Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, at least a video signal from a head mountable unit worn by a consumer in a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, an indication of depleted stock in the retail store in response to the video signal received from the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a restock signal in response to the identifying step.

Abstract: Example systems and methods that rank search results are described. In one implementation, a method receives an initial search query from a user and identifies a reference to a color in the initial search query. A second search query is created by re-writing the initial search query without reference to the color in the initial search query. The second search query is executed to identify multiple products. The method identifies a particular product within the multiple products that includes the color in the initial search query and increases a ranking score associated with the particular product.

Abstract: Example mobile payment systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a mobile device creates an order with an online marketplace. The mobile deice captures an image of a negotiable instrument and communicates the image to the online marketplace along with a request to pay for the order using the negotiable instrument. The negotiable instrument is validated by the online marketplace. The mobile device receives a notification from the online marketplace indicating whether the request to pay for the order using the negotiable instrument was accepted.

Abstract: Example systems and methods that select search result images are described. In one implementation, a method accesses a ranking of multiple products associated with a search query and identifies a reference to a color in the search query. The method identifies a first product from the ranking of multiple products and identifies multiple product images associated with the first product. A color determination is made regarding each of the multiple product images. A product image having an associated color that is most similar to the color in the search query is selected for presentation in the search results.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for maintaining product available on store shelves. An optical code is positioned adjacent a location where a product is located when in stock. A customer finding the product to be out of stock may scan the code and report this fact. A computer system receives the notification and may transmit a message to an employee computing device. Notice of restocking or unavailability may be transmitted from the employee computing device and subsequently reported to a customer computing device. A location of the user computing device may be reported to an employee to facilitate hand delivery of the product if available. Where inventory is not available at a store, notice of availability at a proximate store may be transmitted to the customer computing device. An incentive in the form of a promotion or points may be assigned to notifying customers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing an estimate of the delay to check out at a store for a target time and date. A user computing device may receive or infer target data such as a time, date, and location at which a user would like to go shopping. The target data may then be input to a delay model for a target location. The delay model returns a checkout delay estimate that is provided to a requesting user. In some embodiment, alternate locations to a target location that provide a shorter wait time may be identified. In some embodiments, delay estimates may be based on throughput data for cashiers working at a target time. The delay model may be trained or updated using observations of wait times based on images of a queue at a POS station.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for allowing a customer to create a digital shopping cart on a mobile electronic device while shopping at a brick and mortar store. The customer may scan barcodes, e.g. UPC variants, from a product with the camera of the mobile electronic device and record these product barcodes into the mobile electronic device. The shopping cart contents may be transferred to a checkout register without a data connection between the register and the device. The mobile electronic device may create one or more 2D barcodes with the item information embedded into the 2D barcode and may display the barcode on the device screen. Multiple 2D barcodes may be displayed in sequence. The 2D barcode may be scanned at the checkout register to read the barcode and thereby transmit the shopping cart information to the checkout register.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining a route a consumer takes while traversing a retail store are disclosed. The embodiments include determining a store location of a retail store and a map corresponding to the layout of the retail store, receiving waypoint data including a plurality of positions within the map corresponding timestamps, determining a route in response to the waypoint data, and providing the route and the map for display.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: A method to provide an active parking system includes receiving, at a portable computerized device, parking preferences of a user for a parking facility of a retail store, determining, within a parking space index server, an availability status of each of a plurality of parking spaces of the parking facility, identifying, within a computerized device, a preferred parking location for the user based upon the parking preferences and the availability statuses, and displaying, at a computerized display, directions for the user to navigate to the preferred parking location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of positioning at least one light source at a position in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a position detection server, a video signal from an electronic device possessed by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. At least one image frame of the video signal contains the at least one light source. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, a location of the consumer within the retail store in response to the receiving step.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a shopping list containing a plurality of items from a primary consumer. The method also includes the step of controlling, with the processing device, a display of an electronic computing device of a secondary consumer to display the shopping list. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, a coupon list containing one more coupons from the secondary consumer wherein each of the one or more coupons corresponds to one of the plurality of items on the shopping list. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a message containing the coupon list to the primary consumer.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying carts exhibiting tendencies that are indicative of damaged or defective wheels. A shopping cart may be identified and tracked visually through one or more surveillance cameras. By comparing the cart's tracked movement to known symptomatic movement patterns, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by analyzing movement and positioning of a cart's swiveling wheels, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. Alternatively, by identifying if a customer has abandoned a cart, the system may identify defective or damaged carts. A notification message may be transmitted to an associate to repair or replace the identified problematic cart. The notification may be displayed on a mobile computing device, a workstation, or other like systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically or semi-automatically depositing retail items into a bag using a robotic arm. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a camera, an image processor, and a robotic arm control module to analyze and attempt to identify an item. Human intervention may be utilized to assist in item identification and/or robotic arm control. A human operator may visually identify the item and/or remotely control the robotic arm from a remote control station.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of recording, with a processing device of a commerce server, video of a product as a consumer is viewing the product in a retail store. The method also includes the step of correlating with the processing device, the video recorded in the recording step with consumer data. The consumer data can be demographic data associated with the consumer or a purchase history of the consumer. The method also includes the step of offering the correlated video and consumer data for sale to the manufacturer of the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for alerting a customer when an item is out of stock or in stock. In embodiments, the customer may add items to a shopping list within a shopping list software application (commonly known as an “app”) installed on a mobile computing device such as a smart phone. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, if one or more items on the shopping list become out-of-stock, and/or later become in-stock, the system may transmit an alert to be displayed on the shopping list app to notify the customer. The system may notify the customer regarding relevant changes in product inventories at selected retail store branches where the customer is most likely to shop and/or has recently shopped.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, a video signal containing a barcode from an augmented reality device worn by a consumer shopping in a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, the barcode in the video signal. The method also includes the step of correlating, with the processing device, the barcode with a product offered for sale in the retail store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for enabling pre-purchase feedback. Within the method, a primary customer carrying a first computing device may be received within a brick-and-mortar store. A computer system corresponding to the store may receive via the first computing device an instruction to share with a secondary customer data describing a proposed purchase of one or more products. The computer system may then pass the data to a second computing device corresponding to the secondary customer. The computer system may also receive, via the second computing device, feedback corresponding to the proposed purchase and pass the feedback to the first computing device. Accordingly, the primary customer may receive pre-purchase feedback from the secondary customer.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for arranging advertisement content in digital receipts. A receipt database server formulates a digital receipt for a sales transaction. When the digital receipt is requested for viewing by another computer system, the receipt database server can arrange content in the digital receipt for an advertising purpose. In some embodiments, the digital receipt server places an advertisement insert into the digital receipt. In other embodiments, the digital receipt server (re)arranges receipt items of the digital receipt so that some receipt items appear more prominently (e.g., are moved towards the top of the digital receipt, are displayed in a different color, are highlighted, etc.). Thus, in response to requesting a digital receipt, a customer mobile device can receive an advertisement digital receipt. The advertisement digital receipt can include content arranged for an advertising purpose.

Abstract: A framework 10 is disclosed for generating a personalized item list, such as a shopping list. The framework comprises an access point for acquiring customer transaction data, a data aggregator for collecting acquired customer transaction data, and a list generator that utilizes computational logic engineered to both process customer transaction data and change dynamically as a function of said data. The access points can be, but are not limited to, a retailer operated website, a retailer developed smartphone application, and external third-party operated websites. A method for implementing the computational logic utilizing expandable item class modules is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products approximating customer location within a store. Consumers can load a shopping list onto a mobile device. The mobile device can communicate via wireless communication with a customer location server. The customer location server can contain a map of a store as well as the location of items for sale within the store. The mobile device can send a notification to the customer location server when an item has been checked off of the mobile device shopping list. The customer location server can determine the location of the item that was checked off of the mobile device shopping list. The customer location server can infer that the customer is near the location of the item that was checked off of the mobile device shopping list.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method includes the step of monitoring, at a processing device, regions of a retail location. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of determining, at the processing device, a crowd size for each region based on the monitoring step and indicative of an amount of people in the region when the monitoring step is executed, including identifying at least one over-crowded region. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of generating, at the processing device, a heat map based on the crowd sizes in each region, the heat map being indicative of the amount of people in each of the regions and displaying the over-crowded region. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of offering for sale a product promotion positioned at the over-crowded region identified in the heat map.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for identifying defective shopping carts are disclosed. A microphone is positioned to detect sound emitted by passing shopping carts and the output of the microphone is analyzed and compared to sound signatures for one or both of normal and defective shopping carts. If the output indicates a passing cart is defective one or more cart removal actions may be taken such as generating an audible alert, capturing an image of the defective cart, transmitting an alert to a store employee indicating one or both of a location of the cart and an identifier of the cart captured from an image or some other means. In some embodiments, a signal may be transmitted to a cart detected to be defective effective to lock one or more wheels of the cart.

Abstract: A process and method for identifying spills or other types of floor messes through computer-implemented image processing techniques are disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure include notifying cleanup tasks when such floor messes are identified. Image processing techniques may be employed to analyze images captured by surveillance cameras installed in a retail, commercial or industrial setting. Analyzed images may be forwarded to human operators for additional analysis or classification.

Abstract: Websites, including supporting databases, are updated with little or no downtime. In one aspect, a database is replicated prior to updating, so that updates can be performed on one copy while the other remains operational. In another aspect, the data remains in one location while an application programming interface for interacting with the data using new software code is introduced. Another application programming interface remains operational while the update is taking place. Public and private synonyms are used to direct web traffic to the appropriate application programming interface during the update process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing an electronic receipt for a vending machine transaction. Upon conclusion of a vending machine transaction a screen on the vending machine displays an optically encoded electronic receipt. The optically encoded electronic receipt may encode a transaction identifier and may additionally encode details of the transaction. The vending machine may also transmit transaction data to a server. A user computing device may scan the optically encoded electronic receipt and retrieve a transaction identifier. Using the transaction identifier, the user computing device may request transaction data from the server either directly or by way of a server owned or controlled by a different entity. Additional content, such as advertisements may be transmitted with or for display with transaction data.

Abstract: A method for sending a cost notification to a display monitor corresponding to a display apparatus, the display apparatus furnished within a facility includes obtaining display apparatus information corresponding the display apparatus. The display apparatus information includes display apparatus preferences being indicative of an item explicitly preferred by the retailer for being stocked at the display apparatus. The display apparatus information further includes location specific information being indicative of a geographical location of the facility at which the display apparatus is furnished within. A cost notification related to the item is generated based on the display apparatus information and the generated cost notification is transmitted to the display monitor.

Abstract: A method for sending a request from a display apparatus server to a computing device corresponding to a retailer includes detecting a quantity of a selected item currently stocked at a display apparatus furnished within a facility of the retailer, the selected item indicating a product being offered for sale by the retailer. When the detected quantity of the selected item is less than a threshold, a request notification is generated to replenish the display apparatus with the selected item. The request notification is transmitted to the computing device corresponding to the retailer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for characterizing the effectiveness of an advertisement displayed at a point of sale (POS). A transaction reported by a POS may identify a consumer and a transaction time as well of details such as a product purchased. The transaction time may be compared to an advertising schedule to identify an advertisement displayed adjacent the POS at the time of purchase. Transactions subsequent to identified advertisements may be analyzed to identify any increase in purchasing activity for an advertised product. Increases in purchasing activity and impressions identified in this manner for the general population or demographic groups may be aggregated to characterize an advertisement's effectiveness. Video data or transaction frequency data may be used to estimate an in-queue time for a customer in order to identify advertisement impressions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, one or more signals from a head mountable unit associated with each of a plurality of products physically placed in a shopping cart by a consumer. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, each of the plurality of products in response to the corresponding one or more signals received from the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of correlating, with the processing device, each of the plurality of products with a price. The method also includes the step of maintaining, with the processing device, a summation of the prices of the plurality of products. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the summation to the head mountable unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method includes the step of monitoring, at a processing device, regions of a retail location. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of determining, at the processing device, a crowd size for each region based on the monitoring step and indicative of an amount of people in the region when the monitoring step is executed. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of generating, at the processing device, a heat map based on the crowd sizes in each region, the heat map being indicative of the amount of people in each of the regions. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of promoting a reduction in the crowd size in at least one of the regions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for interactive shopping includes storing shopping list data representing items in a shopping list associated with a customer and displaying a user control for selecting a shopping budget associated with the customer. The shopping budget represents a maximum price the customer desires to pay for the items in the shopping list. The computer-implemented method further includes storing budget data representing the shopping budget and generating, from an inventory of products for sale at a retail store, a list of recommended products corresponding to the items in the shopping list based upon the shopping list data and the budget data. A total selling price of the recommended products is within the shopping budget. The computer-implemented method further includes displaying the list of recommended products to a user.

Abstract: Augmented reality programs permit graphics to be projected upon a view. A scavenger hunt game can be operated within a retail store utilizing a processing device operating an augmented reality program. The game includes receiving, at a processing device, a list of objects being sought, each object indicating one of a product being sold by the store or a task to be performed within the store. The game further includes, for each object being sought, determining an in-store location for the object, displaying though the augmented reality program in-store navigational instructions for each object being sought based upon the in-store location for the object, and confirming, at the processing device, retrieval of each object being sought.

Abstract: A method for detecting one or more misplaced items currently stocked at a display apparatus furnished within a facility of a retailer includes receiving a display apparatus identifier broadcasted from the display apparatus and retrieving display apparatus information based on the display apparatus identifier. The display apparatus information includes display apparatus preferences being indicative of a selected item explicitly preferred by the retailer for being stocked at the display apparatus and location specific information indicating specific section of the facility at which the display apparatus is located. One or more item identifiers broadcasted from the display apparatus are received and a presence of one or more misplaced items currently stocked at the display apparatus are detected based on the received one or more item identifiers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of storing, in a consumer purchase history database, identities of items purchased by a consumer. The method also includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a recipe suggestion server, a recipe request signal from the consumer after said storing step. The method also includes the step of maintaining, in a recipe database, a plurality of recipes wherein each recipe is defined by a plurality of ingredients. The method also includes the step of comparing, with the processing device, the identities of items purchased by the consumer with the respective plurality of ingredients associated with one or more of the plurality of recipes. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, at least one of the plurality of recipes to the consumer wherein the plurality of ingredients of the at least one of the plurality of recipes is correlated with the identities of items purchased by the consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method includes the step of monitoring, at a processing device, regions of a retail location. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of determining, at the processing device, a crowd size for each region based on the monitoring step and indicative of an amount of people in the region when the monitoring step is executed. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of generating, at the processing device, a heat map based on the crowd sizes in each region, the heat map being indicative of the amount of people in each of the regions. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of altering a distribution of employees available for service to customers in the retail store in response to the identification of the over-crowded region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a heat map for a retail location are disclosed herein. The method includes monitoring a plurality of regions of a retail location and determining a plurality of crowd sizes based on the monitoring. Each crowd size of the plurality of crowd sizes corresponds to one of the plurality of regions. Furthermore each crowd size may be indicative of an amount of people in its corresponding region at a given time. The method further includes generating a heat map based on the plurality of crowd sizes, the heat map being indicative of the amount of people in each of the regions. The heat map and crowd sizes can be used by a customer while shopping at the retail location, to optimize a shopping route of the customer, and/or to estimate wait times at particular regions of the retail location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described and includes, in a computerized server, receiving a candidate message from each of a plurality of designers. The candidate message is sent to a plurality of target recipients, and actions of the target recipients are monitored in response to the candidate message, including compiling metrics associated with the actions of the target recipients. The metrics for the candidate messages are compared, and one of the candidate messages is selected as a preferred message based upon the comparing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reprinting a receipt. Where a customer has elected to receive electronic receipts, an electronic receipt may be received on a mobile electronic device following a customer purchase or other transaction at a brick and mortar retail store. Where a customer requests that the receipt be reprinted at the time of the transaction, the election to receive electronic receipts is overridden and a paper copy of the receipt is printed at the register or terminal where the transaction was completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for generating targeted advertisements to traveling consumers. A user's location is tracked or inferred and compared to a home region identified for the user. For user's located with in a home region targeted advertisements are selected according to a user profile generated from analysis of the user's purchases over time. Upon detecting the user located outside the home region, selection of advertisements according to the user's home region profile may be suspended and advertisements may be selected according to one or more of a generic traveling consumer model, a traveling consumer category model, and a user-specific traveling profile.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for approximating alternate currency equivalents in digital receipts. In response to a user request, item prices in one currency in a digital receipts (e.g., for retail sales transactions) can be approximated in a second different currency. Digital receipts with approximated item prices can be presented on a display at a mobile device. Currency conversion can be handled at a receipt data server or at the mobile device. Currency conversion can be performed locally or can be referred to a conversion server. Item prices in digital receipts can be converted from and/or to any of a variety of different currencies.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for suggesting purchases. Within the method, one or more point-of-sale transactions may be conducted. The transactions may involve a computer system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may store receipt data documenting the transactions. Sometime after the transactions, the computer system may search the receipt data in an effort to locate one or more products that have a high probability of having passed (or are very near) their expiration dates. When such products are identified, the corresponding customer may be so informed.

Abstract: A process and method for tailoring marketing messaging to retail customers is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a system adapted to identify significant lifestyle changes in a customer's life by recording and analyzing the customer's purchasing behavior and to adjust marketing messaging directed at the customer in accordance with the identified lifestyle change. The marketing messaging system may search a customer's purchase history for known correlations between shopping behavior and demographic, socioeconomic, and other similar classifications of retail customers. By identifying changes in shopping patterns, the system of the present disclosure can tailor marketing messaging for the recipient consumer, thereby increasing marketing effectiveness.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a customer splitting a bill with other persons. A bill may be obtained and viewed electronically on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. Using a device configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention, a customer is able to select the bill for splitting as well as selecting other persons to share the cost of items on the receipt. The customer may allocate item cost among those other persons and each person may pay for their individual portion of the bill. Notifications and/or receipt copies may be sent electronically to each person associated with the bill.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a customer splitting the cost of a purchase with other persons. An electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. Using a device configured according to one or more embodiments of the invention, a customer is able to select the receipt for splitting as well as selecting other persons to share the cost of items on the receipt. The customer may allocate item cost among those other persons. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to provide notifications to the other persons. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information/notifications to the person requested by the customer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, at least one of a video signal and an audio signal from a head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of deriving, at the processing device, a demographic value in response to the at least one of the video signal and the audio signal. The demographic value is indicative of at least one of a gender and an age of a user of the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of obtaining, at processing device, an advertisement in response to the demographic value. The method also includes the step of transmitting the advertisement to the head mountable unit with the processing device of the commerce server.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for administering a gift registry. Within the method, a computer system may associate or link a gift registry to a computing device in the possession of a customer. A point-of-sale system forming part of the computer system may then initiate a transaction comprising the purchase of an item by the customer. The computer system may identify a link between the computing device and the transaction, determine that the item is listed within the gift registry, and receive confirmation that the item was purchased for the gift registry. Accordingly, the computer system may modify the gift registry to reflect the purchase of the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for ranking the quality of documents, such as documents shared or referenced in postings by users. For a first set of documents quality attributes that are indicative of quality or lack of quality are identified. Ratings of the quality of the first set of documents are received. Classifiers are associated with each document and the ratings and quality attributes for each attribute used to train class-specific models corresponding to the classifiers. Subsequently received documents are then classified and corresponding quality attributes are evaluated using the corresponding class-specific model in order to rank the quality of the document.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically importing retail grocery products into an electronic shopping list by importing the ingredients listed on a recipe card, page in a recipe book, or the like. The recipe card may contain an identifier code that is uniquely associated with that recipe. The identifier code may be presented on the recipe card as a bar code. The system includes a database of recipes that returns a list of products when queried with a recipe identifier code. A user may scan or otherwise import the recipe identifier code through a mobile computing device, which then presents the ingredients as products in an electronic shopping list. The electronic shopping list may be implemented in a smartphone app.