Abstract: Techniques for collaborative shopping are presented. During a shopping transaction, a customer collaborates in real time with one or more additional participants. Real-time and dynamic feedback is provided to the customer from the participants throughout the shopping transaction. Furthermore, real-time and dynamic feedback is provided from the customer to the participants throughout the shopping transaction.

Abstract: Techniques for collaborative shopping are presented. During a shopping transaction, a customer collaborates in real time with one or more additional participants. Real-time and dynamic feedback is provided to the customer from the participants throughout the shopping transaction. Furthermore, real-time and dynamic feedback is provided from the customer to the participants throughout the shopping transaction.

Abstract: Techniques for collaborative shopping are presented. During a shopping transaction, a customer collaborates in real time with one or more additional participants. Real-time and dynamic feedback is provided to the customer from the participants throughout the shopping transaction. Furthermore, real-time and dynamic feedback is provided from the customer to the participants throughout the shopping transaction.

Abstract: Techniques for collaborative shopping are presented. During a shopping transaction, a customer collaborates in real time with one or more additional participants. Real-time and dynamic feedback is provided to the customer from the participants throughout the shopping transaction. Furthermore, real-time and dynamic feedback is provided from the customer to the participants throughout the shopping transaction.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include systems, methods, and software to increase inventory reduction for many purposes. One method embodiment includes retrieving, by a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, promotion data during an open checkout transaction. The retrieved promotional data typically includes a promotion detail portion and a promotion rule. The method further presents a view of at least the promotion detail portion of the retrieved promotional data, either via a display of a teller or a customer facing display. This method may further apply the promotion rule to the transaction when one or more specific items presented for purchase are implicated by the promotion rule.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a scanner, a camera positioned to capture images of items being scanned by the scanner, and a receipt generator coupled to receive information of items being scanned and images of the items being scanned, correlate the information and images, and provide a link to the images on a receipt.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for protection and delivery of content. Upon initiation of a user account for use in conducting transactions involving delivery of content to a user, digital rights management (DRM) information is created and stored in association with user information. A copy of the DRM information is provided to or made accessible to the user in such a way that the DRM information can made accessible to a suitable playback device to allow playing of content protected with the DRM information. When a user enters into a transaction to receive content, the DRM information associated with the user is used to protect the content before delivery to the user. When the user wishes to play the content, the removable media device storing the user's DRM information must be present in order to allow playing of the content.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are presented for improving the accessibility to self-service terminals by the visually impaired. An apparatus is provided that when attached to a touch-screen display improves accessibility. The apparatus includes touch identifiable symbols. A user operates a self-service terminal by selecting the appropriate symbol on the apparatus in response to audible instructions from the terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are presented for improving the accessibility to self-service terminals by the visually impaired. An apparatus is provided that when attached to a touch-screen display improves accessibility. The apparatus includes touch identifiable symbols. A user operates a self-service terminal by selecting the appropriate symbol on the apparatus in response to audible instructions from the terminal.

Abstract: Techniques for collaborative shopping are presented. During a shopping transaction, a customer collaborates in real time with one or more additional participants. Real-time and dynamic feedback is provided to the customer from the participants throughout the shopping transaction. Furthermore, real-time and dynamic feedback is provided from the customer to the participants throughout the shopping transaction.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for protection and delivery of content. Upon initiation of a user account for use in conducting transactions involving delivery of content to a user, digital rights management (DRM) information is created and stored in association with user information. A copy of the DRM information is provided to or made accessible to the user in such a way that the DRM information can made accessible to a suitable playback device to allow playing of content protected with the DRM information. When a user enters into a transaction to receive content, the DRM information associated with the user is used to protect the content before delivery to the user. When the user wishes to play the content, the removable media device storing the user's DRM information must be present in order to allow playing of the content.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for control of RFID devices. An RFID device has an antenna connected with a switch or switches whose states can be changed so as to disable or reduce the effective range of the antenna. The RFID device includes a transceiver that uses the antenna to carry on communications with an RFID reader. The transceiver can set the states of switches in order to set the reader to a desired state. The reader is capable of issuing commands to the RFID device, acted on by the transceiver in order to set states of switches in order to achieve a desired state for the RFID device. The reader may issue commands through RF communication, or alternatively may issue commands through a close proximity interface, for example through contacts or through an inductive connection, allowing the state of the device to be reset after the RF capability of the device has been disabled or reduced.

Abstract: Improved techniques for transmission and display of video data are described. A point of sale terminal includes a processor, memory and software executed by the processor to create frames of data and to analyze the frames of data to create differential data defining differences between preceding and succeeding frames of data. The differential data can be applied to the preceding frames to construct the succeeding frames. At least one frame is transmitted to an external video interface using an external connection such as a universal serial bus port. Differential data is also transmitted to the external video interface. The differential data is applied to the frame which has been transmitted in order to create succeeding frames. The frames of video data are displayed using a display connected to the video interface.

Abstract: Techniques for remotely programming a field programmable gate array, or FPGA, are described. A field programmable gate array uses operating software which is stored in a memory such as a parallel flash memory. Upon power up or reset of the FPGA, the operating software is converted to serial form and loaded into the FPGA, where it is used to control the operations of the FPGA. When it is desired to update the operating software, an updated operating software package is transferred from a remote location to a terminal associated with the FPGA. The FPGA then retrieves the updated operating software from the terminal over a connection such as a universal serial bus (USB) connection and transfers it to the flash memory, overwriting the previously installed operating software. Upon a subsequent power up or reset of the FPGA, the updated operating software is loaded into the FPGA.

Abstract: Improved techniques for transmission and display of video data are described. A point of sale terminal includes a processor, memory and software executed by the processor to create frames of data and to analyze the frames of data to create differential data defining differences between preceding and succeeding frames of data. The differential data can be applied to the preceding frames to construct the succeeding frames. At least one frame is transmitted to an external video interface using an external connection such as a universal serial bus port. Differential data is also transmitted to the external video interface. The differential data is applied to the frame which has been transmitted in order to create succeeding frames. The frames of video data are displayed using a display connected to the video interface.

Abstract: A touch screen system including a data buffer to allow an operator to enter data in a touch ahead mode without waiting for the screen to be refreshed. As an operator enters data through touches to the screen, the buffer stores data represented by the touches. As the screen refreshes to reflect entry of a data item, that data item is passed from the data buffer and processed. Feedback is provided to the operator to inform the operator that each data item has been entered. The touch ahead mode may be turned on or off depending on whether the graphic being displayed is conducive to touch ahead data entry. Alternatively, touch ahead mode may be selected through an operator-entered command.