Abstract: Images of an unknown item picked from a store are tracked, the unknown item is identified during checkout and associated with a specific item having a specific item description. The images and the specific item description are obtained by a machine-learning item detector and processed during a machine-learning training session to subsequently identify the item when subsequent item images are taken for the item for subsequent transactions at the store.

Abstract: Item codes for items are mapped to multidimensional space as item vectors based on transaction contexts. Similarities between item codes are based on distances between the item codes within the multidimensional space. Substitute items for out-of-stock items are automatically identified based on the item similarities and based on collected feedback from transactions. The substitute items are provided in real time to customers during transactions, item picking services during item fulfillment, and shelf management services for item shelf stocking. In an embodiment, the substitute items are further determined based on a specific transaction history for a given customer and specific feedback collected for the given customer from the specific transaction history.

Abstract: A computing system and method has a pre-boot operating system stored in an encrypted form according to a first key on a first portion of a non-volatile data storage drive and a main operating system stored in an encrypted form according to a second key on a second portion of the non-volatile data storage drive. A system built in operating system (BIOS) chip is configured to initiate a first authentication process, obtain the first key after successful completion of the first authentication process, load and decrypt the pre-boot operating system into dynamic memory, and cause the pre-boot operating system to run. The pre-boot operating system is configured to initiate a second authentication process, obtain the second key after successful completion of the second authentication process, load and decrypt the main operating system into dynamic memory, and cause the main operating system to run.

Abstract: A computing device includes a hardware switch that is activated when a primary Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of a first BIOS chip of the device fails to load an Operating System (OS) image from an OS partition of a hard drive. The switch passes control to a backup BIOS that executes from a backup BIOS chip. The backup BIOS loads a recovery image from BIOS recovery partition of the hard drive, which causes a reflash application to execute from the recovery image. Reflash application obtains a recovery BIOS from the BIOS recovery partition of the hard drive, reflashes/writes the recovery BIOS onto the first BIOS chip and reboots the device. Following reboot of the device, recovery BIOS loads the OS image from the OS partition, and recovery BIOS becomes the primary BIOS on the first BIOS chip of the device.

Abstract: Images are captured of a customer during a transaction at a transaction terminal along with images associated with items of the transaction and any bags or cart used to hold the items. The images are processed to track any movement and locations of the customer, items, bags, and cart relative to a known location of the transaction terminal. When a transaction payment is required for the transaction and movement is detected in a direction that is moving away from the transaction terminal before a payment notification is received for the transaction, one or more alerts are raised as an indication to staff and/or security systems of a potential in-progress walk-away theft.

Abstract: A Self-Service Terminal (SST) that provides valuable media deposit features is enhanced with an apparatus fastened to an outside surface of the SST. The apparatus is adapted to receive an externally provided valuable media cassette and connect/interface a port of the cassette to an unload infeed port. A transaction interface is enhanced to identify the cassette as a source device for obtaining valuable media during a deposit transaction. The SST feeds the valuable media from the externally connected cassette through media validation and transport modules of the SST into cassettes of a safe and the SST returns rejected media for the deposit transaction back through the modules to return rejected media to the externally interfaced cassette.

Abstract: A provider-based platform analytics engine provides real-time analytics to online services for providers. The analytics are integrated into customer-facing interfaces of the online services for providing meaningful real-time information and recommendations to consumers during customer order processing.

Abstract: An option is set on a payment card of a card issuer. A request for payment for a transaction is received by a payment server of the card issuer from a merchant device/server. The payment server requests and receives a one-time token based on the option. An authorization indicating payment was successful is sent from the payment server to the merchant device/server with a flag set, the token, and a network address. Merchant device/server identifies the flag obtains the token and sends an e-receipt for the transaction along with the token to the network address. The e-receipt accessible from the network address by a consumer associated with the transaction. Furthermore, the e-receipt is obtained by the consumer without registering personal information or contact information with the merchant, which preserves the anonymity of the consumer with respect to the merchant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least a portion of a media item pathway are disclosed. The apparatus includes a transfer module comprising shafts that are rotatable and spaced apart in a substantially parallel relationship. A removable module is located with respect to the transfer module to selectively locate spaced apart rows of protruding guide elements with respect to the arm elements. At least one arm element comprises an abutment member that moves with the arm element and abuts with an abutment region of at least one guide element when a respective shaft element is rotated. A portion of a media item pathway is at least partially determined via opposed guide surfaces of the guide elements and the arm elements.

Abstract: A user provides retailer-specific consents for access and use to private/sensitive information of the user. The private/sensitive information is centrally stored in a privacy vault. Retail services (retailer) that the user subscribes to are provided a user-specific and consent-specific token representing the user and consents to usage of specific private/sensitive information of the user. When the retailer has a need for user-specific private/sensitive information, the retailer presents the user-specific and consent-specific token to the privacy vault. Assuming, the retailer was given access to the requested private/sensitive information defined in the token, the privacy results returns the requested information to the retailer; otherwise, an unauthorized message is returned from the privacy vault to the retailer. The user defines the consents to each retailer and a record of the consents is maintained in the privacy vault.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for mapping a virtual shopper to a physical shopper. The systems and methods may include receiving, at a backend system, unidentified customer data including information about an unidentified customer. Customer identity data including identifying information about the customer may be received from the customer. An authentication token may be generated that links the unidentified customer data to the customer identity data.

Abstract: A valuable media sanitizing/cleansing cassette is provided for sanitizing/cleansing surfaces of valuable media dispensed to a consumer during a dispense transaction at a transaction terminal. Dispensed media is urged from one or more media cassettes within the terminal along a transport path. The transport path is altered to pass the media through the sanitizing/cleansing cassette where the top and bottom surfaces of the media are illuminated with Ultraviolet (UV) radiation to eradicate any bacteria or virus that may be adhered to the top or the bottom surfaces of the media. Once the media passes through the sanitizing/cleansing cassette, the now sanitized/cleansed media is urged along a remainder of the transport path and dispensed from a media interface of the terminal to the consumer. In an embodiment, media deposited at the terminal is also sanitized/cleansed by passing through the sanitizing/cleansing cassette before being stored in the appropriate media cassettes.

Abstract: A slim-profile safe has a safe body that defines an interior space, and a safe door that is moveable between a closed position for securing the interior space and an open position for accessing the interior space. The safe door includes a fore portion and a recess portion that is offset from the fore portion by a recess angle. The fore portion defines a maximum depth of the safe, and the recess portion provides a reduced depth portion of the safe for the presentation of external hardware for operating a lock that releasably locks the safe door in the closed position, the recess portion being sufficiently offset from the fore portion such that the external hardware is positioned entirely sub-flush to a plane that extends parallel to the fore portion.

Abstract: A system and method for routing ATM transactions. A transaction request is received at an external application programming interface (API) associated with an account holder. The external API runs on a first processor. The transaction request is validated and authorized at the external API. Information about the transaction is forwarded from the external API to an internal API associated with an automated teller machine (ATM). The internal API runs on a second processor. A unique identifier is generated for the transaction request and provided to a user. The unique identifier is received from the user at the ATM without the user presenting any card and without connecting a mobile device of the user to the ATM. The unique identifier is provided from the ATM to the internal API to confirm a validity of the transaction. The transaction is implemented at the ATM by either dispensing cash or accepting a deposit.

Abstract: A natural-language voice chatbot engages a consumer in a voice dialogue. The chatbot is customized for engaging the specific consumer based on features and characteristics of that specific consumer's speech and a lexicon associated with terms, words, and commands for item ordering. The consumer can perform voice queries for specific items and/or specific establishments for placing a pre-staged order with the chatbot. Once the consumer selects options with a specific establishment, a pre-staged order is provided to the corresponding establishment on behalf of the user. Location data for a consumer-operated device is monitored and when it is determined that the consumer will arrive at the establishment within a time period required by the establishment to prepare the pre-staged order, a message is sent to the establishment to begin preparing the pre-staged order.

Abstract: Cash trapping at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is detected in real time. One or more images from one or more cameras are analyzed. The camera(s) is/are focused overhead of the ATM or on a cash slot of a dispense module for the ATM. The images are analyzed for determining one or more of whether the dispenser module is authentic, whether the cash slot opened or did not open when it should have opened for a cash withdraw, whether visual features of the dispense module have changed over a configurable period of time, and whether hands, gestures, and actions of a person present at the ATM indicate that cash trapping is taking place at the ATM. When cash trapping is detected at the ATM a variety of automated actions are processed, such as shutting down the dispense module, shutting down the ATM, notifying a financial institution, and/or notifying legal authorities.

Abstract: A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures for context-aided machine vision. For example, one method embodiment includes identifying a customer in a shopping area and maintaining an item bin in a computing system of data identifying items the customer has picked up for purchase. This method further includes receiving an image of the customer holding an item and performing item identification processing on the image to identify the item the customer is holding. The item identification processing may be performed based in part on a stored shopping history of the customer indicating items the customer is more likely to purchase. The identified item is then added to the item bin of the customer.

Abstract: Biometric features are derived from security data associated with a subject. The security data is obtained from a security device. A biometric value is calculated from the biometric features. The biometric value is anonymized to an identifier associated with the subject. The identifier is integrated with event data associated with a security system. In an embodiment, the security device is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) pad integrated into a transaction terminal, the security data is fingerprint data, which is read from a finger of the subject placed on a fingerprint reader integrated into the PIN pad, and the biometric value is a PIN calculated from fingerprint data during a transaction at the transaction terminal. In an embodiment, the security device is a security camera, the security data is a secure video stream, and the biometric features are facial features of the subject in the secure video stream.

Abstract: A pusher plate stacking bin apparatus is provided for a valuable media depository. The apparatus comprising a pusher plate driven by a rack and pinion apparatus to stack a media item that is in a final position within the apparatus onto a media stacking platform. The media item is urged into the final position such that a trailing edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a fixed media guide and such that a leading edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a hinged media guide with a bottom surface of the media item elevated above the media stacking platform. The rack and pinion apparatus drives the plate past the media guides causing the hinged media guide to drop and the media item to fold along the leading edge as the media item is stacked onto the platform.