Abstract: A tiltenator of a media separator module (integrated within a valuable media depository) adaptively controls pressure maintained against a bunch of media as individual items from the bunch are fed through the media separator module.

Abstract: A valuable media cassette comprises a cover and a valuable media storage base. The cover comprises two ink bags filled with indelible ink. Each ink bag situated on opposing sides of an inside portion of the cover and encased by a blast energy collection plate such that portions of the bag extends partially through serrated teeth of the blast energy collection plate. The blast energy collection plates harness energy associated with a blast force causing the serrated teeth to displace and puncture the ink bags when a blast occurs. The indelible ink is dispersed throughout an inside of the cassette coating the valuable media stored in the cassette with the indelible ink and rendering the valuable media unusable or damaged.

Abstract: When a consumer checkouts out, the transaction interface presents a buy now pay later option selected by the consumer for payment of a transaction. Consumer information is collected through the interface and a registered financial institution (FI) is presented the transaction details and information for servicing a loan. Terms are provided from the FI and presented to the consumer through the interface. Acceptance by the consumer causes a smart contract with the terms and parties of the loan to be generated in a blockchain (BC) and payment processed by the BC by transferring funds from a FI wallet to a retailer wallet associated with the transaction.

Abstract: A method of encoding a transaction flow is described. The method comprises: receiving information from a user about a transaction type to be executed; creating a transaction flow comprising a sequence of states, where at least some states include text to be displayed and inputs to be enabled for that state; and encoding the transaction flow into a machine-readable code.

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 card reader prevents a magnetic read head of the card reader from being able to read a magnetic strip of a card and forces the card reader to read card data from an embedded chip of the card instead of the magnetic strip. An electromagnetic noise interference signal is generated and is maintained within the card reader. The signal prevents a magnetic read head of the card reader and any skimmer present within the card reader from reading the magnetic strip of the card. In an embodiment, the signal is generated and maintained as long as the card reader is powered on. In an embodiment, the signal is generated when at least one sensor of the card reader detects a presence of the card proximate to a card slot of the card reader, within the card slot, or within the card reader adjacent to the magnetic read head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extensible data pipeline. The extensible data pipeline can include detecting, by a backend system, incoming data at a spigot. The backend system can initiate a sequence of transforms upon detecting the incoming data. Each of the transforms can be operative to perform an operation on the data and output both transformed data and a status identifier. The status identifier can indicate a status of a transform operation for a respective one of the transforms. The transformed data from a final transform can be stored along with a final identifier indicating a status of the final transform.

Abstract: A system and method for converting an environmental signal surrounding the checkout terminal to a transmission signal is disclosed. The system verifies the accuracy of the transaction at the checkout terminal by analyzing the transmission signal produced by a signal transmission device, which activates upon a detection of a predetermined environmental signal caused around the vicinity of the checkout terminal. The detection of the predetermined environmental signal is performed by a sensor apparatus placed at the checkout terminal which monitors and senses environmental signals during the transaction of an item being purchased at a store.

Abstract: Machine-Learning Model (MLM) build technique is provided. Build instructions are normalized into a cloud-independent format. Each cloud identified in the instructions is assigned a specific adapter. The adapter translates the normalized format into a cloud-specific format and the adapters interact with configuration Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of the specific cloud to process the instructions in the cloud-specific format. As the adapters interact with the corresponding APIs, output feedback from the APIs is live streamed within an interface to a developer that provided the instructions for monitoring the builds simultaneously being configured on multiple clouds. When the build instructions complete with the APIs on the clouds, the user is presented an option to initiate an orchestrator that loads, initiates, and trains the MLM as a unique instance of the MLM on each cloud.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and devices for edge system health monitoring and auditing. One embodiment, in the form of a method includes performing a system audit over a first network of devices deployed within the facility to determine a status of each respective device. This embodiment further includes determining an overall system status for the facility based on results of the system audit including consideration of a status of each of the devices deployed within the facility and storing data representative of the overall system status of the facility. This embodiment also transmits at least a portion of the data representative of the overall system status of the facility over a second network to a facility system status monitoring application which may then present a single indicator of the overall system status or health.

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: Item images and item information for an item identified as being associated with a potential theft during a transaction at a transaction terminal are sent in real time to an alert controller of a management terminal. The item images and item information with transaction details are presented on a display for resolution by a clerk operating the management terminal. A timer is also set and a confidence score calculated representing a confidence level that the item is the subject of theft. When the timer expires and there is still no resolution provided by the clerk a decision is made as to whether to interrupt the transaction processing on the transaction terminal for assistance or whether to permit the transaction to complete on the transaction terminal based on the calculated confidence score.

Abstract: Examples of a system and method for transacting media at a self-service terminal (SST), are generally described. A method may include receiving a PIN on a user interface component of a media interface aperture cover. The method may include causing the media interface aperture cover to retract to dispense or receive media through a media interface aperture.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring patterns of commands provided by a self-service terminal controller, identifying potential fraud in the monitored patterns of commands, and suspending operation of a dispenser of the self-service terminal responsive to the identification of potential fraud.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for interacting with a consumer ledger. The systems and methods include: receiving a copy of the consumer ledger from one of a plurality of miners; adding a transaction to the consumer ledger; and transmitting the consumer ledger to the plurality of miners for conformation.

Abstract: A consumer is identified engaged in an activity at a specific physical location. A context is formulated for the consumer based on the activity, the location, preferences associated with the consumer, and a history associated with the consumer. A natural language voice-based assistance session is initiated with the consumer. The session follows the consumer as the consumer travels and remains engaged in the activity. In an embodiment, the session is seamlessly maintained and is seamlessly transferred from a plurality of different devices as the consumer is engaged in the activity and travels. In an embodiment, the session is initiated without the consumer requesting the session.

Abstract: An identity of a customer within an establishment is authenticated using a variety of captured biometric features obtained from sensors and/or video. Video capturing movements/interactions of the customer is analyzed in real time to identify the customer's behavior and actions. Any staff of the establishment who interact with the customer are identified from the video. Transaction data and other data retained for the customer by the establishment are aggregated and linked with the video and the customer identity. The linked data is analyzed in combination with the customer behavior and actions to determine responses within the establishment to customer-initiated transactions. In an embodiment, the customer is authorized to perform at least one transaction within the establishment based on the authenticated identity and linked data without a presentation by the customer of an identification card, a Personal Identification Number (PIN), a password and/or verification by a staff member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing one item of media at a time from an item of media container. The apparatus includes a movable element locatable in an abutting relationship with an elected item of media in a media container and disposed to vibrating against the elected item of media to permit the elected item of media to be subsequently be removed alone from the container.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, apps, and visualizations for floorspace management. In particular, some embodiments leverage mobile shopping and other technologies to identify when and where a customer selects items within a retail space and completes the purchase. This data is then stored and visualizations are generated from this data for areas and periods. Such embodiments enable identification of well-performing and under-performing areas of retail space based on criteria pertinent to the particular user.

Abstract: A vison-based self-checkout terminal is provided. Purchased items are placed on a base and multiple cameras take multiple images of each item placed on the base. A location for each item placed on the base is determined along with a depth and the dimensions of each item at its given location on the base. Each item's images are then cropped, and item recognition is performed for each item on that item's cropped images with that item's corresponding depth and dimension attributes. An item identifier for each item is obtained along with a corresponding price and a transaction associated with items are completed.