Abstract: An image of a transaction receipt is obtained and optical character recognition (OCR) is processed on the image to identify a transaction identifier, a transaction total, and a handwritten amount associated with a transaction. When a confidence value associated with the OCR is above a threshold value, the handwritten amount is processed automatically through a transaction interface for the transaction to update the transaction total for the transaction.

Abstract: A host establishes an up-to-date, an automated, secure, and Peer-Two-Peer (PSP) communication session with a peripheral. During the communication session, the host controls serialization, prioritization, and delivery of messages being passed. Each message providing command instructions and/or information for processing between the host and the peripheral.

Abstract: A loyalty gamification server platform with a plurality of micro-services are provided. Custom-defined rules permit gamification elements to be integrated as enhancements into loyalty applications though interaction with the micro-services using a platform Application Programming Interface (API). Artifacts associated with rewards and status level of rewards are earned based on activities associated with transactions of a user in accordance with the rules. Social standing artifacts are also earned based on the same or different activities. In an embodiment, users form a community and a dashboard microservice permits each user's ranking relative to games, competitions, status, and social standing to be viewed relative to other users of the community as a dashboard presentation on a display of a transaction terminal or a user device.

Abstract: Software executing on a mobile device collects custom metadata for an image taken by a camera of a mobile device. The image with the custom metadata is sent from the software to an external network service. The external network service processes the custom metadata to at least determine a physical location of the image. In an embodiment, the physical location is used to uniquely identify the image and perform an automated transaction on behalf of a user that operates the mobile device.

Abstract: A voice-initiated item search is received along with a current geolocation of a device from which the voice-initiated item search was initiated. The search is translated to text, and the text search and the current geolocation are submitted as a search to locate an enterprise within a configured distance of the current geolocation and to locate a specific location for an item within that enterprise. The enterprise and the specific location for the item are provided back to an operator of the device as search results in voice and/or text. The geolocation represents a location of a consumer and the results provide enterprise specific item-level detail and item-location information for the item within an enterprise location for the consumer to quickly navigate to the item.

Abstract: Techniques for completing pre-arranged transactions which improve customer service. An example method includes receiving a signal from a beacon by a mobile communication device, sending a first message containing an identifier by the mobile communication device, and receiving a second message containing information for completing the transaction by the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an escrow module. The escrow module may include a drum, a first belt and a tape. The drum may have a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first belt may partially encircle the drum. The tape may have a first end attached to the drum and a second end attached to a spool. Upon rotation of the drum in a first direction, a first side of a media object may contact the tape and a second side of the media object may contact the first belt.

Abstract: A terminal selectively and passively monitors for predefined wireless network discovery advertisements/requests. Requests that match what are expected by the terminal or requests that are in a predefined format are verified. The requests lack any connection pairing passcode; rather, the passcodes are separately provided from connecting devices only after the discovery requests are verified. The terminal independently authenticates the passcodes before authorizing wireless sessions between the devices and the terminal. Wireless discovery settings are continuously changed by the terminal and are valid for only a preset time window, each setting corresponds to a Time-based One Time Password (TOTP) representing a passcode; the TOTP is dependent on and valid only for the corresponding setting and the corresponding time window. In an embodiment, the connection requests are preauthorized by a server for a time window in the future, and the terminal authenticates the requests without interaction with the server.

Abstract: Individuals, business transactions, and business activities are monitored for actions and behaviors of the individuals during performance of establishment processes through video feeds captured by cameras, sensor data captured by sensors, and information captured by transaction systems. Transaction/activity information associated with transactions/activities being processed by a transaction system of the establishment or performed by individuals within the establishment are monitored. The actions, behaviors, transaction information, activity information, and establishment processes are correlated to process controls, policies, and procedures of the establishment and logged. Non-compliant actions, behaviors, transaction information, activity information, and/or transaction/activity thresholds generate real-time remedial actions, such as audits, training, and notifications.

Abstract: An initial small group of customers are randomly selected for participation in a campaign associated with a promotion. Transactions of the group are monitored for a redemption of the promotion. A redeeming member's transaction is modeled and mapped into a multidimensional space and transactions for customers not included in the group are modeled and mapped into the space. A neighborhood of the redeeming member and select ones of the customers not included in the group are detected as emerging from the space. Most similar customers to the redeeming member are determined from the neighborhood and a preconfigured number of the most similar customers are selected for inclusion within the group for the campaign. This process continues until a goal of the campaign is reached or the campaign is ended.

Abstract: A system can visually track which items in a store are selected for purchase by a shopper. The system can form a virtual shopping cart by analyzing multiple images, over time, to determine which purchasable items are located with the shopper, such as in a physical shopping cart, in a basket, or held by the shopper. By analyzing multiple images, over time, the system can account for items misidentified in one or more images, or fully or partially obscured in one or more images as the shopper traverses the store. Alternatively, the system can form a virtual shopping cart by analyzing instances in which a purchasable item is removed from a shelf or placed on a shelf. Items removed from, but not returned to, a shelf can be considered to be selected for purchase. The system can include a frictionless checkout that charges the shopper for the selected items.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, and software for SST secure boot device order modification. One such embodiment, in the form of a method performed by a server, includes, receiving a request from a mobile device app to modify a boot order of a computer controlling operation of an SST. The method proceeds by authenticating the request. When the request is authenticated, the server performing the method then sends a command to the SST to modify the boot order of the SST.

Abstract: A natural language and messaging system integrated group assistant (assistant) is provided. The assistant is designated as an active participant within a group chat session on a given messaging platform. The assistant actively engages the group discussion around a decision on a given subject to define the subject's context. Once the context is defined, the assistant performs out-of-band searches to satisfy group criteria for a decision on the subject and provides results back to the group within a natural language written response. Group members vote on alternatives provided in the results and the assistant tabulates the votes to identify a specific decision and the assistant provides detailed information to the group on the specific decision within a natural language summary message.

Abstract: A system and method is described for detecting a foreign object inserted into a card reader. The card reader has a housing having an internal portion and a card entry slot formed therein. A reader device for reading information from a card is mounted within the internal portion of the housing. A transport mechanism is within the internal portion of the housing and includes a structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof. A camera is mounted within the housing above the transport mechanism in a position to allow an image to be taken of the upper surface of the structure of the transport mechanism. A controller is coupled to the camera to receive images therefrom and configured to compare each image received from the camera to a reference image to determine when a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.

Abstract: Users form custom-defined communities for performing a defined activity amongst themselves. An actor defines the activity and restrictions associated with the activity. Members of the community place requests for the actor to perform member-specific actions during the activity on behalf of the members. The actor performs the activity with the member-specific actions and arranges procurement of results associated with each of the members. The actor and the members may also settle up with one another at least upon procurement. The activity is crowd sourced within the custom-defined community, thereby reducing the need for the members to each individually perform the activity.

Abstract: Pre-staged deposit details for a deposit are received from a deposit interface and the details are linked to a code associated with a deposit bag. The code is subsequently scanned at a terminal, the pre-staged details are obtained based on the code, a lock box of the terminal is unlocked for the bag to be dropped into the lock box, a deposit transaction is processed based on the pre-staged details, and the box is locked. A real-time notification is provided within a staff interface that identifies the terminal and the transaction. The code is scanned when that bag is removed from the lock box and the pre-staged details are populated within the staff interface. Staff details are recorded for the transaction during a verification procedure. The staff details are posted to a financial institution backend system and any discrepancies between the pre-staged details and the staff deposit details are noted.

Abstract: A managed device associated with an error code is identified. An animation associated with physically manipulating a component and parts of the component for the managed device is generated. The animation representing a workflow for resolving the error code. A live video feed of the managed device and the physical surroundings of the managed device is presented within an Augmented Reality (AR) interface on a mobile device operated by a support person. The animation is rendered over a portion of the live video feed for the support person to view while following the workflow and physically manipulating the component and parts of the managed device to resolve the error code.

Abstract: Modular transaction terminal services are provided. The services are customized for specific features using configuration data maintained in files. The services communicate using a standardized data format and Application Programming Interface (API). An interface is provided for custom defining an instance of a processing environment for a target transaction terminal. Customizations are made to the files and process flow data structures that are processed by the services. The hardware requirements of the target transaction terminal are also obtained and an installation package is created for the target transaction terminal. The installation package is installed on hardware of the target transaction terminal and the processing environment initiated. The services, configuration data maintained in files, process flow data structures, and interface represent a modularized and customizable transaction terminal architecture.

Abstract: A SCO containing a single unified motherboard is generally described. The SCO includes a touchscreen display configured to provide a visible display for interaction with a user. The SCO also has a built-in scanning capabilities within the motherboard and connectors to connect to the display and other components of the SCO. The motherboard includes a multicore processor configured to control the scanning, the display and the other components. The scanning capability is configured to scan an item for a symbol, detect the presence of the symbol on the item, identify information on the symbol related to the item, and control the display to display an identity, price of the item, and print a receipt for a customer.

Abstract: Various embodiments each include at least one of systems, devices, methods, and software for multi-camera simultaneous imaging for multiple processes. Some such embodiments may be embodied in a dedicated appliance or chip while other embodiments may be embodied in a product scanner, in software, or in a combination of hardware and software. One method embodiment includes receiving images from a plurality of cameras, the images from each device captured at various illumination and exposure levels. This method then sorts the images based on illumination and exposure levels for distribution to a plurality of image processing services that each perform at least one task with regard to a received image and then presents the images to respective services for which they are sorted.