Abstract: A system and method for accelerating customer sales transactions in a retail store. A customer checkout accelerator provides a customer user interface to initiate a request for a preapproval amount for a sales transaction before reaching the point of sale terminal for completion of the purchase transaction. A card reader integrated into the customer checkout accelerator reads a customer payment card number when the payment card is swiped through the reader. A customer checkout accelerator server module resident on a store controller server determines a preapproval amount for the sales transaction and transmits the request to an external card services system for payment approval. The customer checkout accelerator also provides the ability to purchase additional promotional items in the checkout lane with this process integrated into the payment preapproval process.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating customer sales transactions in a retail store. A customer checkout accelerator provides a customer user interface initiate a request for a preapproval amount for a sales transaction before reaching the point of sale for completion of the purchase transaction. A card reader integrated into the customer checkout accelerator reads a customer payment card number when the payment card is swiped through the reader. A customer checkout accelerator server module resident on a store controller server determines a preapproval amount for the sales action and transmits the request to an external card services system for payment approval. The customer checkout accelerator also provides the ability to purchase additional promotional items in the checkout lane with this process integrated into the payment preapproval process.

Abstract: A user such as a customer or store employee uses a service finding node to generate a request for information related to a desired service. The request is made on an input device such as a touch sensitive panel. The service finding node sends the request to an information source such as a monitor program executing on a store controller. In response, the requested information is transmitted to the service finding node and is presented to the user via an output device such as a display. In one embodiment the presented information is displayed on a map and includes location, distance, and status information as well as directions to one or more customer service nodes providing the desired service. In a second embodiment, the presented information includes directions to an active, operational, and staffed checkout station.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating customer sales transactions in a retail store. A customer checkout accelerator provides a customer user interface initiate a request for a preapproval amount for a sales transaction before reaching the point of sale for completion of the purchase transaction. A card reader integrated into the customer checkout accelerator reads a customer payment card number when the payment card is swiped through the reader. A customer checkout accelerator server module resident on a store controller server determines a preapproval amount for the sales action and transmits the request to an external card services system for payment approval. The customer checkout accelerator also provides the ability to purchase additional promotional items in the checkout lane with this process integrated into the payment preapproval process.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating customer sales transactions in a retail store. A customer checkout accelerator provides a customer user interface to initiate a request for a preapproval amount for a sales transaction before reaching the point of sale terminal for completion of the purchase transaction. A card reader integrated into the customer checkout accelerator reads a customer payment card number when the payment card is swiped through the reader. A customer checkout accelerator server module resident on a store controller server determines a preapproval amount for the sales transaction and transmits the request to an external card services system for payment approval. The customer checkout accelerator also provides the ability to purchase additional promotional items in the checkout lane with this process integrated into the payment preapproval process.

Abstract: A method and system for using a JAVA™ Custom ClassLoader to dynamically build and maintain a list of JAVA™ Class Files and resources that are used by applications that run in Point Of Sale (POS) terminals or other POS devices. The JAVA™ Class Files and resources are ordinarily obtained from a file server known as a controller. If communication between the POS terminal and the controller is lost, other POS devices dynamically collaborate in a “self healing” process to find and provide the required resources (e.g., JAVA™ Class Files) to run the POS terminal in an off-line mode. The present system is thus autonomic, self-learning and self-healing.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating customer sales transactions in a retail store. A customer checkout accelerator provides a customer user interface to initiate a request for a preapproval amount for a sales transaction before reaching the point of sale terminal for completion of the purchase transaction. A card reader integrated into the customer checkout accelerator reads a customer payment card number when the payment card is swiped through the reader. A customer checkout accelerator server module resident on a store controller server determines a preapproval amount for the sales transaction and transmits the request to an external card services system for payment approval. The customer checkout accelerator also provides the ability to purchase additional promotional items in the checkout lane with this process integrated into the payment preapproval process.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing remote authorization of transactions. The process suspends a transaction at a first location in response to detecting the occurrence of an override condition. The process then sends a request for authorization to a user operating a remote computing device at a second location to form a requested authorization. The remote computing device includes a verification device for capturing a requested authorization provided by the user of the remote computing device. The process then receives the requested authorization from the user of the remote computing device in response to sending the request. The process then authenticates the requested authorization in response to receiving the requested authorization, and allows the completion of the suspended transaction if the requested authorization is authenticated.

Abstract: A user such as a customer or store employee uses a service finding node to generate a request for information related to a desired service. The request is made on an input device such as a touch sensitive panel. The service finding node sends the request to an information source such as a monitor program executing on a store controller. In response, the requested information is transmitted to the service finding node and is presented to the user via an output device such as a display. In one embodiment the presented information is displayed on a map and includes location, distance, and status information as well as directions to one or more customer service nodes providing the desired service. In a second embodiment, the presented information includes directions to an active, operational, and staffed checkout station.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, system, and computer program products are provided that may facilitate monitoring of data processing system events. For example, data processing system event data may be collected and sent to an event handler program module. Once the event handler program module receives the data processing system event data, a remote program module, which resides in a different address space than the event handler program module, may be notified. The data processing system event data may then be sent from the event handler program module to the remote program module. Data processing system events may, therefore, be monitored from a remote location without the need to log in to the data processing system to manually extract the event data. Moreover, the data processing system event data may be sent from the event handler program module to the remote program module as events occur, thereby providing event notification in real-time.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for transmitting customized URL's to a customer in a point of sale system. A point of sale terminal may transmit customized URL(s) to a hand held computer possessed by the customer that may be determined to be of interest to the customer. The URL(s) that may be of interest to the customer may be determined at least in part based on past or present customer transactions, profile of the customer, responses to previously transmitted URL(s) and items to promote. The customized URL(s) transmitted to the customer may then be tracked. Based on tracking the effectiveness of the URL(s), a marketing/advertising strategy may be developed, a profile of the customer may be edited, and a negotiation may occur with an entity to distribute one or more URL(s) identifying that identity to the customer.

Abstract: A Fast Ethernet LAN hub may include a plurality of 100 Mbps ports, each dedicated to a single station or shared with a high speed Ethernet segment. The ports on the Fast Ethernet hub are connected to a low speed 10 Mbps LAN segment through a high speed LAN/low speed LAN bridge port. Because of the mismatch in data transmission rates, the LAN bridge may experience congestion as a result of data flow at the high speed/low speed interface. To minimize the impact on high speed ports, a congestion control system responds to a congested state by identifying 100 Mbps ports currently actively communicating with remote stations through the 10 Mbps port. Any 100 Mbps port identified as supporting a current connection to a network management station is excluded from the set of identified ports. The identified ports are temporarily prevented from sending or receiving data. Other 100 Mbps ports on the hub remain unaffected by the congestion control action.

Abstract: A method and system for providing incentive award information to a customer are disclosed. Initially, customer information of a customer is obtained from an input device. The customer information is then transmitted to a remotely located host computer. In response to the customer information at the host computer, the host computer retrieves incentive award information associated with the customer information and then transmits the retrieved information to the input device. The incentive award information is subsequently displayed on the input device. In response to scanning of a product on the input device by the customer, the product having an associated award, incentive award information of the customer is updated with the addition of the new product code. The updated incentive award information is then displayed on the input device. The customer is alerted when the updated incentive award information reaches or falls within a predetermined threshold from an award plateau.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the topology of a communications network that utilizes routing information fields contained within transmission frames for controlling routine transmissions. First, a plurality of transmission frames associated with routine data transmissions are collected. Next, a plurality of routing information fields are extracted from the plurality of transmission frames. Thereafter, the plurality of routing information frames are analyzed and parsed, thereby yielding interconnected topology data. Finally, the interconnected topology data from the plurality of routing information fields is converted and stored into programming language data objects, such that the data objects may thereafter be utilized to display the interconnected topology of the communications network.

Abstract: At a point of sale terminal, a biometrics device is coupled to the point of sale terminal to provide for an ability to scan a fingerprint of an authorized operator or manager. Once an authorized fingerprint is scanned, then a series of predetermined commands will automatically be performed within the point of sale terminal to implement the override function required of the manager or operator. The biometrics device replaces the need for a physical key to be used by a manager to access the point of sale terminal, and then also replaces the need for the manager to enter a keying sequence to perform the override function.

Abstract: Apparatus and method which allow an SNMP managed device to register with a Network Management system. The SNMP managed device generates and transmits, to the Management Station or other network stations, a Frame indicating that the managed device is present in the network. The process of transmitting the frame continues until the Management Station responds with a frame acknowledging receipt. The managed device then sets a Timer and monitors for receipt of the Response frame from said Management Station. If the timer expires and the Response frame is not received within the timer interval, the registration process is initiated. Thus, the invention discloses a dynamic way of registering, monitoring and initiating registration (if contact is lost) of an SNMP device with a Management Station.

Abstract: Apparatus and method which allow an SNMP managed device to register with a Network Management system. The SNMP managed device generates and transmits, to the Management Station or other network stations, a Frame indicating that the managed device is present in the network. The process of transmitting the frame continues until the Management Station responds with a frame acknowledging receipt. The managed device then sets a Timer and monitors for receipt of the Response frame from said Management Station. If the timer expires and the Response frame is not received within the timer interval, the registration process is initiated. Thus, the invention discloses a dynamic way of registering, monitoring and initiating registration (if contact is lost) of an SNMP device with a Management Station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing security against intrusion in the managed devices of a campus LAN network is provided. A managed hub discovers each interconnect device in the network that supports the security feature and maintains an interconnect device list of such devices, which may include token ring switches, Ethernet switches, bridges and routers. The managed hub detects an intrusion by an unauthorized address on one of its ports and notifies the interconnect devices of the intrusion by transmitting a security breach detected frame. After each interconnect device sets a filter on its respective ports against the intruding unauthorized address and sends a filter set frame to the managed hub, the port in the managed hub where the security intrusion occurred is reenabled.

Abstract: A system and method for providing security against intrusion in a campus LAN network is provided. A managed hub discovers each interconnect device in the network that supports the security feature and maintains an interconnect device list of such devices, which may include token ring switches, Ethernet switches, bridges and routers. The managed hub detects an intrusion by an unauthorized address on one of its ports and notifies the interconnect devices of the intrusion by transmitting a security breach detected frame. The interconnect devices set a filter on their respective ports against the intruding unauthorized address. The interconnect devices send a filter set frame to the managed hub which reenables the port where the security intrusion occurred, after all filter set frames are received. A network management station sends a security clear condition frame to remove the filters.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a LAN bus segment hub topology is provided. Each of a plurality of hubs attached to a LAN bus segment is identified by a network management station, wherein each hub includes a plurality of identifiable ports. A connection table is generated in association with each of the plurality of hubs by the hub's agent, wherein the connection table associated with a selected hub lists all remaining hubs of the plurality of hubs and an identifiable port of the selected hub through which each remaining hub of the plurality of hubs communicates with the selected hub. Last, a single correlation table is generated from the generated connection tables by merging the associated connection tables for all identified hubs indicating whether each hub attached to the LAN bus segment has a direct or an indirect connection with every remaining hub of the plurality of hubs.