2) receiving a communication from the server, and 3) in response to receipt of such communication, turning the light source on and off so as to broadcast a digital message that was included within such communication, as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the light source. A user device: (i) receives, via its light sensor, and then decodes the binary-encoded digital signal from a light-based messaging unit in order to obtain the digital message that corresponds to it; and also (ii) communicates with the server via its wireless interface.

Provided is an in-store dual-mode communication system in which shelves are disposed within a commercial space. A server is coupled to the Internet and/or a wide-area network and is configured to send and receive communications. Also provided are light-based messaging units that are located on and/or attached to such shelves, each: 1) having a light source, 2) receiving a communication from the server, and 3) in response to receipt of such communication, turning the light source on and off so as to broadcast a digital message that was included within such communication, as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the light source. A user device: (i) receives, via its light sensor, and then decodes the binary-encoded digital signal from a light-based messaging unit in order to obtain the digital message that corresponds to it; and also (ii) communicates with the server via its wireless interface.

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for providing remote location-based customer service for in-store customers. One such system includes: (a) a central server; (b) wireless transceivers coupled to the central server at different locations within each of multiple different retail shopping sites; and (c) handheld wireless devices, carried by customers at such retail shopping sites and in wireless communication with such wireless transceivers. Each of the handheld wireless devices is configured with a user interface that allows a customer to designate a user-interface element to request a customer-service session. Upon designation of the user-interface element on one of such handheld wireless devices, the request is forwarded to the central server. The central server establishes a two-way real-time communication link between the handheld wireless device and a customer-service representative.

The systems and methods provided herein use a rolling voice identifier in a multi-factor authentication system to avoid the security problems present in prior voice activated control systems. By implementing a rolling voice identifier in an access control platform, users may no longer need to be concerned with being overheard or recorded when providing voice authentication commands to an access control platform because the rolling voice identifier that the user will be prompted to speak will be specific to the particular instance of control of an access control platform. An access control platform is a platform that controls operation of a movable barrier by, for example, controlling the state of a movable barrier using a remote control. An access control platform may cause a movable barrier to become opened, closed, locked, or unlocked to permit or prevent access to a physical space by a physical object.

Binary data relating to a movable barrier operator is converted to ternary data. The ternary data is converted into corresponding binary information in a way not mirroring the first conversion method. In one approach, this second conversion converts each ternary trit into a corresponding binary pair. Initial binary bits correspond to, for example, fixed and/or non-fixed information.

An encrypted rolling code (11), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (13), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns 14) are provided. One then selects (15) a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting (16) at least part of the encrypted rolling code.

A credential assigning system is provided for deployment with respect to a structure in which an appliance is disposed and in which an access restricting element is disposed to prevent access to the appliance. The credential assigning system includes a credentialing service configured to issue a credential to a user upon a request for the credential being received thereby and a monitoring unit. The credential is usable by the user in causing the access restricting element to permit access to the appliance for the user. The monitoring unit is configured to receive a fault raised by the appliance and to transmit the request for the credential to the credentialing service in accordance with the fault.

A controller for a door operator including a processor, a first actuator, and a transmitter, and associated method. The method may include inverting bit positions of a rolling code, dividing the inverted code by a predetermined number, converting the divided inverted code to base 9 coefficients, and substituting an output nibble for each base 9 coefficient in the divided converted code. The transmitter may be configured to transmit the substituted output nibble responsive to actuation of the first actuator.

A pharmaceutical transport system may include a pneumatic tube network and a pharmaceutical transport container movable within the pneumatic tube network. The pharmaceutical transport container may include a tubular container having open and closed positions for receiving at least one pharmaceutical therein, and an electronic lock securing the tubular container in the closed position and opening based upon a match between an entered digital code and a current changing digital code.

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling unlocking a door of an automobile includes a fob key having a door unlock input unit manipulated by a user and transmitting a door unlock signal, and a controller provided in an automobile and configured to unlock the door of the automobile when a first door unlock signal is received before the preset period of time elapses or when a second door unlock signal is received after the preset period of time elapses, whereby a door of the automobile is not allowed to be unlocked in the case where a hacking tool intercepts the door unlock signal from the fob key and transmits the same to the controller of the automobile after the preset period of time elapses.