Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for provisioning resources for an application according to an application manifest. The resources may include database, network, and processing resources. The application manifest may be organized as a manifest tree with provisioned resources having their own application manifests for provisioning sub-resources. The application manifest may also define provisioning and de-provisioning of the application in response to loading of the application. Root cause analysis may be performed in accordance with the manifest tree. Also disclosed are systems and methods for rolling out an upgrade across a node cluster. Systems and methods are disclosed for routing traffic to different workflow paths in order to implement an overloaded path and evaluate performance of the overloaded path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Past queries are analyzed and grouped into clusters according to similarities with one another. For an individual query, relevant search results are identified and departments corresponding thereto are also identified. Confidence scores are determined for the identified departments and if one or more departments have confidence scores above a threshold, the search results are filtered based thereon. If not, then departments corresponding to a query cluster relevant to the query are selected. Additional departments may also be selected based on the number of search results corresponding to the additional departments. Search results filtered according to one or more selected departments are transmitted to an author of the query.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing data, such as for example security or other business data. For the example of security data, security data is received from a plurality of assets that may or may not be remotely located. A plurality of security metrics are computed and normalized according to thresholds. Security metrics are aggregated to generate an aggregate score, this may include weighting the metrics according to metric priorities. A change effort corresponding to each metric is also received and a corresponding change effort for the aggregate score is calculated. Aggregate scores and aggregate change efforts are analyzed to generate risk reduction recommendations. Upon instruction, metrics corresponding to an aggregate score may be displayed including recommendations of metrics for risk reduction. The recommended metrics may be selected according to analysis of change-to-effort ratios for the metrics.

Abstract: A system is provided that is adapted to process source code. In one implementation, and extended language precompiler is provided that processes source code according to user-definable parameters which permits a number of actions to be performed with respect to the code prior to compilation. In one example, the precompiler may insert, replace, analyze or substitute code within the original source code, and produce output source code that can be compiled by a compiler.

Abstract: A plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for corresponding items are read as a group to provide corresponding group information. This group information is used to determine whether at least some of the corresponding items are loose inventory. If desired, a confidence rating as corresponds to this determination can be determined and even displayed. These teachings can then provide for assigning a physical location within a given facility to each of at least some of these items based upon that determination. And again, if desired, a corresponding confidence rating can be determined and displayed as appropriate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reprinting a paper copy of a receipt at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. A customer may pair their mobile electronic device with a POS terminal in a store location. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be reprinted. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the POS terminal where a paper copy of the receipt is printed for the customer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, one or more shopping list signals from an electronic computing device to establish a shopping list of a plurality of items offered for sale in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, one or more signals from an augmented reality device worn by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, that an item from the shopping list has been placed in a shopping container from the one or more signals received from the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of modifying, with the processing device, the shopping list in response to said determining step.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of managing inventory includes receiving, at an antenna operatively coupled to a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, product identification information encoded in an RF signal transmitted by a plurality of RFID tags. Each of the RFID tags is associated with a respective one of a plurality of products. The method further includes processing, by a processor, the product identification information contained in a portion of the encoded RF signal to identify a characteristic associated with each of the products, and identifying, by the processor using the product identification information, one of the products having a characteristic different from another one of the products. The method may include identifying a majority of the products having a characteristic in common based on the product identification information, and identifying at least one of the products having a characteristic different from the majority.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for processing events in an event stream using a map-update application. The events may be embodied as a key-attribute pair. An event is processed by one or more instances implementing either a map or an update function. A map function receives an input event from the event stream and publishes one or more events to the event stream. An update function receives an event and updates a corresponding slate and publishes zero or more events. Systems and methods are also disclosed herein for implementing a map-update application in a multithreaded architecture and for handling overloading of a particular thread or node. Systems and methods for providing access to slates updated according to update operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems may be used for identifying an attribute and/or attribute value in a text string. In embodiments, the text string comprises a search query submitted by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure include identifying an attribute value from a search query by comparing the search query string to a list of known attribute values and comparing the candidate attribute value to a knowledge base to confirm that the string represents an attribute value rather than a non-attribute concept. In embodiments, a Bloom filter is employed to execute a relatively efficient comparison between a candidate attribute value and known non-attribute concepts.

Abstract: A system and method of determining the location of a RFID reader is disclosed. The system comprises a first RFID reader, and at least one other RFID reader, and a processor. The RFID readers associate unique RFID tag information with at least one antenna that reads the information. The processor receives RFID data from the first RFID reader and the at least one other RFID reader and determines the location of the first RFID reader relative to the at least one other RFID reader based on the association of unique RFID tag information with at least one antenna of at least two readers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a signal from a consumer transmitted through an augmented reality device worn by the consumer. The method also includes the step of confirming, with the processing device, the signal contains a query from the consumer. The method also includes the step of retrieving, with the processing device, a proposed answer to the query. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the proposed answer to the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of verifying, with the processing device, the proposed answer is accepted by the consumer. The method also includes the step of prompting, with the processing device, the consumer to resubmit the signal if the query is not confirmed in the confirming step or if the proposed answer is not accepted in the verifying step.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for converting a directed graph to a taxonomy using guidelines from a user. An initial tree is output from a first pruning step in which subtree preferences (and other weights) are applied to preserve or remove paths from a node to one or more levels of descendent nodes. Subtree preferences (and infoboxes) may specify rules for automatically generating recommendations during application to nodes. In a second pruning step, the directed graph is again processed with additional weightings applied to edges in the graph in accordance with the recommendations. The recommendations may be human defined. Recommendations may specify a recommended ancestor for a particular node and may include a weighting to be applied to the recommendation itself, if there are multiple conflicting recommendations for the same node. Recommendations may also specify what standard weight to apply to the edge of the best parent.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of processing alarms, including a processor receiving machine-readable alarm information having a plurality of formats from a plurality of facility monitoring systems. The processor converting the machine-readable alarm information into normalized machine-readable event information having a common format and being free of vendor-specific alarm information, the normalized event information representing an exception condition detected by at least one of the plurality of monitoring systems. The method further includes the providing by the processor via a user interface, user access to the normalized event information independently of the alarm information.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for returning to a user an answer to the question “what is <string>.” Concepts and classes to which the concepts belong are determined from a corpus, such as taxonomy. The concepts are mapped to categories according to the structure of the taxonomy. Homonyms for words are collected and scored according to likeliness of use. Concept vectors are assembled for the identified concepts based on articles in the corpus and social media usage. Words are evaluated for generic-ness and a generic score is associated therewith. In responding to a query, the generic-ness of the terms of the query is evaluated and additional context solicited if the terms are generic. Candidate homonym concepts for a string in the query are selected according to context vectors for the homonym concepts. One or more homonym concepts are selected and the one or more categories corresponding to these concepts are returned.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a help request signal from an augmented reality device worn by a current consumer shopping in a retail store. The method also includes the step of selecting, with the processing device, a sales assistant to help the current consumer. The method also includes the step of linking, with the processing device, the augmented reality device in communication with an electronic computing device operated by the sales assistant. The method also includes the step of receiving, at the processing device, a receipt signal containing a list of items purchased by the current consumer. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, if any item on the list of items was the subject of the help provided to the current consumer by the sales assistant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for embedding an image during a transaction at a point-of-sale system. The method may include obtaining a first digital image coded to display a call to action and a placeholder occupying a specific position with respect to the call to action. A computer system associated with the point-of-sale system may interpret the first digital image to collect data identifying the specific position of the placeholder. The computer system may obtain a two-dimensional barcode encoded with a transaction identification unique to the transaction. Using the collected data, the computer system may generate a third digital image coded to display the call to action and the two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode may occupy the specific position with respect to the call to action. The point-of-sale system may display the third digital image to a customer associated with the transaction via a receipt, a customer-facing screen, or the like.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process for a customer to scan items for purchase and proceed to a rapid checkout can be operated within a processor of a portable computerized device. The process includes monitoring a scan of an item to be purchased, the scan comprising an image captured by a camera device of the portable computerized device, commanding deactivation of the camera device after execution of the scan, monitoring an indication by a user of the portable computerized device that an item is to be scanned, and commanding activation of the camera device based upon the monitored activation.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a shopping agenda are disclosed. The techniques include receiving an electronic shopping list containing one or more items, each item indicating a product sold by a retailer. The techniques also include determining, at the processing device, a store location of the retailer, the store location indicating a store where the one or more products indicated by the one or more items are to be purchased. The techniques further include determining one or more product waypoints based on the one or more items in the electronic shopping list and the store map, each product waypoint of the one or more product waypoints respectively corresponding to one of the one or more items and being indicative of a product location of the product indicated by the item in the store. The techniques further include providing the one or more product waypoints for display.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically determining key words within item information with product types, and classifying new items within product types within a merchant's database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying software components stored on one or more virtual machines (VM). An installation directory is traversed and an ordered installation index of file paths and content identifiers are created for the files thereof. The installation index may be transmitted to a client that accesses artifact indexes for artifacts of software installed on the VMs. The artifact indexes include file paths and content identifiers for the fields of the artifact. Where all artifacts of a software package are found in the installation index, the package is deemed to be installed and a portal for accessing the VM may be updated to so indicate. The software packages found to be installed on a VM may be evaluated with respect to an application manifest to verify proper provisioning according to the manifest.

Abstract: A control circuit accesses information regarding both scanned optical product codes as correspond to items being purchased in a given transaction as well as read electronic product codes as correspond to items being purchased in that same transaction. The control circuit then compares that information to identify discrepancies. An example of a discrepancy of likely interest includes noting items for which there is a read electronic product code but not a corresponding scanned optical product code and vice versa.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for protecting data in an electronic communications environment. An interested entity establishes one or more controls for a received unit of data. At a source device in the electronic communications network, the unit of data is encapsulated with self-protection security data that includes the one or more controls. The encapsulated unit of data is delivered from the source device to a destination device in the electronic communications network. A data broker facilitates the delivery of the data to the destination device according to the controls. Facilitating the delivery of the data includes: identifying for the receiving device a collection of services corresponding to the controls independently of the network.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for approximating alternate currency equivalents in digital receipts. In response to a user request, item prices in one currency in a digital receipts (e.g., for retail sales transactions) can be approximated in a second different currency. Digital receipts with approximated item prices can be presented on a display at a mobile device. Currency conversion can be handled at a receipt data server or at the mobile device. Currency conversion can be performed locally or can be referred to a conversion server. Item prices in digital receipts can be converted from and/or to any of a variety of different currencies.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a monitoring server, a theft detection signal from a first augmented reality device worn by a first employee of a retail store. The method also includes the step of linking, with the processing device, the first augmented reality device in communication with an electronic computing device operated by a second employee in response to said step of receiving the theft detection signal. The second employee can assist the first employee in assessing whether a theft is occurring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-restarting abnormally terminated processes are disclosed. An auto-restart system can include a parent task control block, a child process, and a shared resource. The parent task control block can spawn the child process. The child process can operate on the shared resource. When the child process finds the shared resource locked, the child process can terminate abnormally. The parent task control block can recognize the abnormal termination of the child process, and can automatically rollback and restart the child process. Accordingly, the child process can be restarted to operate on the shared resource without human intervention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for inferring interests of a user based on declared interests of the user. Text for which a user has expressed interest, e.g. “liked” is evaluated to identify at least one principal concept. A principal article for the principal concept is located in a taxonomy and the link structure of the taxonomy analyzed to identify candidate articles related to the principal article. The candidate articles are scored according to a plurality of metrics and these scored are weighted and combined for a final score. Candidate articles are selected for the score and recommendations are generated and recommendations generated based on the concepts of the selected candidate articles.

Abstract: Websites, including supporting databases, are updated with little or no downtime. In one aspect, a database is replicated prior to updating, so that updates can be performed on one copy while the other remains operational. In another aspect, the data remains in one location while an application programming interface for interacting with the data using new software code is introduced. Another application programming interface remains operational while the update is taking place. Public and private synonyms are used to direct web traffic to the appropriate application programming interface during the update process.

Abstract: A method for associating a computing device of a customer with a layaway transaction corresponding to the customer is disclosed. The method may begin with a computer system initiating a layaway transaction with a customer. The computer system may then issue a receipt documenting the layaway transaction and comprising a machine readable code. The customer may use a computing device (e.g., mobile telephone) in his or her possession to scan the machine readable code. Accordingly, the computer system may receive, from the computing device, data extracted by the computing device from the machine readable code. The computer system, in response to the receiving, may link the computing device with the layaway transaction. The computer system may then serve an electronic receipt to the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing data, such as for example security or other business data. For the example of security data, security data is received from a plurality of assets that may or may not be remotely located. A plurality of security metrics are computed and normalized according to thresholds. Security metrics are aggregated to generate an aggregate score, this may include weighting the metrics according to metric priorities. A change effort corresponding to each metric is also received and a corresponding change effort for the aggregate score is calculated. Aggregate scores and aggregate change efforts are analyzed to generate risk reduction recommendations. Upon instruction, metrics corresponding to an aggregate score may be displayed including recommendations of metrics for risk reduction. The recommended metrics may be selected according to analysis of change-to-effort ratios for the metrics.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to electronic order processing of items in an electronic commerce environment. A geographic boundary associated with a physical location of a retail entity can be implemented using, for example, a geo-fence. An order for an item from the retail location can be received by a customer and a notification prioritizing processing of the order can be generated based on a location of the user relative to the geographic boundary.

Abstract: A checkout station includes a scale fixedly attached to a framework of the checkout station and a track, surrounding the scale, through which a display moves between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, at least a video signal from a head mountable unit worn by a consumer in a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, an indication of depleted stock in the retail store in response to the video signal received from the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a restock signal in response to the identifying step.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Products records have facet groups associated therewith and facet groups have probabilities associated therewith indicating the usefulness of the facet group as a way of organizing or filtering search results. For a query, relevant product records are identified. For facet groups present among the relevant product records entropy values are calculated based on a distribution of values for the attribute defining the facet group. The entropy value increases as the distribution of values becomes more uniform. The facet group probability and entropy value are combined to assign a score to the facet groups. The facet groups are ranked and selected according to the score and search results are presented with indicators of the facet groups to enable a user to manage the search results.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining a route a consumer takes while traversing a retail store are disclosed. The embodiments include determining a store location of a retail store and a map corresponding to the layout of the retail store, receiving waypoint data including a plurality of positions within the map corresponding timestamps, determining a route in response to the waypoint data, and providing the route and the map for display.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a specific location in a brick and mortar retail store from which an item purchased by a customer in the store was likely obtained, so as to enable maintenance of inventory at the location level within the store is provided. The system includes a central database in which information regarding product inventory for a brick and mortar store location is maintained, a point of sale client capable of obtaining a product identifier from items being purchased by a customer, and a product location mechanism that utilizes the product identifier obtained by the point of sale client for the items being purchased by the customer, and other information from the point of sale client and/or from within the database to determine the most likely location from which an item was obtained by the customer and decrement the inventory unit amount stored in the database for the location by the number of such items purchased.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for providing product information to an individual, the method comprising receiving, at a router, a single request for information, the request associated with at least one product, transmitting, by the router, the single request for information to each one of a plurality of store servers, receiving, by the router from the plurality of store servers, a plurality of responses, each one of the plurality of responses including information associated with the at least one product, compiling the plurality of responses into a single request, and transmitting the single request to the individual.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a data replicator comprising a system exit configured to capture data received at a source, a configuration control system configured to receive captured data from the system exit and modify the captured data to include sequence information, a message broker configured to receive the modified data from the configuration control system and to convert the modified data to a format of a destination, and a sequence engine configured to receive the converted and modified data from the message broker in a first sequence, to re-sequence, based on the sequence information, the converted and modified data in the first sequence into a second sequence, where the second sequence corresponds to the chronological order in which the data was captured by the system exit, and to forward the converted and modified data to the destination database in the second sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for processing events in an event stream using a map-update application. The events may be embodied as a key-attribute pair. An event is processed by one or more instances implementing either a map or an update function. A map function receives an input event from the event stream and publishes one or more events to the event stream. An update function receives an event and updates a corresponding slate and publishes zero or more events. Systems and methods are also disclosed herein for implementing a map-update application in a multithreaded architecture and for handling overloading of a particular thread or node. Systems and methods for providing access to slates updated according to update operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Selectively delivering an article is disclosed. A user preference is received. A document is also received. An entity pair comprising a concept included in a concept taxonomy and a textual representation included in the document is determined. The document is categorized based at least in part on the concept. A user associated with the user preference is selectively notified of the document.

Abstract: A tri-optic scanner for checking out merchandise at stores includes first and second barcode scanners, and a third barcode scanner placed back-to-back to the second barcode scanner to face an opposite direction of the second barcode scanner. The tri-optic scanner is designed to allow the third barcode scanner to conveniently capture barcodes presented by a customer without a cashier touching barcode carriers that belong to the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for provisioning resources for an application according to an application manifest. The resources may include database, network, and processing resources. The application manifest may be organized as a manifest tree with provisioned resources having their own application manifests for provisioning sub-resources. The application manifest may also define provisioning and de-provisioning of the application in response to loading of the application. Root cause analysis may be performed in accordance with the manifest tree. Also disclosed are systems and methods for rolling out an upgrade across a node cluster. Systems and methods are disclosed for routing traffic to different workflow paths in order to implement an overloaded path and evaluate performance of the overloaded path.

Abstract: Delivering a page that includes a plurality of modules is disclosed. A query is received. Subject type concepts associated with the query are determined. Candidate modules that correspond to the associated concepts are found. A plurality of modules is selected from the candidate modules to be delivered on a page.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for searching digital receipts at a mobile device. A customer mobile device receives and stores one or more digital receipts. The one or more digital receipts correspond to transactions conducted with a merchant. A user can select search criteria for searching stored digital receipts. The search criteria can be applied to stored digital receipts. Any stored digital receipts that satisfy the search criteria can be returned for display. In some embodiments, search criteria are selected to search for digital receipts associated with a specified payment method, such as, for example, cash, check, credit card, debit card, gift card, etc. In other embodiments, search criteria are selected to search for digital receipts having a purchase date within a specified purchase date range.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a customer's progress through a checkout line at a store and for correlating customer satisfaction thereto. A mobile electronic device with mobile self checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer's progress through the checkout line. The software may provide detailed data about the shopping and checkout experience. This information may be correlated to customer satisfaction and used identify particular strengths and weaknesses in the shopping experience offered by a store.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for performing classification of documents or performing other tasks based on rules. A rule generator receives a request for a rule that will receive as an input a document and output an outcome such as a classification of the document, addition of the document to a whitelist or blacklist, or occurrence of some other outcome. The rules are applied to a document and the document and outcome of the rules are presented to a rater. A rating of the accuracy of the outcome is received from the rater and the rating is propagated to quality metrics of rules that contributed to the outcome. Rules with a quality metric above a threshold may be added to a production rule set. Rules with a quality metric below a threshold may be removed.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to performing an operation in a computing environment that is prohibited by a security application governing the computing environment. Exemplary embodiments can generate a security bypass environment in a computing environment governed by the security application to provide a bypass to the security application. In exemplary embodiments, a request to perform the operation can be received via the security bypass environment and the operation can be performed through the security bypass environment in response to satisfaction of access control criteria specified for the security bypass environment so that the performance of the operation bypasses the security application.