Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for delivering products to customers while analyzing and satisfying product-associated and/or delivery location-associated restrictions. The delivery attempt of the products is commenced after the product-associated restrictions are determined to be satisfied. The delivery of the product or products to the customer or an authorized person is authorized after the delivery location-associated restrictions are determined to be satisfied.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to enable mitigation of network attacks in communication networks. When a network attack is detected, packets within the communication network are routed through a hierarchical mitigation system, which includes at least two tiers of mitigation devices configured to apply mitigation techniques to the packets. Outer tiers of the hierarchical mitigation system (e.g., closer to an edge of the communication network) can apply simple mitigation techniques that are efficient even when distributed, and which provide early mitigation for attack packets while not requiring large amounts of computing resources. Inner tiers of the hierarchical mitigation system (e.g., closer to a destination device) can apply more complex mitigation systems that may require centralized application, and which provide more robust mitigation at a potentially higher computing resource cost.

Abstract: The system and method for recognizing and counting products within images is disclosed. The products are recognized by carrying out a nearest-neighbor search in the template feature space using a k-d tree and the product count is then obtained by using a maximum feature repeatability index for each identified feature. The system also obtains product arrangement by fitting bounding boxes around each identified product. The count of boxes thus obtained may also provide the exact number of discrete products visible in an image. A second stage of grid-based search is also carried out in the neighborhood of each detected product to detect new products that might have been missed out in the previous step. This detection is based on a confidence measure including information like histogram matching and spatial location of products. This system is also useful in verifying planogram compliance for a given product.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for managing animations (e.g., chrome) on an application of a computing device are described. The application may dynamically adjust the number of animations to process information at a faster and/or slower rate. The application may adjust the number of animations based on various factors, such as a rate of input events, a rate of outbound signals, a type of user, an experience level of a user, a time of day, a time of year, and/or other factors.

Abstract: In various situations, it may be desirable to know the location of a device requesting services, and to confirm that the device is at an actual location that coincides with the purported location of the device. In order to verify that a device is actually at its purported location, the device may be instructed to perform DNS (domain name system) lookups to resolve a set of given network domain names and to thereby find network addresses that are associated with the domain names Geolocation databases are then consulted to determine the locations of the hosts associated with the network addresses. These locations are checked for consistency with the purported location of the device, and services may be denied if inconsistencies are found.

Abstract: A checkout system includes at least one input apparatus and at least one controller. The input apparatus receives an input indicating that a plurality of transactions are consecutively performed by a single customer. The input apparatus receives input of merchandise information for the plurality of transactions. The input apparatus also receives an input of a user code corresponding to a service. The at least one controller generates payment information indicating a total amount to be paid for each transaction of the plurality of transactions based on the input merchandise information. The user code is applied in connection with payment processing for each of the plurality of transactions without requiring the user code to be input more than once. Payment processing is performed with respect to each of the plurality of transactions based on the corresponding payment information, in accordance with a payment operation of the single customer.

Abstract: Techniques related to presentation of re-stocking maps are disclosed. The techniques involve accessing using a search engine module, from at least one database, map data relating to a layout of a retail facility, product data identifying products for sale at the retail facility, location data defining a location of products for sale at the retail facility, and inventory data providing an inventory level of the products for sale at the retail facility. A processor makes a determination about which products require re-stocking based on the inventory level. A map of the layout of the retail facility is then generated for presentation on a display of a computing device. The map indicates the location of the products requiring re-stocking with respect to the layout.

Abstract: A portable consumer device may have money stored therein, which can be calculated using an accumulator record and an exception record. The accumulator record can be incremented by the amount of any initiated transaction using the portable consumer device. The exception record can be incremented by the amount of any completed transaction using the portable consumer device. The portable consumer device may also have a limit amount, to record the amount of money added. The records allow for a later reconstruction of the device history, and can account for any errors or problems during transactions.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for inventorying objects. In one embodiment, a robot detects an object and sends identification data and location data associated with the detected object to a cloud computing system. The identification data may include an image of the object and/or information from a tag, code, or beacon associated with the object. In response to receiving the identification data and the location data, the cloud computing system identifies the object. The cloud computing system may also determine or create a first map associated with the identified object and a second map associated with the identified object. The first map may be associated with the current location of the object and the second map may correspond to a past location of the object. The cloud computing server may compare the first and second maps, and then send instructions to the robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A course evaluation apparatus includes an estimated-course-group generation portion that generates a plurality of estimated course groups for a movable body; and a course evaluation portion that performs a course evaluation on the plurality of estimated course groups with respect to at least two different evaluation criteria.

Abstract: Techniques for consolidation of items based on sensor data is provided. For example, an amount of an item may be identified using an electronic sensor associated with an automatic replenishment device. When the amount of the item is greater than a first reorder threshold, the item may not be ordered on behalf of the user until the amount of the item reaches the first reorder threshold. However, when an order for a different item is placed, either by accessing a network document to proactively order the different item or through a reorder schedule based on a consumption rate of the different item, the amount of the first item may be compared with a second reorder threshold. When the amount of the first item is less than the second reorder threshold, a notification may be provided to the user for additionally ordering the second item with the first item.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems to enable a digital wallet identifier to be present in communications associated with transaction data for transactions that are facilitated by a digital wallet provider. In one embodiment, a communication device of a user receives a request for payment credentials required to conduct a transaction and obtains the payment credentials. The payment credentials include a digital wallet identifier and at least some of the payment credentials are obtained from a trusted execution environment associated with the communication device. The obtained payment credentials are provided to an access device associated with a merchant. The access device is configured to initiate the transaction by generating an authorization request message including the payment credentials for onward transmission to an issuer computer.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking food consumption data for a payment cardholder is provided. The food consumption data is associated with restaurant food purchases made with a payment card, where each restaurant food purchase includes a transaction amount. The method includes comparing the transaction amount to a set of possible food order combinations totaling the transaction amount. A food order combination is selected that has a total price that matches the transaction amount. Nutritional information associated with each food item in the selected food order combination is retrieved and stored into a database.

Abstract: A technique for providing a pay-by-name payment experience is disclosed. A point-of-sale (POS) system at a store receives information identifying an account with a central server from a payment card using a short-range wireless technology. In response to that, it obtains information regarding the account, including a person's name associated with the account, using the received information. It also accepts a name from a specific consumer in the vicinity. At this point, it determines whether the name accepted from the specific consumer and the name associated with the account are identical. If it determines that the two names are identical, it checks-in the consumer to the store.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a wireless concession system that transmits the availability of various concessions from both mobile vendors as well as actual concession stands. The system identifies the location of these concession offerings in real time as well as up-to-date status information concerning the same. Wireless transmission of information concerning an attendee at a sporting event may likewise be broadcast to the concession system such that delivery of a desired concession may take place using an optimal delivery method, which could be delivery or pick-up at a location most near and most efficient for the needs of the attendee.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing financial transactions by controlling the purchase of allowed and disallowed purchase items. A transaction control card is used to purchase a purchase item. Account information related to the transaction control card and purchase item data related to the purchase item is then processed to determine whether the purchase item is disallowed for purchase by any single, or combination of, disallowed purchase item data parameters.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and system for generating a targeted menu item recommendation are provided. The targeted menu item recommendation includes receiving a menu item recommendation request, generating search criteria for the menu item recommendation request, retrieving menu information regarding the search criteria, assigning weighted values to the retrieved information based on the text of the menu item information, preferences of the user, and social media association values, and generating the targeted menu item recommendation.

Abstract: Implicit occasion personalization is described. A service provider may access user data associated with users corresponding to the user devices. The user data may represent user interactions with a plurality of entities that each offer one or more services. The service provider may determine a user pattern associated with a user of the plurality of users and may determine, from the user pattern, that the user is likely to request and/or receive the one or more services on a date. The service provider may generate a recommendation including at least one of a deal associated with the one or more services or a reservation on the date to the individual user on or before the date.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and system for generating a targeted menu item recommendation are provided. The targeted menu item recommendation includes receiving a menu item recommendation request, generating search criteria for the menu item recommendation request, retrieving menu information regarding the search criteria, assigning weighted values to the retrieved information based on the text of the menu item information, preferences of the user, and social media association values, and generating the targeted menu item recommendation.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating toll free data access includes a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including sending a request to a device requesting identification of one or more content providers that provide data to users in which the content providers pay for data, accessed from the content providers, on behalf of users. The accessed data is not considered data usage accrued by the users during a billing cycle or against a prepaid data plan. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to receive an indication from the device of a content provider(s) that pays for the provision of the data on behalf of users. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to determine whether a selected content provider pays for the provision of the data to users. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.