Abstract: System and methods for performing a full cut and a partial cut of paper are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a system comprises a paper cutter system comprising a motor operable to move in either a first direction or a second direction. The paper cutter system also comprises a movable blade. The paper cutter system also comprises a cutter mechanism configured to move the blade to perform a full cut of paper when the motor moves in the first direction and move the blade to perform a partial cut of paper when the motor moves in the second direction.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to trigger one or more events during an interaction of a person with an item and within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes acquiring, using a first visual sensor disposed within the environment, image information including the item and identifying the item using the image information. The method further includes acquiring, using a second visual sensor disposed within the environment, behavior information for the person relative to the identified item, analyzing the behavior information to identify at least a first behavior of the person, and classifying the first behavior into one of a number of predefined behavior types. The method further includes performing, based on the identified item and the classified first behavior, one or more predefined events.

Abstract: A computing device selects an in-store shopper to fulfill an order placed by a remote buyer. In particular, the computing device receives a message via a communications network. This message comprises a purchase order identifying an item offered for sale at a retail store. The computing device identifies a plurality of people physically located at the retail store and selects, from the plurality of people, a shopper to retrieve the item from the retail store and deliver the item to a delivery location. In particular, selecting the shopper is based on a purchase price and corresponding procurement cost of the item. The computing device transmits an order fulfillment request to a communications device associated with the shopper. The order fulfillment request identifies the item.

Abstract: A Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal in a retail environment is communicatively connected to one or more POS peripheral devices. Each POS peripheral device is associated with a configuration file that defines configuration settings for the POS peripheral device and environmental context information for the POS terminal and the POS controller. The configuration files are prioritized according to various criteria, and used to re-configure POS applications executing on the POS to operate optimally with the particular POS peripheral device. Additionally, the prioritized configuration files control the POS applications to update the configuration information.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region that is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. The method further identifies a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior indicating that the first person is in the process of manually operating the access control device, and that the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, the method permits the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for enhancing a shopping experience that include: determining, by a self-checkout terminal, that a shopper invoked a help event; selecting, by the self-checkout terminal in dependence upon the help event, a shopper assistant to assist the shopper; and providing, by the self-checkout terminal to the shopper, distinguishing information identifying the shopper assistant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a user mode virtual serial communications port emulator are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method for a virtual serial communications port emulator includes using at least one processor and memory for creating a virtual serial communication port (VCP) driver in a user mode of an operating system. The method further includes emulating a physical serial communication port using the VCP driver. In addition, the method includes converting outgoing data from an application executed on the at least one processor and memory via the VCP driver into a format complying with a protocol associated with a VCP device server. The method also includes converting incoming data from the VCP device server complying with the protocol into a second format understood by the application, wherein the VCP driver is communicated with using an unpublished universally unique identifier (UUID).

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing retail processes based on machine-readable images and user gestures are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes capturing one or more images including a machine-readable image and a user gesture. The method also includes identifying the machine-readable image as being associated with a product. Further, the method includes determining whether the user gesture interacts with the machine-readable image in accordance with a predetermined gesture. The method also includes implementing a predetermined retail process in association with the product in response to determining that the user gesture interacts with the machine-readable image in accordance with the predetermined gesture.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to facilitate an audit of a checkout transaction, where the checkout transaction is associated with a virtual transaction record reflecting interactions of a person with a first set of one or more items of a plurality of items within an environment. The method includes acquiring image information including a shopping receptacle associated with the checkout transaction, and identifying a second set of one or more items of the plurality of items that are included in the shopping receptacle using the acquired image information. The method further includes comparing the first and second sets of items, and determining, based on the comparison, whether to perform an audit of the checkout transaction.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to perform a sale transaction are provided. The method includes identifying each item of a plurality of items, based on at least one image of the plurality of items, determining a cost for each item, optionally identifying a person based on an image of the person, adding each of the items and each of the costs to a sale transaction, and charging the person for the sale transaction.

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: Embodiments provide techniques for creating and managing accumulator tables for use in generating reports for a business entity. Embodiments include identifying a report for a business entity. A plurality of data fields are determined across two or more database tables that are used to generate the report. Embodiments include creating an accumulator table and populating the accumulator table with data values for all of the plurality of data fields. Upon receiving, from a point of sale system, an indicator of an occurrence of a business event for the business entity, an instance of the report is automatically generated using the populated accumulator table.

Abstract: A portable payment terminal (PPT) that is used to facilitate customer transactions in a mobile point-of-sale (MPOS) system is assigned to a particular tablet device. The PPT device may dock with to charge its batteries, and undock from the tablet device to facilitate customer transactions. To maintain a requisite one-to-one relationship between the two devices, a timer is started whenever the PPT device is undocked from the tablet device. Additionally, checks are performed to ensure that the PPT device is authorized to dock with the tablet device. If the PPT device remains undocked from the tablet device for a predetermined time period, or if the PPT device is not authorized to dock with the tablet device, the functions of the tablet device and/or the PPT device are disabled to reduce or eliminate the usability of the devices to a user.

Abstract: A network of cameras is disposed throughout a store, such as a grocery store, for example. The cameras are positioned so as to monitor the products available in the store, as well as the entrances and exits to and from the store. Customers are identified as they enter the store, and their movements throughout the store are tracked. The cameras capture images of the products selected by the customer and then send those images to a computer server. The server identifies each product selected by the customer, maintains a total price for all products selected by the customer, and automatically debits the customer's account for the total price upon detecting the customer leaving the store.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region within an environment having a plurality of items, wherein the secure region is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor disposed within the environment, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. Further, the method identifies, using image analysis a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior, and the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, deactivating a security element to permit the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing retail processes based on machine-readable images and user gestures are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes capturing one or more images including a machine-readable image and a user hand gesture. The method also includes identifying the machine-readable image as being associated with a product. Further, the method includes determining whether the user hand gesture interacts with the machine-readable image in accordance with a predetermined gesture. The method also includes implementing a predetermined retail process in association with the product in response to determining that the user hand gesture interacts with the machine-readable image in accordance with the predetermined gesture.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and mobile computing devices for purchase of items and delivery to a location within a predetermined communication range are disclosed. According to an aspect, a mobile computing device includes a first communications module having a predetermined communication range and configured to receive an indication of one or more items for purchase and delivery to a location within the predetermined communication range. The mobile computing device also includes a user interface and an item ordering manager. The item ordering manager is configured to receive user input via the user interface for selecting one or more of the items for purchase and delivery to the location within the predetermined communication range. The item ordering manager is also configured to use the communications module to communicate identification of the one or more of the items to a second communications module within the predetermined communication range.

Abstract: A Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal in a retail environment is communicatively connected to one or more POS peripheral devices. Each POS peripheral device is associated with a configuration file that defines configuration settings for the POS peripheral device and environmental context information for the POS terminal and the POS controller. The configuration files are prioritized according to various criteria, and used to re-configure POS applications executing on the POS to operate optimally with the particular POS peripheral device. Additionally, the prioritized configuration files control the POS applications to update the configuration information.

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.