Abstract: Breakaway retention device (100) is comprises a retained member (120) and a retention body (110). The retention member includes a retention knob (121). The retention body includes a housing having one or more resilient components (113a and 113b), two or more retention members (114a, 114b, 114a, and 114d), and a retention space (118). The retention space is at least partially defined by the retention members and configured to receive the retention knob when the retained member and the retention body are coupled together. The resilient components are disposed to resiliently maintain each of the retention members in a predetermined engagement position in the retention body to engage the retention knob when the retained member and the retention body are coupled together. The retained member and the retention body are prevented from being decoupled without the application of a predetermined force.

Abstract: Breakaway retention device (100) is comprises a retained member (120) and a retention body (110). The retention member includes a retention knob (121). The retention body includes a housing having one or more resilient components (113a and 113b), two or more retention members (114a, 114b, 114a, and 114d), and a retention space (118). The retention space is at least partially defined by the retention members and configured to receive the retention knob when the retained member and the retention body are coupled together. The resilient components are disposed to resiliently maintain each of the retention members in a predetermined engagement position in the retention body to engage the retention knob when the retained member and the retention body are coupled together. The retained member and the retention body are prevented from being decoupled without the application of a predetermined force.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing an electrical interface between a male plug (1002) and a female receptacle (100, 500, 1000, 1600). The methods comprise: receiving a conductive pin (402, 800, 1006, 1602) of the male plug in a socket opening (112, 900, 1012, 1612) of the female receptacle; providing (a) first spring loaded floating contact points (460) between an elongate body (422) of the conductive pin and an electrical contact (106A-106B) of the female receptacle and (b) at least one second spring loaded floating contact point (462) between a tip (420) of the conductive pin and the electrical contact (110) of the female receptacle, when the conductive pin is fully inserted into the female receptacle; and maintaining at least two of the spring loaded floating contact points when the pin moves within the socket opening as a result of an external force applied to the male plug or female receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a method for enabling point of sales (POS) functionality in a wireless communications device (WCD) including the steps of: transmitting, using an interface element in at least one specially programmed general purpose computer, a POS function control signal to a communication network for transmission to a WCD, the WCD located in a retail location; activating a POS function, in response to the control signal, to enable POS functionality in the WCD, the POS function stored in a memory element for the WCD or in a memory element for the at least one specially programmed computer; acquiring, using the POS function, an identification of an item via the WCD; receiving, using the interface element, the identification data for the item from the WCD via the communication network; and generating, using a processor for the at least one general-purpose computer, an order including the first item.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a method for enabling point of sales (POS) functionality in a wireless communications device (WCD) including the steps of: transmitting, using an interface element in at least one specially programmed general purpose computer, a POS function control signal to a communication network for transmission to a WCD, the WCD located in a retail location; activating a POS function, in response to the control signal, to enable POS functionality in the WCD, the POS function stored in a memory element for the WCD or in a memory element for the at least one specially programmed computer; acquiring, using the POS function, an identification of an item via the WCD; receiving, using the interface element, the identification data for the item from the WCD via the communication network; and generating, using a processor for the at least one general-purpose computer, an order including the first item.

Abstract: A method of determining compensation, including the steps of: generating, using a processor of a specially programmed general-purpose computer and a first software program stored in a memory element of the general-purpose computer and offered by a first business entity, at least one sales offer; transmitting the at least one sales offer using an interface element for the general-purpose computer; tracking, using the processor and a second software program stored in the memory element and supplied by a third business entity, the at least one sales offer and respective acceptances of sales offers from the at least one sales offer, the respective acceptances received by the interface element; determining, using the processor and the second software program, revenue from the respective acceptances; and calculating, using the processor and the second software program, compensation for use of the product or service, based on the revenue.

Abstract: A system for managing a progressive incentive, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for receiving data regarding a current transaction between a customer and a business entity; and a memory unit for the specially programmed general-purpose computer for storing at least one compliance parameter and an artificial intelligence program (AIP).

Abstract: A computer-based self-learning system for managing a price in a retail environment, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for receiving an input related to initiation of a transaction between a customer and a first business entity; a memory unit for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP) and a history of at least one previous transaction between the customer and the first business entity; and a processor for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for: determining, using the AIP, the input, and the history, a price for the good or service to optimize revenue for the first business entity or profitability of the first business entity. The interface element is for receiving a request for the price, and the processor is for transmitting, using the interface element, the price for display.

Abstract: A system for modifying a prompt or a survey, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for receiving an audio input including: a response of an employee of a business entity to a prompt presented to the employee; or a response of a customer of the business entity to a question presented to the customer following a transaction between the customer and the business entity. The system also includes: a memory unit for the computer storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP); and a processor for the computer for: storing the audio input in the memory unit; comparing the audio input to a metric; modifying the prompt or the question using the AIP and the audio input comparison; and transmitting, using the interface element, the prompt or the question for presentation, on a respective display device, to the employee or the customer.

Abstract: A system for providing an incentive for an employee, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; a memory unit for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; and a processor for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for: generating, using an artificial intelligence program (AIP) in the memory unit, an incentive for at least one employee of a first business entity to perform at least one desired operation; and transmitting, using the interface element, the incentive for display on a display device. In one embodiment, the desired operation includes presenting an upsell offer.

Abstract: A system for initiating an order by scanning a coupon, including: a processor for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; an interface element for the at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; and, an offer element, in the processor for: generating barcode data including information regarding items or services included in a fulfilled order; transmitting, using an interface element, the barcode data for output at a first point of sale (POS) device; receiving, using the interface element, the barcode data inputted via a second POS device; generating, in response to the inputted barcode data, a order offer including at least one item or service included in the fulfilled order; and transmitting, using the interface element, the order offer for output via the second POS device.

Abstract: A computer-based system for generating and transmitting a location based offer reminder, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; a memory element for the computer, the memory element storing a record of at least one communication sent to at least one wireless communications device (WCD); and a reminder element, in a processor for the computer. The reminder element is for: identifying, using the interface element, the at least one WCD as being within a prescribed geographical area; determining that a response to the communication has not been received; generating at least one reminder regarding the communication; and transmitting, using the interface element, the reminder to a wireless communications network for transmission to WCD. In one embodiment, the reminder element generates the at least one reminder using at least one of a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: A method for querying an end user, including the steps of generating, in a processor of a specially programmed general-purpose computer, a query as to whether an item is out of stock at a retail location or missing at the retail location and transmitting the query from an interface element in the general-purpose computer to a communication network for transmission to a wireless communications device located in the retail location. In some aspects, the query includes an option for payment of the order; the method generates an offer regarding an option for gaining possession of the order and transmits the offer to the communication network; or the method determines that the order is available at another retail location, different that the first retail location, generates a notification regarding the availability at the other retail location, and transmitting the notification to the network for transmission to the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A method for using a wireless communications device, including the steps of: determining, using an interface element and a processor in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, that at least one wireless communications device (WCD) is located in a retail location; generating, using the processor, a query; outputting, using the processor and the interface element, the query for transmission to the at least one WCD; receiving, using the interface element, a reply to the query transmitted from the at least one WCD; generating, using the processor, a message responsive to the reply; and outputting, using the processor and the interface element, the message for transmission to the at least one WCD. In one embodiment, the reply is regarding locating an item and the message includes a location for the item.

Abstract: A method for automated return of an item, including the steps of: automatically identifying, with a processor and an interface element in a specially programmed general-purpose computer, an item brought within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity; determining, via the processor and a memory element in the general-purpose computer, that the item was previously purchased from the business entity by a customer; and applying, using the processor, a credit for the item to an account associated with the customer. In some aspects, the item comprises an RFID tag and the memory element comprises a sales record for the item including data regarding the tag, and automatically identifying an item includes automatically detecting the tag and transmitting data identifying the tag to the interface element, and determining that the item was previously purchased includes using the data identifying the tag to select the sales record.

Abstract: A system for providing a location based offer, including: an offer element, in a processor for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; and a memory unit for the computer. The offer element: generates, using the processor and a first set of rules or a first artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit, at least one respective offer for an item or service from at least one business entity, the offer for display on a map showing respective locations for the at least one business entity; transmits, according a second set of rules or a second artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit, the at least one respective offer to a wireless communications device (WCD) for display on a map by the WCD, the map including the respective locations; and receives, from the WCD a selection of an offer from among the at least one respective offer.