Abstract: Magnetic locking mechanisms, linear movement generators, and holders are disclosed. According to an aspect, a magnetic locking mechanism includes a first component defining a first recess. The magnetic locking mechanism also includes a second component defining a second recess. Further, the magnetic locking mechanism includes a third component being attached to a first magnet and capable of being positioned in a first position such that the third component is partially within the first and second recesses for holding the first and second components together in at least one direction. Further, the third component is capable of being positioned in a second position such that the third component is outside of the first recess.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving selection of a food, determining a measure of similarity between the selected food and a plurality of taste preferences, wherein the measure of similarity is based at least in part on a plurality of taste attributes of the selected food, wherein each attribute of the plurality of taste attributes specifies a respective magnitude of a fundamental taste, of a plurality of fundamental tastes, and wherein each taste preference in the plurality of taste preferences specifies a respective preference for each fundamental taste, and upon determining that the measure of similarity is within a similarity threshold, displaying an indication that the selected food is preferable relative to the plurality of taste preferences.

Abstract: Printers and printer systems for printing images on paper in different configurations and for dispensing printed paper in different directions are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a printer includes a body defining openings. A printing unit is positioned within the body and can receive an instruction for printing an image. In a first print mode, the printing unit can print the image on the paper in a first configuration and dispense the paper in a first direction through one of the openings of the body. In the second print mode, the printing unit can print the image on the paper in a second configuration and dispense the paper in a second direction through another of the openings of the body. A sensing component can determine whether the printer is in the first print mode or the second print mode.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation comprising receiving, via a computer network connection, information for a product scan indicating that a product has been scanned for purchase by a mobile checkout application executing on a mobile device, and storing, in a computer-readable storage medium, a plurality of attributes describing the product scan and identification information of an image capture device in the retail store configured to capture video of the product scan.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose an interactive order fulfillment system, as well as a corresponding method and computer-readable storage medium, in which indications of order fulfillment status are displayed onto a surface of a receptacle used for fulfilling the order. The interactive order fulfillment system may operate as a virtual receipt with which an employee may interact to more efficiently fulfill the order.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product for performing an operation, the operation comprising operating a tablet in a work mode when the tablet is oriented according to a first orientation, operating the tablet in an alternate mode when the tablet is oriented according to a second orientation, and outputting a content for display on the tablet based on a current operating mode of the tablet.

Abstract: Because a touch controller may not be capable of providing a signal to indicate when to provide audio feedback, a computing system may include a touch event detector that is located in a communication channel between a touch controller and a processing system (e.g., a processor and main memory of a computing system). The touch event detector may monitor the touch data as it is relayed from the touch controller to the processing system via a communication hub. Once the touch event detector identifies a relevant touch event (i.e., a touch event that should provide audio feedback to a user), the touch event detector transmits an instruction to an audio output device (e.g., a speaker) which then generates the audio feedback.

Abstract: A method and a near field communication (NFC) device are described for authenticating NFC devices to limit or prevent unauthorized use. The method and NFC device selectively enable an NFC tag, so that communication between the NFC device and another NFC device may be enabled only after a user has provided authentication. The authentication device of the NFC device may include a piezoelectric element that provides power and authentication data to a processor that performs the authentication operation, which may include matching an authentication signal to a stored authentication signal.

Abstract: To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.

Abstract: Multiple users may interact with the multiple touch monitors simultaneously. For example, a point-of-sale (POS) system may include two touch monitors (e.g., one facing the cashier and another facing the customer) that are controlled by the same operating system. To provide audio feedback to both users, the operating system needs to know on which monitor the touch event occurred. However, because the operating system may use a shared coordinate region, it only knows that a touch event occurred within the region but not know on which monitor. As such, embodiments herein describe a filter module that identifies a specific location of a touch event within the shared coordinate region and maps that location to one of the touch monitors. Once the specific touch monitor is identified, the filter module sends an instruction that causes a speaker assigned to the identified touch monitor to output the audio feedback.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for storing or updating authentications, e.g., passwords, in a boot code image, i.e., binary executable boot code, stored within a Read Only Memory (ROM), e.g., flash ROM, of a terminal from a remote central site. An authentication may be stored in the boot code image in a terminal from a central site by creating a file comprising a boot code image storing the authentication at the central site and then storing the created file in ROM in the terminal. The file may be downloaded from a server at the central site to the terminal. An authentication in the boot code image in a terminal may be updated remotely from a central site by updating the file associated with the boot code image, i.e., updating the authentication, at the central site and then downloading the updated file to the terminal.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer program product are provided for adjusting brightness of an optical touch panel. The optical touch panel comprises a microprocessor, a display module including a back light source, and an optical position detection device including optical transmitting devices and optical receiving devices. The method comprises detecting, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level on the display module. The method further comprises generating, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level signal indicative of the detected current ambient light level and transmitting the current ambient light level signal to the microprocessor. Furthermore, the method comprises adjusting, via the microprocessor, brightness of the back light source based on the current ambient light level signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a shopping planner based on identification of shopping predictors are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving user interface content. The method also includes determining one or more shopping predictors based on the user interface content. Further, the method includes adjusting a shopping planner based on the identified shopping predictor(s).

Abstract: A local Point-of-Service (POS) server can receive requests from POS terminals on the local network that are unable to communicate with a central POS server due to, for example, a loss of network connectivity. The local POS server can generate transactions based on the requests, and store the transactions in a queue. The local POS can then transfer the queue to a recovery agent executing on the central POS server once connectivity has been restored. The central POS server can process a transaction by invoking an API of an order management system using a command and input parameters comprised within a transferred transaction.

Abstract: A system for automatically determining a configuration of an I/O connector panel is disclosed. The system provides information about the capabilities of the connector card to a memory within the connector card, examining the information in the memory. The system further downloads at least one driver to a system coupled to the I/O connector panel based upon the examined information. The I/O capabilities of a platform (as determined by an I/O panel or other hardware that contains some identification mechanism that defines the I/O capabilities) is within the connector card. This mechanism is then used to determine what software to “preload” into a system so that as new I/O devices are added in the field, the required software for these devices has already been preloaded.

Abstract: Printers having a stationary print head and related methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a printer includes a body defining a slot for movement of paper substantially within a plane. The printer also includes a stationary print head positioned adjacent to the slot. Further, the printer includes a first paper feed system configured to move the paper within the slot in a first direction. The printer also includes a second paper feed system configured to move the paper within the slot in a second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using transaction data associated with a loyalty program identifier to conduct a purchase transaction are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes initiating a purchase transaction at a shopper terminal. The method also includes receiving, at the shopper terminal, a loyalty program identifier of a shopper. Further, the method includes associating the loyalty program identifier with transaction data for the shopper. The method also includes conducting the purchase transaction at the shopper terminal based on the transaction data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeting an appropriate level of instructions to an associate of a point of sale device are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method may be implemented at a computing device comprising a processor and memory. The method includes initiating a transaction associated with a product identifier. The method also includes identifying a user associated with the transaction. The method also includes determining multiple transaction processing instructions for the product identifier. The method also includes selecting one or more of the transaction processing instructions based on product identifier and the identified user. Further, the method includes presenting one or more of the transaction processing instructions.

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: Systems and methods for indicating an electronic device fan condition based on change of fan rotation speed are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a change of rotation speed of an electronic device fan. Further, the method includes determining whether the change of rotation speed meets a predetermined criterion. The method also includes indicating a fan condition in response to determining that the change of the rotation speed meets the predetermined criterion.