Abstract: A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include initiating a transaction with the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving at least one price from the point-of-sale terminal, determining whether the at least one price satisfies a price warning condition, and transmitting a first audible signal if the at least one price satisfies the price warning condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for pricing financial transactions by defining product rules, providing links to appropriate price tables, and calculating a price for a financial transaction. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a product rule corresponding to a financial transaction. The product rule contains mandatory attributes and optional attributes. Optional attributes may be looked up using identifiers constructed from said mandatory attributes. Optional attributes include a link to a price table which contains further attributes, including a pricing method. A price is then calculated in accordance with the pricing method. Billing is completed according to the billing method for the particular financial transaction.

Abstract: A novel Keno game is disclosed in which additional bonus numbers are randomly chosen and displayed in addition to twenty numbers randomly picked for game play. When there are a first predetermined number of matches between the additional bonus numbers and the random twenty numbers the player is awarded a bonus, and the type is bonus is identified by a selection made by the player. The type of bonus is printed out on a bonus ticket that is dispensed to the player. In a subsequent round of Keno game play a player is prompted to insert certain types of bonus ticket if there is a second predetermined number of matches between the additional bonus numbers and the twenty random numbers the player is prompted to insert into the Keno game machine types of bonus tickets that they hold. When the player inserts a bonus ticket it is read and retained and a subsequent round of Keno game play is modified according to the type of bonus identified.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing transaction fee information to a customer. The apparatus and methods may provide to a customer at a merchant point of sale terminal information regarding a transaction fee. The transaction may be based on the customer's credit card or other purchasing instrument. The transaction fee may be imposed by an issuer of the credit card. The merchant may be required to pay the fee. The point of sale terminal may be configured to provide an opportunity for the customer to decide, based on the transaction fee, whether to continue the transaction or obtain information about fees associated with other credit cards.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, program, product and system for managing the sale of a product. The system can determine if the product is a slow seller, determining a markdown to be applied to a price of the product, reconciling a markdown budget with the determined markdown to be applied to the price to determine whether the markdown will be applied, and adjusting the price of the product by the markdown. The system can also apply manual pricing data and promotion pricing data. The system integrates several tasks required for selling articles and services.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating a transaction between at least one user, at least one merchant, at least one associate is provided. The method includes the steps of the associate processing device transferring into the user processing device a first merchant link for a first merchant Web site on a first merchant processing device. The first merchant link is framed with associate information. The user selects the first merchant link. The associate processing device transfers into the user processing device information regarding a first product from the first merchant Web site. The user selects the first product to purchase. The user provides purchase information for purchasing the first product. The user processing device transfers the purchase information to the associate processing device. The associate processing device adds promotional information to the purchase information responsive to the user identification value.

Abstract: A variable price on-line printing system includes printing and finishing resources, and an on-line server to receive print job data and electronic requests for use of the printing/finishing resources from customer workstations. A dynamic price database includes data that describe current and anticipated future demand for the printing/finishing resources. An automated dynamic price offer generation process accesses the dynamic price database and derives a dynamic price for use of at least one of the printing/finishing resources based upon current and anticipated future demand as indicated in the dynamic price database. A user interface engine receives input from the automated dynamic price offer generation process and outputs price offers to the customer workstations, including the dynamic price associated with a printing/finishing resource, wherein the dynamic price is tailored to shape demand for the printing/finishing resource. The customer can accept or decline the dynamic price offer.

Abstract: A network mobility server, which includes a target device inventory module, a data collection module, a data management module and a distribution module. The data management module, includes at least one data storage module, in which at least a portion of the data stored therein are identical data items stored in different selected formats suitable for use on mobile computing and telecommunication devices. The network also includes network agents, resident on numbers of the network members.

Abstract: A repeated transaction index (RTI) for estimation of a home price index (HPI) that controls for systematic bias. Purchase transaction records are used to estimate an HPI for areas large enough to have sufficient transaction data. Bias is removed from non-purchase transaction records using the HPI. All available data is used to estimate a localized HPI that pertains to smaller geographical areas (e.g., zip codes, neighborhoods, etc.) after correction of the biases in the non-purchase transaction records.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: This invention is related to electronic information transfer between trading partners and more particularly to the use of a physical item identifier affixed to a physical item for tracking the item using physical identification systems. The invention further discloses the catalogs, catalog queries and processes to provide the information to initialize the item in the physical identification systems. In the present invention, a machine-readable item identifier is affixed to a physical item. The identifier is unique and is used to identify the item. The item identifier has three segments: 1) catalog identifier, 2) item description identifier, and 3) physical item identifier. The catalog identifier is used to determine the catalog that provides the item description and a description specific to the physical item. The item description identifier is used to query the catalog, which returns the description of the item.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for locating designated electronic shelf labels. A locator device transmits commands to a designated label, causing a label to take on distinctive characteristics, for example showing a characteristic display. Alternatively or in addition, the locator device detects transmissions from labels within range and provides an indication, such as an audible tone or a serial number display, when an identified label is within range. A user may enter a serial number of one or more labels using a keypad, or may upload one or more serial numbers to the locator device. The user then moves with the locator device around a location where labels are in use. Depending on the design of the device, the device broadcasts commands to labels to cause the labels to take on identifiable characteristics, detects serial numbers of labels based on transmissions from labels within range, or both.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) based checkout system comprises an NFC enabled mobile telephone that reads product data from an NFC tag associated with a product. The mobile telephone updates a shopping list when the consumer scans an item. The consumer uploads the shopping list at a payment terminal at the checkout via an NFC link. The payment terminal connects with a price look up (PLU) database and downloads the price data for the items in the shopping list to provide a total price. The payment terminal requests authorisation of the total price from the consumer's financial authorisation.

Abstract: A method and system to evaluate the maintenance costs of products, having learning and application phases. Each phase is divided into two steps. The first analyzes product characteristics. The second is based on maintenance agreement conditions. During the first step of the learning phase, a first maintenance cost is estimated over the domain of a first variable representing product characteristics. Correction coefficients, based on other product characteristics, may be estimated to improve the first maintenance cost estimation. During the second step new correction coefficients are estimated according to maintenance agreement conditions. During the application phase, a first maintenance cost estimation is done according to the modality of the first variable, and adjusted depending on other product characteristics and maintenance agreement conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a system and method for ensuring a desired profit percentage in a business that provides a service for fees. Businesses will know what prices to charge for any profit level desired. Three profit areas can be used to arrive at a service fee; labor, equipment, and inventory. Input of a desired profit will automatically recalculate how billable labor is charged out in each billable labor dollar of revenue. Preferably, electronic sales information is received that represents a sum of fees received for providing the service. Further, electronic inventory cost information is received that represents a cost of goods sold during the course of providing the service. Moreover, electronic billable labor cost information is received that represents a cost of billable labor, and electronic non-billable labor cost information representing cost of non-billable labor.

Abstract: A method of and system for classifying retail products and services. The method of classifying retail products and services includes defining a price level group in a computerized system, wherein the price level group includes a price schema having a plurality of price levels, and wherein each price level is associated with a price band category. The method also includes assigning the price level group to a grouping of at least one of services and retail products.

Abstract: A preferred set of prices for a plurality of products, generally demand coefficients is provided. Cost data including activity-based costs is also received. A preferred set of prices that will provide a local optimum for the preferred set of prices which maximizes profit is then determined. In one embodiment, a sales model and a cost model are created. A plurality of rules is specified. The preferred set of prices is then determined based on the sales model, the cost model, and the plurality of rules.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and program for user to contract a total ownership value by calculating premium (booking fee and buy back fee) both in monetary terms or premium. Calculation of booking fee and buy back fee for a motor vehicle is disclosed allowing the user to purchase and/or sell a vehicle at the both prices of his own choosing within a future period whereby premium in consideration provides a right but not an obligation.

Abstract: A facility for collecting pricing information is described. The facility serves a web page to a client computing system. The served web page contains a first control operable to order a selected item from a selected vendor. The web page further contains a second control operable to submit a price charged for the selected item by a vendor other than the selected vendor. At a later time, the facility receives from the client computing system information that indicates that the second control has been operated to submit a price charged for the selected item by a vendor other than the selected vendor.

Abstract: A system includes one or more computers associated with a buyer for locally generating price quotes. The one or more computers receive a pricing tool from a seller, the pricing tool operable to generate price quotes for the seller, and locally store the pricing tool received from the seller such that the pricing tool is locally accessible to the one or more computers associated with the buyer. The one or more computers access a request for quote (RFQ) specifying an order including quantities of one or more items, the RFQ requesting a price quote for the order, and communicate the RFQ to the locally accessible pricing tool. Using the locally accessible pricing tool received from the seller, the one or more computers locally generate a price quote for the order. The one or more computers provide the locally generated price quote for the order for possible further action by the buyer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device containing software adapted to execute on and instruct a host computing device. When executing the software, the host computing device may recognize financial account fields in a web page during a browsing session and automatically fill these fields with financial account information stored on the portable device to facilitate a web-based transaction. The portable device may contain information relating to multiple financial accounts.

Abstract: An electronic label wirelessly connected to a product information updating system. The electronic label includes a wireless communication interface to receive information from a server to be displayed on a display, a means for processing connected to the communication interface, a means for updating the display connected to the means for processing, and at least one dot matrix display to display a dot matrix image, where the dot matrix display is connected to the means for updating the display. The communication interface receives the information to be displayed from the product information updating system. At least a part of the dot matrix display displays a first barcode that can be scanned by a barcode scanner, where the first barcode identifies the electronic label or a product linked to the electronic label.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adjusting prices of items using a processor based upon the category to which the item is assigned, wherein the items are of the type that are deliverable over a network. A system includes memory for storing group indicators with regard to the items and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory for adjusting the prices of items.

Abstract: A random weight item transaction system include a scale with label RIFD tag functionality, service person RFID tag functionality and customer RFID tag functionality. A slicer in proximity to the scale may include service person and bulk food product RFID functionalities. The scale may make weigh transaction data available to a computerized checkout system via a communications link or via writing the information to the label RFID tag.

Abstract: An electronic label wirelessly connected to an information updating system having a server. The electronic label includes a wireless communication interface to receive information from the server to be displayed on a display, a means for label processing connected to the communication interface, a means for updating the display connected to the means for label processing, and at least one dot matrix display to display a dot matrix image, where the dot matrix display is connected to the means for updating the display. The communication interface receives the information to be displayed from the information updating system. The label includes a layout script such that the means for label processing generates the dot matrix image from the received information using the layout script.

Abstract: Product incentive distribution systems and methods are disclosed. One such system includes a product incentive distribution unit placed at a retail location in association with a product and configured to electronically receive product incentives. The product incentive distribution unit includes a display configured to display product information and product incentive information and a communication port configured to transmit product incentive information to a data communications device. The system also includes a handheld data communications device having a communication port configured to receive product incentive information and a memory configured to collect product incentive information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an RBE that uses a logical abstraction for a set of application rules that allows the rules to be implemented, presented and modified efficiently. For one embodiment, rules logic for implementing a set of application rules is stored. The rules logic is specified by a processing sequence using one or more application factors, each of which has one or more application factor values. A plurality of entries corresponding to each application factor is separately stored. Each entry contains a data point set having one or more data points and a result corresponding to the data point set. Each of the one or more data points of a data point set corresponds to a distinct factor value.

Abstract: A point-of-sale terminal determines an upsell to offer in exchange for a round-up amount in connection with a purchase. In one embodiment, the point-of-sale terminal preferably maintains a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell to offer a customer in exchange for a round-up amount (e.g., change due the customer).

Abstract: When decoding a datacode based on moving image data output from an image sensing device, moving image data output from the image sensing device is input. An image display output unit processes the moving image data and displays it on the display screen of a display as a real-time moving image.

Abstract: Self-service terminals for sampling items of playable content. The terminal includes input means for inputting selection information, and reproduction means for replaying parts of selected items. The terminal may also include means for ordering and payment information, and may be located in high density retail sites.

Abstract: A wireless consumer transaction system and method includes wireless equipment coupled to a point-of-sale system, whereby consumers are enabled to set up and carry out point-of-sale transactions in an automated or semi-automated manner using a wireless device. Users entering within the coverage area of the wireless equipment are prompted to conduct a point-of-sale transaction. The point-of-sale system transmits menu options to the user's wireless device. The user selects from the options provided, and is given the ability to purchase the desired goods or services in an automated manner using the wireless device. The wireless equipment of the point-of-sale system is preferably coupled to a point-of-sale computer, which is in turn coupled to a remote processing center. An automated purchase transaction may be conducted by obtaining approval and/or automatically withdrawing funds from the remote processing center in response to user-initiated activity.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a first price of an item in a first group for sale utilizing a processor, offering the item in the first group for sale at the first price, selling one or more orders for the item in the first group at the first price to a purchaser, delivering the item to the purchaser, pricing the item at a second price with the processor based at least on the one or more sales of the item at the first price, and offering the item for sale at the second price.

Abstract: An electronic label, which is wirelessly connected to a product information updating system, said label comprising at least one display (3; 11,13,15) adapted to display product information. According to the invention the display (3; 11,13,15) has a transparent or semitransparent backside and is adapted to be lit up from behind.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving item data at a network-based computer system, the item data related to an item categorized in at least a first category of a plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system and including an item price-based value associated with the item. A category-specific threshold price-based value, for the first category of the plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system, is automatically determined. The item data is automatically determined to the irregular, based on the item price-based value associated with the item and the category-specific threshold price-based value for the first category of the plurality of categories supported by the network-based computer system. Responsive to the determination that the item data is irregular, an entity associated with the item is restricted from using the network-based computer system.

Abstract: In an automated exchange system functions for automatic hedging and automatic price improvements are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying information to a customer during a point-of-sale transaction by showing the information about the customer's purchase and infomercial on a single display screen. A PC-based POS system with the ability to control two display units is used. The cashier uses one of the display unit while the other is targeted to the customer. The description, price, and quantity of items scanned or entered in by cashier are shown on the customer display, along with an area programmable for advertisements, promotional offers, customer discounts, coupons, or the like. As a result, the merchant will get the additional revenues from up-sells and advertisements displayed on the customer screen, while the customer can monitor the checkout process to ensure correct pricing.

Abstract: The invention is related to a storage cabinet (12, 14or at least one of refrigerated and frozen goods (22, 24) for sale through that the cabinet door opens via entering of a door opening code in a payment terminal (18) with scanning equipment (20) for reading of codes which identify said goods (22, 24). The goods which are purchased by lifting them out of the cabinet (12, 14) are scanned with the scanning equipment (20) and are debited to a purchasing account associated with the door opening code. The cabinet is locked when the cabinet door closes. Further the cabinet rests (12, 14) on a weighing device (30). If a predetermined difference between the scanned goods' (22, 24) weight and the cabinet's (12, 14) weight occurs, the weight difference is registered in a transaction data file associated with the door opening code, wherein loss of goods (22, 24) is registered on a known purchasing account.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a system for determining prices so that the price of a poor-selling product is decreased, and the price of a well-selling product is increased, so as to ensure profit and achieve more effective inventory management. The retail price output system of the present invention comprises setting means in which a reference price of a product is set, recognition means for recognizing an order quantity from a customer for a product, pricing means for increasing or decreasing the list price of the product with respect to the reference price according to the order quantity for the product and an inventory quantity of the product, and price outputting means for outputting data for list price determined by the pricing means to a customer computer, wherein the list price of the product may be increased with respect to the reference price.

Abstract: In a method and system for providing location-based targeted information without requiring location sensing, items are scanned while the customer shops. The sequences in which items are scanned are collected and analyzed to determine the next probable item for a currently scanned item. The next probable item will generally be physically near the currently scanned item. Information for a next probable item correlating to a currently scanned item can then be displayed to the customer. In this manner, location-based targeted information can be provided without requiring location sensing. This significantly reduces the cost of the system.

Abstract: A POS terminal provided in accordance with the present invention receives the items in a purchase. Typically, each item will have a bar code that is scanned by a bar code scanner, and the POS terminal in turn receives, from the bar code scanner, signals representative of the items. The POS terminal then determines an upsell based on the items, and a rounded price that the customer may pay for both the items and the upsell. The rounded price may be determined by rounding up the purchase price to a predetermined multiple, such as to the next higher dollar amount. The customer is provided with an offer to exchange the items and the upsell(s) for the rounded price, and the customer in turn responds to the offer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, the items and the upsell are exchanged for the rounded price. If necessary, the POS terminal makes appropriate adjustments to stored indications of available quantities of items to reflect that the items and upsell(s) have been sold.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally, either in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR) or remotely at a master computer. The product price data is stored in the form of a price look-up (PLU) table. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR, local or master computers to and ECR emulation hub to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display, which will be located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers such as those made by manufacturers of the product.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label system which sends messages to electronic shelf labels based upon priority. The system includes an electronic shelf label, and a computer for assigning a priority to an unsent message to the electronic shelf label, for comparing the priority to other priorities of other messages which are unsent, and for sending the message if the priority is higher than the other priorities. The computer may also determine message priorities of types of messages.

Abstract: A system and method for interrelating alternative media-type commerce transactions allow a consumer to select and purchase an A/V product having a particular media-type and track the purchase and the media-type. The system and method include different pricing schemes for each A/V product and each media-type. Each A/V product is associated with a pricing scheme that interrelates pricing for purchases by the same consumer of the same A/V product for multiple media-types. In at least one embodiment, the system allows the consumer to make a second purchase of the A/V product and select an alternative media-type. In at least one embodiment, the first and second products have the same content form and a non-discounted price of the second selected product is higher than a non-discounted price of a first selected product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. In summary, the present invention describes a system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay. The method comprises the steps of accepting encrypted access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including a first encryption key and control data; decrypting the received access control information to produce the first encryption key; decrypting the program material using the first encryption key; re-encrypting the program material using according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and providing the re-encrypted program material and a fourth encryption key for storage.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally, either in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR) or remotely at a master computer. The product price data is stored in the form of a price look-up (PLU) table. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR, local or master computers to and ECR emulation hub to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display, which will be located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers such as those made by manufacturers of the product.

Abstract: A portable communication terminal requests merchandise information from a store management apparatus, by using store identity information about a store where a purchasing transaction is made, and merchandise information about merchandise to be purchased. The store management apparatus has a merchandise information storage configured to store merchandise information including a price of merchandise to be sold in each store. The store management apparatus receives a merchandise information request from a portable communication terminal, retrieves a merchandise information storage, detects merchandise information matching a retrieval condition, and sends the merchandise information to the request source, i.e., the portable communication terminal. The portable communication terminal displays merchandise information sent from the store management apparatus in a display.

Abstract: A multiuse system for use with Wireless Display Tags (WDTs) includes, in one or more exemplary arrangements, techniques for automatically maintaining synchronicity between pricing data for a product and advertising, marketing or promotional data associated with that product, and for detecting the proximity and location of a customer within a category of goods displayed within a managed environment. A messaging format suitable for such low power operation among a large number of peers is also disclosed, as is a technique for integrating a plurality of smaller displays to yield a single large display. An access point capable of serving as a communications hub within such a network, while at the same time offering visual and audio surveillance capabilities, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.

Abstract: An electronic price label (ESL) system for performing asynchronous ESL transactions. An event notification technique allows a communication base station (CBS) manager to directly notify an ESL manager when responses from an ESL are received, without the ESL manager needing to constantly poll the CBS manager. In one aspect, an inter-process communication layer (IPC) to allow for such event notification by the CBS manager. When initially beginning operation, the ESL manager subscribes to a CBS manager's event and provides the name of a function in the ESL manager to be called when this event occurs. When the ESL manager instructs the CBS manager to send a message to an ESL, the CBS manager provides the ESL manager with a handle or unique identification number to identify the message. When a response is received from the ESL, the CBS manager “fires an event” utilizing the IPC and indicates the identification number of the response.

Abstract: A product sales processing system includes a portable terminal; a cash register, a customer operating the portable terminal so that product codes are read and stored in the portable terminal, and payment is made at the cash register based on the stored data; and an intermediating device that connects the portable terminal to the cash register such that the portable terminal and the cash register can communicate with each other, the portable terminal comprising: a code reading section that reads the codes that are provided to products; a storage section that stores the codes which have been read by the code reading section; and a communication section that, when the portable terminal is connected to the intermediating device, transmits product purchase information which includes the codes stored in the storage section to the cash register via the intermediating device.