Abstract: A network node associated with a retail store maintains personalized purchasing information identifying one or more products purchased by a customer. Each product is associated with one or more preference tags identifying a respective product category for the product, and indicating the customer's preference for products in that product category. Based on this information, the network node recommends products for the customer to purchase, and indicates those recommendations by controlling the customer's wireless device to visually indicate the location of the recommended products in the store.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for managing a return transaction within an environment having a plurality of purchasable item. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor disposed within the environment, first image information including a first person and including a first item associated with the first person. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. Further, the method determines, using image analysis performed on the first image information and based on one or more predetermined criteria, that the first item is eligible to be returned by the first person within the return transaction. Upon completion of one or more predefined return tasks specified for the first item within the return transaction, the method updates a first data structure representing an inventory of the environment to reflect the returned first item.

Abstract: A self-checkout (SCO) station for a retail store has a reconfigurable bagging section that receives items scanned by a user. The SCO station determines whether the user does or does not require the SCO station to operate in a mode that complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If so, the SCO station automatically reconfigures the bagging section to ensure that the user is able to reach all items in the bagging section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing and facilitating combined purchase of items by multiple customers are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving, from a computing device, notification by a first user to purchase one or more items. The method also includes determining whether to match the first user with a second user for combined purchase of the one or more items. Further, the method includes associating the first user with the second user for combined purchase of the one or more items in response to determining that the first user matches the second user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing security checks at a self-checkout kiosk in a retail store. The customers can create lists of items for purchase as they shop. When a customer is ready to pay, his list can be divided into sub-lists. Each sub-list can include items that require the same type of security check. The customer can then be provided with the sub-lists and an instruction for each sub-list that explains how the customer should arrange the items on the sub-list for a security check. After the customer has properly arranged the items on a sub-list, the relevant security check can be performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for multifunction system (MFS) control via associating a user with a MFS; outputting an initial audio cue based on an initial status of the MFS via an assistive computing device; receiving command inputs; transmitting the command inputs to the MFS; receiving an updated status from the MFS based on the command inputs; and outputting updated audio cues via the assistive computing device based on the updated status and/or via in response to receiving an association request, identifying a user profile; interfacing with an assistive computing device (having a microphone and a speaker) associated with the user profile; receiving an utterance captured by the microphone; locally processing the utterance according to a natural language processor to identify an action intent; performing the action intent via an MFS; and transmitting, for output via the speaker, a status of the MFS performing the action intent.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system that prevents return fraud is described. The POS system detects radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with an item at a time of purchase and when the item is returned. If there is no discrepancy between the detected RFID tags, then the item can be quickly returned without further inspections. If there is a discrepancy, a quick identification of missing parts and the return condition is determined based on missing RFID tags.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to identify one or more items in a transaction are provided. The method includes capturing images of the items, determining a set of possible identifications for each item based on the images, determining information regarding the transaction, selecting an identification for each item from the sets of possible identifications, based on the determined information, and adding the selected identifications to the transaction. Identifications for items may be selected based on confidence factors, price thresholds, and customer information.

Abstract: A system that includes a plurality of serially connected light emitting diodes (LEDs), a latch circuit, and a controller including logic is disclosed. A first plurality of bits is transmitted from the controller to a first LED of the plurality of serially connected LEDs. The plurality of serially connected LEDs includes the first LED, coupled to the controller, and a last LED coupled to the latch circuit. The controller determines that the latch circuit is set. The latch circuit is set based on an output of the last LED after the transmitting the first plurality of bits. The number of active LEDs in the plurality of serially connected LEDs is identified, based on determining that the latch circuit is set.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for compiling a virtual transaction for a person within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes acquiring, using at least one visual sensor, first image information including a person. The method further includes identifying the at least one person from the first image information by classifying the person into a class. The method also includes acquiring second image information including the person and an item. The method further includes identifying a behavior of the person relative to the item, and updating, based on the identified behavior, the virtual transaction.

Abstract: A price verification system for efficient verification of a transaction price when the price is disputed or missing is described. The price verification system uses current images of the item location within a retail environment to determine a shelf price for the item. The shelf price is compared to the price registered a point of sale terminal and displayed to the customer in order to determine if a price adjustment is needed.

Abstract: Techniques for configuration management are provided. A plurality of configurations is received, where each of the plurality of configurations corresponds to a respective service and is associated with a first plan. The plurality of configurations is stored, in association with the first plan, without implementing the plurality of configurations. Upon receiving approval of the first plan, the first plan is implemented by, for each respective configuration of the plurality of configurations: identifying a respective corresponding service for the respective configuration and modifying a configuration of the respective corresponding service based on the respective configuration. Upon completing implementation of the first plan, each of the plurality of configurations is labeled with a production identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the processing of information acquired by sensors within an environment are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a system includes multiple sensors configured to acquire information about an environment. The system may also include computing devices that are each operatively connected to a respective one of the sensors. Further, each computing device may be configured to determine an object and/or action within the environment based on the acquired information. The system may include a processing manager configured to determine whether a first computing device among the plurality of computing devices does not have predetermined resource availability for determining the object and/or action. The processing manager may control the first computing device to communicate the information to a second computing device for determining the one of the object and action in response to determining that the first computing device does not have the predetermined resource availability.

Abstract: A control server associated with a retail store places or assigns people that are determined to be socially interrelated into corresponding groups. When a group member becomes separated from the group, an image of that person is analyzed and used to identify his/her group. Once identified, the control server generates a notification indicating the current locations in the retail store of both the group and the person who became separated, and indicates a route the person can take through the store to reunite with the group.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium whose contents, when executed by a computing system, can cause the computing system to perform operations for an audited shopping system that include receiving scanned product information identifying a current product and an associated weight of the current product. An indication can be determined to place the current product in a selected bag among a plurality of bags. The associated weight of the current product can be added to a previous calculated weight of products in the selected bag to provide a current calculated weight of products in the selected bag and then all previous operations can be repeated until receiving an indication that shopping is done to provide a plurality of products that are distributed among the plurality of bags, wherein each bag has a respective calculated weight of all products in the bag and indicating a selected one of the plurality of bags as an audited bag for weighing.

Abstract: A computing device obtains information associated with creating a plurality of database triggers. The computing device processes this information to determine a list of foreign keys that directly link a plurality of database tables. At least two of these database tables, however, are not directly linked. Therefore, the computing device uses the list of foreign keys to generate an indirect table path that indirectly links these two database tables through one or more intermediary tables. So linked, the computing device can automatically generate the source code for creating the plurality of database triggers to verify the integrity of the data stored in all of the plurality of database tables.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide an extended vision within an environment having a plurality of items, where the extended vision is based on a field of view of a person determined using a first visual sensor, and is further based on at least a second visual sensor disposed within the environment. Image information from the first and second visual sensors is associated to produce combined image information. Selected portions of the combined image information are displayed based on input provided through a user interface.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to influence a person within an environment having a plurality of items for selection. The method includes determining, using a first visual sensor disposed within the environment, field of view (FOV) information for the person, and analyzing the FOV information to identify one or more first items within the FOV of the person. The method further includes determining, using a second visual sensor disposed within the environment, behavior information for the person and analyzing the behavior information to classify a behavior of the person into one of a number of predefined behavior types. The method further includes selecting, based on the identified one or more first items and the classified behavior, at least a second item for presentation to the person, and presenting information related to the second item to the person.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing modifiable files grouped into themed directories for presentation of web content are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes grouping a plurality of modifiable files into one or more directories for use by a World Wide Web application. Further, the method includes associating a unique theme with the one or more directories. The method also includes processing the files based on the theme for presenting web content.

Abstract: Patrons at a restaurant or bar can pay at their table using credit cards, without involving the restaurant or bar cashier and/or wait staff. Patrons are assisted using this system in dividing the bill by displaying the amount due (including tax) and allowing each patron to enter the amount they wish to pay. When the initial bill is presented, a balance due will be displayed and the indication will be provided that the bill has yet to be paid in full. As each transaction is entered, a running total will be displayed indicating the remaining balance due. When the running total reaches zero, the bill is paid in full, and an indication will be provided, such as by illuminating a green indicator light or by displaying a balance due of $0.00.