Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of providing, with a processing device of a commerce server, sales assistance to a consumer shopping in a retail store and considering a first item for purchase. The method also includes the step of receiving, at the processing device, a receipt signal containing a list of items purchased by the consumer. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, if the first item is among the list of items purchased by the consumer to track the effectiveness of the providing step.

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 consumer shopping in a retail store. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, that the help request signal contains data indicative of a request for sales assistance. The method also includes the step of linking, with the processing device, the augmented reality device in communication with an electronic computing device physically remote from the augmented reality device. An operator of the electronic computing device is operable to assist the consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of positioning at least one location marker at a position in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a position detection server, a video signal from an electronic device possessed by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. At least one image frame of the video signal contains the at least one location marker. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, a location of the consumer within the retail store in response to the receiving step.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing customers to participate in a competition while shopping are disclosed. The techniques include electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition among customers at a brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into the first mobile electronic device, creating an electronic shopping cart which includes the first item on the first mobile electronic device, assigning a point value to the first mobile electronic device for selecting the first item for purchase, and selecting a winner among competition participants based on points earned by the competition participants in selecting items for purchase.

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 is disclosed for obtaining improved product descriptions via crowd-sourcing. Within the method, a point-of-sale system forming part of a computer system may initiate a point-of-sale transaction involving a customer. The computer system may identify a first product description describing a first instance of a product being purchased as part of the point-of-sale transaction. The computer system may invite the customer to improve the first product description. In response to such an invitation, the computer system may receive, from a computing device corresponding to the customer, a second product description comprising an improved description of the first instance of the product. The second product description may then be stored by the computer system. The second product description may be vetted to ensure a certain level of quality. Subsequently, the second product description may be passed to other customers when they purchase other instances of the product.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, a first video signal containing an image of a consumer's face. The method also includes the step of linking, with the processing device, a receipt of a purchase by the consumer of at least one product with the image of the consumer's face. The method also includes the step of receiving, at the processing device, a second video signal generated at an exit of a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, the consumer in the second video signal based on the image of the consumer's face in the first video signal. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a receipt signal containing the receipt to a display positioned at the exit of the retail store in response to the identifying step.

Abstract: A portable computerized device can implement a method to collect a preference of a user for a product and share that preference over a social media application. The method includes monitoring an indication of a user of the device to a product of interest, identifying the product of interest by referencing a product information database, communicating the product of interest to the social media application, and displaying the product of interest through the social media application.

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 a first augmented reality device worn by a current consumer considering an item for purchase in a retail store. The method also includes the step of searching, with the processing device, a consumer database wherein the consumer database contains purchase histories for a plurality of past consumers. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, a past consumer in the consumer database who purchased the item. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a communication request signal to a second augmented reality device worn by the past consumer containing data indicative of a request that the past consumer communicate with the current consumer about the item. The past consumer can assist the current consumer in considering the item for purchase.

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 transmitting, with the processing device, a first item signal to an augmented reality device worn by a consumer within the retail store. The first item signal corresponds to one of the plurality of items. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, one or more movement signals from the augmented reality device worn by the consumer corresponding to movement of the consumer. The method also includes the step of changing, with the processing device, from transmitting the first item signal to transmitting a second item signal different from the first item signal in response to the step of receiving the one or more movement signals.

Abstract: Health related attributes of a consumable product can be used to propose substitutes for the product. A computer-implemented method to propose substitutes includes receiving from a user an original shopping list comprising the consumable product, determining health related attributes for the product, generating a proposed healthy choice substitute for the product based upon the health related attributes, and displaying the proposed healthy choice substitute to the user.

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 consumer signals from a first augmented reality device and a second augmented reality device. Each augmented reality device can be worn by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a first procuring signal containing data associated with the shopping list to the first augmented reality device and a second procuring signal containing data associated with the shopping list to the second augmented reality device, such that the consumers can cooperatively shop for items on the shopping list.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for estimating the risk of criminal activity in a retail setting. Using video data, biometric data for an individual may be obtained. A baseline biometric measurement is taken upon enqueuing of an individual, which may include entry of the individual into the field of view of a camera having a point of sale (POS) in its field of view. A biometric measurement is also taken when the individual is adjacent the POS. According to an analysis of these measurements, an estimate of risk is calculated, such as by comparing the baseline measurement to a POS measurement. Based on this risk assessment, an alert may be generated. The alert may be a graphical indicator displayed on the POS or transmitted to a device operated by a store representative. The risk assessment may also be used to select transactions for auditing in a self-checkout system.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for helping customers select lesser congested checkout lanes. A cashier can adjust a user-interface control to indicate customer congestion at his or her checkout lane. The indicated customer congestion is combined with indicated customer congestions for other checkout lanes (which may be more or less congested). The combined indicated customer congestions are used to form a lane congestion report for a physical store location. The lane congestion report can be sent to and presented at customer mobile devices at or near the physical store location. Customers can use the information presented in the lane congestion report to select a lesser congested checkout lane.

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: Techniques for allowing a store security associate to complete a purchase audit for a customer leaving a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include preparing an electronic receipt for completed purchase transaction and transmitting a copy of the electronic receipt to a store audit electronic device at the brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving customer information into the store audit electronic device to identify the copy of the electronic receipt associated with a customer, displaying the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device, and reviewing the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device to verify that the customer has purchased items which are in the customer's possession as the customer exits the store.

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: Techniques for allowing multiple mobile electronic devices to contribute items to a single electronic shopping cart are disclosed. The techniques include electronically pairing a first mobile electronic device with a second mobile electronic device. The techniques also include receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, receiving first item information for the first item into the self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, creating an electronic shopping cart with the first item information on the first mobile electronic device, and transmitting information regarding the first item to the second mobile electronic device to thereby create a synced copy of the electronic shopping cart on the second mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for deleting an electronic receipt. Within the method, a computer system may present a receipt image documenting a point-of-sale transaction to a customer via a display of a computing device corresponding to the customer. While the receipt image is being presented, the computer system may receive one or more multi-touch pinch commands applied by the customer to the display of the computing device. In response to such commands, the computer system may virtually crumple the receipt image in a manner tracking the one or more multi-touch pinch commands. Once the receipt image is fully crumpled and/or crumpled and flicked, the computer system may delete receipt data corresponding to the receipt image from the computer device or an account accessed through the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of storing locally, at an augmented reality device worn by a consumer, a shopping list of products that a consumer desires to purchase in a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with a processing device of a commerce server, a location within the retail store of a product on the shopping list and a location of the consumer within the retail store. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, directions from the location of the consumer to the location of the product, the directions being transmitted to an augmented reality device worn by the consumer in the retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, a video signal from a camera of the augmented reality device as the consumer moves through the retail store.