Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for suggesting recipes. Within the method, one or more point-of-sale transactions may be conducted. The transactions may involve a computer system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may store receipt data documenting the transactions. The computer system may also receive a request from the mobile computing device for one or more recipes, analyze the receipt data to identify at least one of the food patterns and food preferences of the customer, and identify one or more recipes corresponding to at least one of the food patterns and food preferences. The computer system may then pass the one or more recipes to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for improving customer service. A video feed of a camera viewing a POS queue is analyzed to identify customers and measure customer biometric data. The biometric data is analyzed and used to generate customer service actions such as alerting a representative or calling in additional staff if the data indicates customer dissatisfaction. The biometric data of a customer may be correlated to transaction data of the customer in order to detect changes of the purchase habits of the customer due to dissatisfaction. Changes in purchase habits, such as a loss of a customer, may be used in combination with the biometric data to establish thresholds of biometric data used to generate customer service actions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for calendaring reminders. Within the method, one or more point-of-sale transactions may be conducted. The transactions may involve a computer system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may store receipt data documenting the transactions. The computer system may also search the receipt data in an effort to locate one or more products having predictable purchase periodicity. When such products are identified, one or more appropriate reminders for subsequent purchases of the one or more products may be scheduled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for administering a gift registry. Within the method, a computer system may associate or link a gift registry to a computing device in the possession of a customer. A point-of-sale system forming part of the computer system may then initiate a transaction comprising the purchase of an item by the customer. The computer system may identify a link between the computing device and the transaction, determine that the item is listed within the gift registry, and receive confirmation that the item was purchased for the gift registry. Accordingly, the computer system may modify the gift registry to reflect the purchase of the item.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products f0r 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: A method is disclosed identifying a customer during a point-of-sale transaction. Within the method, a computer system may associate or link a first character string to a computing device possessed by a customer. Subsequently, the computer system may initiate a point-of-sale transaction with the customer at a point-of-sale system. In the transaction, the computer system may receive payment data from the customer and first location data from the computing device. From the payment data, the computer system may obtain a second character string. Accordingly, the computer system may identify a match between the first character string and the second character string and between the first location data and second location data corresponding to the point-of-sale system. Thus, the computer system may determine that the computing device is a proper recipient of an electronic receipt documenting the transaction and send the electronic receipt to the computing device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a customer sharing a receipt with other persons. An electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. A customer may select the receipt for sharing as well as selecting modifications to the receipt and persons to share the receipt with. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be shared. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the contact person requested by the customer. The receipt may be shared via data transfer, facsimile or email, or may be shared through a receipts management software or application.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reprinting a paper copy of a receipt at a physical store location. The receipt printing may be based off of an electronic receipt. A customer may provide receipt identification to a returns associate at 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 returns associate. A modified receipt may be printed which includes receipt information for additional transactions. A modified receipt may be printed which includes additional information regarding items on the receipt.

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 method is disclosed for reprinting a paper copy of a receipt at a physical store location. The receipt printing may be based off of an electronic receipt. A customer may provide receipt identification to a returns associate at 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 returns associate. A modified receipt may be printed which includes receipt information for additional transactions. A modified receipt may be printed which includes additional information regarding items on the receipt.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing crowdsourced contest for a behavior modification plan such as a plan to modify a user's diet, spending habits, or meals. A contest definition may be formulated based on a request received from the user and an analysis of the user's purchase history. The contest may be published to potential respondents based on analysis of the respondent's own purchase history. Payments may be authorized upon selection of a respondent's plan. The user's purchasing activity may be monitored and reported to the selected respondent to facilitate coaching. Coaching activity may be facilitated and or detected and payment authorized for such activity. Achievement of goals may be verified using the purchase activity of the user and payment authorized to the selected respondent to the extent goals are achieved.

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 method is disclosed for a customer sharing a receipt with other persons. An electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. Using a device configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention, a customer is able to select the receipt for sharing as well as adding additional information to the receipt such as comments, ratings, reviews, etc. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be shared with other persons. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the contact person requested by the customer. The receipt may be shared via the contact person's mobile electronic device.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing crowdsourced contest for a behavior modification plan such as a plan to modify a user's diet, spending habits, or meals. A contest definition may be formulated based on a request received from the user and an analysis of the user's purchase history. The contest may be published to potential respondents based on analysis of the respondent's own purchase history. Payments may be authorized upon selection of a respondent's plan. The user's purchasing activity may be monitored and reported to the selected respondent to facilitate coaching. Coaching activity may be facilitated and or detected and payment authorized for such activity. Achievement of goals may be verified using the purchase activity of the user and payment authorized to the selected respondent to the extent goals are achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining an electronic receipt. An electronic receipt is created and stored for a transaction. The electronic receipt is updated for returns and the electronic receipt may be viewable by a user, as a number of versions of the receipt or a markup showing modifications to the transaction. To make a return, a POS may request the some or all of versions of the receipt. An item to be returned for a transaction may be evaluated with respect to the current version of the receipt to determine if the item has been previously returned. An item to be returned may be selected by a user by selecting the item on a graphical representation of the receipt displayed on the user's mobile phone or other computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for encouraging participation of children in a shopping trip. A parent assigns a number of items or specific items of a shopping list to a child and the assignment is transmitted to a child's device. A child's selection of a reward item is received from the child's device. An interface on the child's device enables check off of the items as the child retrieves them. Upon completion of the assignment, a parent may authorize check off of the reward item and this authorization may be transmitted to the child device. Check off of the reward item may then be enabled on the child device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a customer sharing a receipt with other persons. An electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. A customer may select the receipt for sharing as well as selecting modifications to the receipt and persons to share the receipt with. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be shared. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the contact person requested by the customer. The receipt may be shared via data transfer, facsimile or email, or may be shared through a receipts management software or application.

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. A point-of-sale system forming part of the computer system may then receive identification information from the customer. The customer may use the identification information to link the layaway transaction to the computing device. The computer system may then serve an electronic receipt to the computing device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a customer's proximity to a checkout register at a store. 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 mobile self-checkout software may present information to the customer according to the customer's position in the checkout line. The type and nature of the information presented to the customer may be changed according to the customer's distance from the checkout terminal as well as how quickly the customer is approaching the terminal. 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.