Abstract: A delivered-package vault has a selectively-lockable access portal that is configured to contain at least one package, which package has at least one recipient-specific requirement associated therewith. The delivered-package vault also includes a two-way communications interface configured to communicate with a remote source having that at least one recipient-specific requirement and further includes a control circuit that operably couples to the two-way communications interface and the selectively-lockable access portal. The control circuit is configured to communicate with the remote source regarding the at least one recipient-specific requirement for the at least one package that is presently in the delivered-package vault and to unlock the selectively-lockable access portal to thereby provide access to the at least one package by a recipient who meets the at least one recipient-specific requirement.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of locating overstock items at a retail sales facility include receiving data when a worker of the retail sales facility scans a product case containing a product using an inventory management electronic device including a processor; obtaining at least one inventory management factor associated with the product; estimating whether the product is to be picked by the worker from a storage bin at a stock room location while packed in the product case or after being removed from the product case; and outputting, based on the estimating step, an indication to the worker either that the product is to be picked from the storage bin without being removed from the product case, or that that the product is to be picked from the storage bin after being removed from the product case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bagging station support frame that includes a bagging station holder and a rail coupler coupled to the bagging station holder. The bagging station holder holds a bagging station. A bagging station holds a plurality of shopping bags ready to receive products purchased by a customer. The rail coupler couples the bagging station support frame to a rail. Rails are common fixtures throughout retail stores. The bagging station support frame can be coupled to a rail at various locations throughout the retail store. A bagging station coupled to the bagging station support frame will be available for customers to bag their purchases wherever the bagging station support frame with bagging station is mounted. By mounting bagging station support frames with bagging stations throughout the retail store, customers can easily bag their purchases as they shop, without having to find a checkout counter to obtain shopping bags.

Abstract: A system for monitoring consumer activity on a website is described herein. The system includes a memory device and an activity sessionization server. The memory device is configured to store a webpage list including a plurality of webpage records and an activity session list including a plurality of activity session records. Each of the activity session records including a webpage URL and a session ID. The activity sessionization server retrieves a webpage record from the webpage list, determines if the retrieved webpage record includes a referral URL, identifies a matching activity session record that includes a corresponding webpage URL that matches the referral URL of the retrieved webpage record, determines a corresponding session ID associated with the matching activity session record, and associates the corresponding session ID with the current activity session record.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided using RFID devices to assist in determining a likelihood that the performance of a task has been completed. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and a control circuit operably coupled to the RFID reader. The control circuit is configured to: detect, using at least information received via the RFID reader regarding a reading of one or more RFID tags by the RFID reader, one or more circumstances that evidence a status of interest pertaining to performance of a task of interest; and make a determination that the performance of the task of interest has likely been completed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of managing products at a retail sales facility include scanning a product in a stocking cart at the retail sales facility using a hand-held electronic device including a processor. At least two of the following three functions may be performed based on the scanning of the product. First, the stocking cart may be audited by comparing scanned data to data contained in an inventory management database. Second, a determination of whether the item is on a pick list may be made, which may include determining a demand for the scanned product to arrive at a decision whether to store the product in the stock room or place it on a shelf on the sales floor. Third, if the item is to be stored in the stock room, a determination of whether identical items are stored in bins in the stock room may be made.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing an electronic receipt for a vending machine transaction. Upon conclusion of a vending machine transaction a screen on the vending machine displays an optically encoded electronic receipt. The optically encoded electronic receipt may encode a transaction identifier and may additionally encode details of the transaction. The vending machine may also transmit transaction data to a server. A user computing device may scan the optically encoded electronic receipt and retrieve a transaction identifier. Using the transaction identifier, the user computing device may request transaction data from the server either directly or by way of a server owned or controlled by a different entity. Additional content, such as advertisements may be transmitted with or for display with transaction data.

Abstract: Systems and methods can include one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform acts. The acts an include creating a bonded network interface on a host server, the where host server can include a plurality of internet protocol (IP) addresses. The acts also can include binding a first database instance container to a first IP address of the plurality of IP addresses of the host server such that a first database deployed inside the first database instance container has direct access to the host server. Systems and methods also can include deploying a first database instance container of a first cluster at a first host server and deploying a second database instance container of a second cluster at the first host server. Other embodiments also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Techniques for comparing customer records to identify linked customer records are provided. The techniques may include a computer system identifying a target group of electronic customer records which have data pertaining to a customer, receiving a hierarchical blocker, and analyzing a customer record against the hierarchical blocker and extracting one or more data values from data fields identified by the hierarchical blocker. The computer system may create block keys from the extracted data values, associate the block keys with the customer record, create a block key group of customer records which are associated with a particular block key, and compare pairs of records from the block key group to identify records which are likely to be linked records because they pertain to a single customer entity.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing retailer controllable access to consolidated inventory management services through a retail worker's personal smartphone. The system—operable largely within and through the retailer's private computing network—comprises data nodes, an enterprise service bus, and a device application. Inventory-related data is kept in the data nodes, with access thereto from suitably provisioned personal mobile devices moderated by the enterprise service bus pursuant to policies and parameters defined by the retailer. Provisioning the personal mobile device involves installation thereon of the device application. The device application launches a user interface for accessing the data nodes through the enterprise service bus, thus enabling the use on the worker's personal mobile device of retailer-specific, job-related inventory management tools.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to displaying a portion of an image representation of a paper receipt, the image portion corresponding to a selected item from a completed transaction. In embodiments, an “eReceipt,” a digital representation of a paper receipt, is transmitted to and displayed on a customer computing device, such as an app installed on a smartphone. The eReceipt may include a list of items purchased at the transaction and additional information related to the transaction and/or items purchased. In response to the customer selecting one of the items listed on the eReceipt, a snippet of the image of the paper receipt is displayed, the snippet depicting the line item from the paper receipt that represents the selected item.

Abstract: Techniques for related to retail transaction are disclosed. The techniques involve various uses allowing customers to pay for retail transaction using a mobile device, such as a cell phone. Payments for different goods or service in the transaction may be paid for using different methods of payments stored in a customer account.

Abstract: A current location of a portable computerized device can be determined within a retail store. A computer-implemented method to provide a directional aid for a consumer within the store includes receiving an item being sought within a retail store, monitoring, at the processing device, the current location of a portable computerized device, determining an in-store location of the item being sought; and displaying to the consumer a graphic describing a direction and a distance from the current location to the in-store location of the item being sought.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a router having a first I/O terminal and a second I/O terminal, wherein the first I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with at least one client via a first network, wherein the second I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with a plurality of remote servers via a second network, and wherein the router is configured to receive, at the first I/O terminal via the first network, a web services request from the at least one client, identify, based on the web services request from the at least one client, a group of the plurality of remote servers that are capable of fulfilling the web services request, and transmit, in parallel via the second I/O terminal and the second network, the received web services request to each one of the plurality of remote servers within the group.

Abstract: Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for providing an adjustable interactive voice response (IVR) system. User identification information is received in order to determine which portions of an IVR system the user can access. The user can then search the IVR system based on a search term corresponding to a verbal phrase recognizable in the IVR system. The user can enter the search term via a GUI displayed on an electronic device. A listing of audio files or options files corresponding to the verbal phrase is then transmitted to the electronic display device. A new verbal phrase to be recognized in the IVR system is then received from the user, and a system flow including at least one of the audio files or options files is modified to correspond to the new verbal phrase.

Abstract: Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for providing an adjustable interactive voice response (IVR) system. User identification information is received in order to determine which portions of an IVR system the user can access. The user can then search the IVR system based on a search term corresponding to a verbal phrase recognizable in the IVR system. The user can enter the search term via a GUI displayed on an electronic device. A listing of audio files or options files corresponding to the verbal phrase is then transmitted to the electronic display device. A new verbal phrase to be recognized in the IVR system is then received from the user, and a system flow including at least one of the audio files or options files is modified to correspond to the new verbal phrase.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a mobile reporting device and a server. The mobile reporting device comprises a signal receiver configured to receive data usable to determine the location of the reporting device; a communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from a server, the data including location data from the location determiner; a display including a user interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring receipt data to a computing device corresponding to a customer. The method may include initiating a transaction at a point-of-sale system. During the transaction, a computer system comprising the point-of-sale system, may collect receipt data documenting the transaction. The computer system may generate a barcode unique to the transaction and comprising encoded data. Once the transaction has been completed, the computer system may present the barcode to the customer. This may be done via a printed receipt, a customer-facing display, or the like. Using the encoded data, the computer system may deliver the receipt data to a computing device in the possession of the customer. For example, the encoded data may comprise the receipt data. Alternatively, the encoded data may comprise a URL directing the computing device to a resource system from which the receipt data may be downloaded.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting search term popularity is disclosed herein. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L. A machine learning algorithm is trained to create a predictive model. Thereafter, for each record in a database system, the predictive model is used to calculate a probability of the record being accessed. If the calculated probability of the record being accessed is greater than a threshold value, then the record in the first database cluster H; otherwise, the record is placed in the second database cluster L. Training the machine learning algorithm comprises inputting a training feature vector associated with the record into the machine learning algorithm, inputting a cost vector into the machine learning algorithm, and iteratively operating the machine learning algorithm on each record in the set of records to create a predictive model. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide apparatuses and methods useful to providing control over movement of motorized transport units. In some embodiments, an apparatus providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a shopping facility comprises: a central computer system comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from one or more of the communications received from the motorized transport unit, route condition information comprising information corresponding to an intended route of travel; obtain additional route condition information detected by one or more detectors external to the motorized transport unit; detect an object affecting the intended route of travel; identify an action to be taken by the motorized transport unit with respect to the detected object; and communicate one or more instructions.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing a customer to order goods on-line or remotely and to pick-up the goods at a desired location or store are disclosed. The techniques include receiving a customer order. The customer order includes at least one good. The techniques further include populating a virtual basket with a preset list of goods as a function of reference time data and time data associated with the preset list of goods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for consolidating and transforming object-descriptive input data to distributed rendered location data. The systems and methods are configured to receive object-descriptive input data from a plurality of input devices, consolidate the object-descriptive input data and correlate it with a plurality of physical objects, determine first and second subsets of the plurality of physical objects based on a proximity of each of the physical objects to each of a plurality of user devices, construct user device-specific graphical maps each indicating a route to each object in a subset, and instruct each user device to display a graphical map constructed therefor.

Abstract: In accordance with some implementations, a method for enabling clickless purchasing is disclosed. The method is performed on a server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The server system detects commercial intent from a user of the computer system. In response to detecting commercial intent, the server system determines a product relevant to the detected commercial intent of a user. The server system sends a recommendation message to the user, wherein the recommendation message includes an option to purchase the product. The server system then receives a response message from the user, the message including authorization from the user to purchase the recommended product. The server system then purchases the recommended product on behalf of the user and delivers the purchased product to the user.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to reserving physical resources in an enterprise via an electronic reservation environment. An electronic search request for an availability of one or more resources in an enterprise is received from a user through a web page and/or a mobile application and is submitted to a reservation engine. The search request includes one or more resource search parameters received via a graphical user interface associated with the electronic reservation environment. A result identifying resources that satisfy the resource search parameters in the request is received in response to the search request and an electronic metadata request is automatically submitted in response to receipt of the result. The electronic metadata request including resource identifiers corresponding to the resources identified in the result.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process is useful for inspecting a shopping cart in preparation for a rapid checkout from a retail store, the shopping cart including items scanned for purchase by the customer during a shopping trip in the retail store. The process includes monitoring, within a computerized server, an initiation of a rapid checkout by the customer and generating, within a computerized processor, an inspection list for a store employee based upon the initiation. The inspection list includes a summary of items scanned by the customer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a merchandise display system having a modular wall assembly configured to provide electrical power to one or more shelf assemblies. The wall assembly can include a vertically oriented back panel, a cross bar horizontally and detachably mounted to the back panel, a pair of vertical uprights and a top cap. The pair of vertical uprights can be detachably mounted to the cross bar with each of the vertical uprights having an electrically non-conductive portion and an electrically conductive portion. The electrically conductive portion can be electrically isolated from the cross bar by the electrically non-conductive portion. The top cap can be disposed along an upper edge of the back panel and in electrical contact with electrically conductive portion of each of the vertical uprights.

Abstract: Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for configuring a graphical user interface of an electronic display device for enabling preauthorized payment of products or services using distributed processing. A customer may interact with a kiosk or terminal to identify themselves and initiate the process for dynamically computing an active preauthorization limit. Items may then be added to the customer's balance at various point of sale terminals or scanning locations within the facility. Total cost of the items is compared to the active preauthorization limit. Once the customer is finished shopping, a GUI can present them with an authorization screen showing their shopping balance and requesting authorization. The user can interact with the GUI to approve the total via the GUI without the need to produce their card or payment method at checkout.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to determining an availability of a transaction capability of a point-of-sale terminal, and alerting a customer of an availability of the transaction capability. Login activity can be detected at a point-of-sale terminal. An availability of a transaction capability for the point-of-sale terminal can be determined based on data retrieved by the point-of-sale terminal in response to the login activity. A visual alert associated with the transaction capability of the point-of-sale terminal is controlled based on the availability of the transaction capability.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for integrating a primary data store (e.g., a source-of-truth relational database management system) and a secondary data store (e.g., external cache) are described. The approach implements a modified read-through/write-through data access pattern that integrates read and write flows in order to support high-concurrency environments while maintaining immediate consistency between stores. Writes are handled using a three-phase flow that avoids concurrency-related race conditions and the need to block in the secondary store in order to maintain cross-store consistency. Reads are never dirty and will repair the secondary store as needed without conflicting with repairs that may have been initiated by other sessions.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a flexible order fulfillment management system that utilizes predefined fulfillment workflows including common business processes. By utilizing predefined workflows including common business processes, the order fulfillment management system is able to drive store-based fulfillment programs efficiently as multiple fulfillment workflows may utilize the same common business processes and a single fulfillment management system may operate workflows in parallel. In addition, such an order fulfillment management system may also be more easily adapted for different retail store environments as the system allows a designer to easily create or modify a fulfillment workflow by selecting predefined common business processes or creating any additional custom business processes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method can comprise receiving a search query and performing a search based at least in part on the search query. In many embodiments, the search can return a plurality of search results, the plurality of search results can comprise a plurality of attributes. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise selecting at least two of the plurality of search results and sorting an order of the at least two of the plurality of search results by a ranking of the plurality of attributes of the at least two of the plurality of search results, the ranking of the at least two of the plurality of attributes of the plurality of search results based at least in part on a context of the search query. In many embodiments, the method can comprise facilitating display of the at least two of the plurality of search results. Other embodiments of related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to maintaining an item inventory status at an inventory cache management system. The inventory cache may be refreshed regularly by a threshold-based triggering mechanism. In embodiments, as item inventory breaches certain thresholds, the inventory cache may be refreshed with increased frequency to mitigate overselling or underselling scenarios and reduce overall network traffic for items having relatively high inventory levels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a product to a user includes determining that an item obtained by a mobile computing device corresponding to the user is indicative of an oversized item. A first notification is generated indicating the oversized item and retrieval information related to the oversized item. The first notification is transmitted to a first facility computing device corresponding to a first facility attendant. When the user completes a transaction for the purchase of the oversized product at one of the point of sale terminal, terminal information related to the point of sale terminal is obtained. A second notification is generated related to the terminal information. The second notification is transmitted to a second facility computing device corresponding to a second facility attendant.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process can be operated for entering and holding a place for a first customer in a queue while the first customer is waiting to be served at a retail store. The process includes, within a computerized processor, establishing a place in the queue for the first customer, wherein the queue operates to establish among a plurality of customers a customer currently being served by a store employee and an order in which other customers of the plurality will be served. The process further includes displaying upon a portable computerized device of the first customer an indication of a status of the first customer within the queue.

Abstract: A method to provide an active parking system includes receiving, at a portable computerized device, parking preferences of a user for a parking facility of a retail store, determining, within a parking space index server, an availability status of each of a plurality of parking spaces of the parking facility, identifying, within a computerized device, a preferred parking location for the user based upon the parking preferences and the availability statuses, and displaying, at a computerized display, directions for the user to navigate to the preferred parking location.

Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to systems and method for routing electronic messages depending on message content.

Abstract: Techniques for comparing customer records to identify linked customer records pertaining to a single customer entity are provided. The techniques include identifying a target group of electronic customer records having data fields containing data pertaining to a customer, identifying one or more focused blockers identifying a data value for an electronic customer record data field, and analyzing the target group of electronic customer records to identify a focused group of electronic customer records containing the focused blocker data value. The techniques also include comparing pairs of electronic customer records from the focused group of electronic customer records to identify linked records which pertain to a single customer entity.

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: A method of validating rules configured to be utilized in an information extraction application, including: receiving a plurality of labeled samples in a training database; for each of the rules in the rule database: (a) determining, for each of the data points of the plurality of labeled samples in the training database to which the rule applies, whether applying the rule to the data point has a positive or negative impact on matching an output for the data point based on the rule to the assured output of the labeled sample corresponding to the data point; (b) generating positive impact information for the rule based on the positive voters; (c) generating negative impact information for the rule based on the negative voters; and (d) determining a metric for the rule based on the quantity of the negative voters and the quantity of the positive voters; ranking the rules based on the metrics corresponding to the rules; and sending to a user for refinement one or more flagged rules of the rules that have a lowes

Abstract: Provided are check-in to checkout systems and methods. The system includes a point of sale, a display, a mobile device, and a backend system. When the POS starts a transaction, such as, but not limited to scanning an item, the POS generates a transaction/basket identification. In response to starting the transaction, the POS sends the transaction/basket ID to the display in the form of a QR code or one-dimensional barcode. The mobile device operating a mobile application scans and captures the displayed code and reports to the backend systems. The backend systems then send a check-in event, which includes gathered data by the backend systems, to the POS and the POS acknowledges receipt of the message. At this point, a notification may be sent to the mobile application that the check-in was successful and a link is established far flow of information.

Abstract: A checkout station includes a display that is rotatable between a first position and a second position and a barcode scanner that is directed in a first direction in the first position and in a second direction in the second position.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a financial transaction may include processing a purchase transaction for products for purchase by a customer to determine a transaction amount. A communication with a mobile device of the customer may include communicating a store identifier, POS identifier, and the transaction amount. In response to receiving an approval number for the purchase transaction from a financial institution of the customer, completing the purchase transaction for the purchase of the products by the customer.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for creating an electronic invoice file using a baseline electronic purchase order file. The methods and devices can receive data representing an electronic purchase order file, comprising a plurality of fields of information. The methods and devices can also confirm that the received electronic purchase order file, was received from a valid retail trading partner, the format of the received electronic purchase order file is consistent with the format of the baseline electronic purchase order file, and the fields of the received electronic purchase order file are consistent with the fields in the baseline electronic purchase order file, in a single step, by applying a hashing function to the data representing the baseline electronic purchase order file and received electronic purchase order file. The methods and devices can also create an electronic invoice file, using a plurality of fields from the electronic purchase order file.

Abstract: Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for providing an adjustable interactive voice response (IVR) system. User identification information is received in order to determine which portions of an IVR system the user can access. The user can then search the IVR system based on a search term corresponding to a verbal phrase recognizable in the IVR system. The user can enter the search term via a GUI displayed on an electronic device. A listing of audio files or options files corresponding to the verbal phrase is then transmitted to the electronic display device. A new verbal phrase to be recognized in the IVR system is then received from the user, and a system flow including at least one of the audio files or options files is modified to correspond to the new verbal phrase.

Abstract: A system and method for forecasting sales is presented. A transmission by a customer is received indicating an intention for a customer to purchase an item from a retailer via a mobile device. An embodiment determines if the item is subject to an age-restriction. This can be accomplished by using location data of a retailer. Biometric data is received from the customer intending to purchase the item. The biometric data is compared to verified biometric data to confirm the identity of the customer. The age of the customer is determined. Thereafter, the transaction is allowed to proceed if the age of the customer satisfies the age-restriction for the item. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.