Abstract: Risky actions versus non-risky actions in a transaction are identified and a fraud score associated with probabilities of the risky actions is updated accordingly for purposes of determining whether the transaction is likely or not likely to be associated with fraud. A machine-learning model is trained to predict the risky actions versus non-risky actions of a transaction based on the transaction features as a whole and compare the predicted action labels of risky and non-risky versus the actual actions taken in the transaction to calculate probabilities of risky actions taken and output a risk or fraud score based thereon. Higher probabilities correlate with lower risk scores and vice versus.

Abstract: Various embodiments include at least one of devices, systems, methods, and software systems and method enabling communication and signaling devices. One embodiment is in the form of a method that includes receiving, via a network, data from a mobile device of an authenticated customer, including data of items for purchase scanned by the mobile device and storing the data of the scanned items for purchase in a cart data structure associated with an account of the authenticated customer. The method also includes receiving, via the network, data indicating the mobile device is located at a pay station and payment data from the mobile device to pay for items represented in the cart data structure. This method further includes transmitting, via the network and in response to the received payment data, a payment confirmation to the mobile device generated upon successfully processing a payment for items in the cart data structure.

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: A cross-entity and cross-retailer platform is provided that captures transaction data, indexes, and stores the data in a cloud-accessible data store. A service is provided that custom processes retailer and entity-defined workflows based on purchase transactions using the data store. The service also generates and maintains correlations between items, the transactions, geographical locations, retailers, and stores of the retailers. The correlations are provided as timely retail recommendations to the retailers and entities for suggested changes that are likely to optimize purchase transactions. The entities may comprise manufacturers of an item, a supplier of the item, a distributor of the item, and a Consumer Packaging Goods (CPG) company of the item.

Abstract: A user-operated device is assigned a unique tab number. The unique tab number is associated with an open order of a user. An interface is provided to the user-operated device for the user to control in real time the open order.

Abstract: A request for access to a user's account is made to an authenticator. The authenticator sends a request for access to the user associated with the user's account. In response to user authorization, the authenticator sends an access link to a service engineer. The service engineer access the link to access the user's account with limited and restricted access. When a remote service session associated with the activated access link is terminated, the authenticator sends a termination of session notice to the user.

Abstract: A network-based work assignment platform is provided. Employers and workers are registered on the platform. A registered employer posts a temporary job on the platform. The platform matches a registered worker to the temporary job. The platform facilitates, coordinates, and monitors performance of the temporary job by the registered worker and processes payment to the registered worker for performance of the temporary job on behalf of the registered employer.

Abstract: Images capture an object that a person in a frictionless store is looking at. A user interface is automatically initiated on a device identified as the object. If the person is holding an item, the user interface is automatically placed in a state that displays the item details and pricing within the user interface and provides a link to all item descriptions in possession of the user within the frictionless store along with a running price total of all the items. If the person is not holding any item, the user interface is automatically placed in a state that displays item details and pricing within the user interface to all item descriptions in possession of the user within the frictionless store along with a running price of all items.

Abstract: A consumer's location relative to specific products situated within a store are tracked. Observed consumer behaviors are noted as well as return visits to a particular product area by the consumer while in the store. A notification is provided to an engagement manager and automated consumer assistance or product purchase enticements are provided to the consumer while the consumer remains in the store as automated actions processed in response to the consumer behaviors.

Abstract: An item return transaction for an item is identified at a transaction terminal. The item is authenticated using multiple factors at least some of which are independent of item code identification for the item. A fraud score is calculated based on the multiple factors, item code identification, and data that is specific to a customer associated with the transaction, specific to the item, specific to a store associated with the transaction terminal, and specific to a retailer associated with the store. The fraud score and a customer-return grade for the customer are processed to determine whether the transaction can complete at the terminal without assistance or whether the transaction is to be held in abeyance for an audit (onsite audit or remote network-based audit). In an embodiment, the t terminal is a Self-Service Terminal (SST) and the transaction is a self-item return transaction conducted by a customer at the terminal.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a secure safe apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a base and a bollard. The bollard comprises a first portion and a second portion manufactured as a single vertical member. The first portion is of sufficient length to extend below a bottom surface of the base into ground at a site where the secure safe apparatus is set. The second portion is of sufficient length to extend through a thickness of the base and above a top surface of the base. The second portion is adapted to be inserted through an aperture in a floor of a safe and affixed to an interior beam manufactured within an inside of the safe to affix the second portion to the beam.

Abstract: An Application Programming Interface (API) is provided for interaction between a User Interface (UI) of a device and microservices provided from a cloud processing environment. The API provides a single device-type independent backend to the frontends of the microservices. The UI defines the data types and specific data that it needs for processing from a given microservice. The backend calls the appropriate microservice through the corresponding frontend of the microservice. The microservice may engage other microservices resulting in output being returned to the backend. The backend provides only the output associated with the data types and the specific data back to the UI.

Abstract: Features are extracted and tabulated for transactions on a per-operator basis. Metrics are derived from the features on a per-feature basis and on an aggregate bases for the features as a whole. Additional metrics are calculated on a per-feature basis and an aggregate bases for a group of operators. A current transaction being conducted in real time by a given operator has current features extracted and a risk score is generated. The risk score is compared against the metrics associated with the given operator and the group of operators. A determination is made as to whether the current transaction is fraud or is not fraud based on the comparison. When fraud is detected, an alert is raised, and the current transaction provided to a fraud system for further fraud evaluation.

Abstract: An Augmented Reality (AR) wayfinder tracks the current location of a user within an indoor location relative to a path defined through the indoor location for the user. The path is broken into segments, each segment is a straight line between two nodes, and each node represents either a starting point in the path, a turn along the path, or an ending point in the path. As the user traverses the path, a remaining distance between the user device and the next node in the path is calculated. An AR object with attributes that correlate to the remaining distance to the next node is blended into and superimposed into a video that the user is viewing through the user device of the physical environment as the user travels along the path.

Abstract: A scanner is integrated as a peripheral device into a POS terminal. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are selectively activated and deactivated during item scanning for items being processed during a transaction at the POS terminal. The activation and deactivation of the LEDs are visible to an overhead security camera during the transaction. The selective activation and deactivation providing indications during the transaction as to whether the items are successfully scanned or unsuccessfully scanned during the transaction as the items are passed in front of at least one scan window of the scanner.

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 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: 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.