Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving spend approval cycle time in a software-as-service (SasS) electronic spend management system based on community spend approval information. The techniques include the spend management system collecting information about spend approval cycle times across a community of users that use the system. A graphical user interface is then provided by the spend management system to individual customer users of the spend management system where the graphical user interface includes a graphical comparison of the user's individual spend approval cycle time performance against the community's spend approval cycle time performance. By doing so, the individual user can be motivated to improve or maintain his or her spend approval cycle time performance.

Abstract: A modular mobile point-of-sale POS terminal is provided that includes a state processor, an order processor, a conventional wireless communications element, and a detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module. The state processor queues state changes for orders in a restaurant. The order processor is coupled to the state processor and generates, accesses, and transmits to a backend server when operably connected to a network. The conventional wireless communications element enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a Wi-Fi network within the restaurant. The detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a White-Fi network within the restaurant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for initiating shipment of and payment for shipping a parcel. For example, in one embodiment, a customer/user can receive a message on a user device from a carrier that includes an authorization code for shipping a parcel. After the customer/user ships the parcel, the carrier can charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider associated with the user device. In another embodiment, the customer/user can interact with a kiosk to ship the parcel. In this embodiment, the carrier can also charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider.

Abstract: Volume of a fluid, such as gasoline or diesel fuel, in a tank is determined by measuring the pressure of the fluid using a pressure sensor positioned proximate the bottom of the tank. The depth of the fluid in the tank is then calculated by dividing the pressure by the density of the fluid. Fluid volume is then determined mathematically or from charts given the depth as well as the size and shape of the tank. Multiple pressure readings may be taken along or near the bottom of a tank, and an average pressure determined that may be used to calculate measured volume. To maintain accuracy at different altitudes, pressure readings are preferably adjusted for atmospheric pressure using differential pressure sensors or a processor using data indicative of both pressures. Volume changes exceeding a predetermined threshold, or which are not comparable to dispensed fuel, may be flagged and alerts generated.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system for providing and managing associations between mobile computing device and physical shopping carts used in retail stores includes a physical shopping cart configured to transport physical goods around a store. The physical shopping cart includes a product detection system that is programmed to detect products that are placed in the physical shopping cart, a wireless transceiver to wirelessly communicate with other devices, and a cart identifier that uniquely identifies the physical shopping cart. The system further includes a mobile computing device that is programmed (i) to obtain the cart identifier for the shopping cart, (ii) to establish an association with the physical shopping cart using the cart identifier, and (iii) once the association between the physical shopping cart and the mobile computing device has been established, to output a user interface that provides a real-time summary of the products in the physical shopping cart.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for dynamically adjusting activity metrics and merchant states based, in part, on how many mobile electronic devices are currently located at the merchant. For example, if a number of mobile electronic devices is greater than a history of a number of devices, then it may be determined that the merchant is busy. If the number is less than the history of the number of devices, then it may be determined that the merchant is not busy.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a communication unit configured to: transmit a first update command for updating a value stored in a terminal device to the terminal device, transmit a second update command when no notification is received after the first update command transmitted within a first predetermined time; a control unit configured to determine if the value has been changed by comparing a first value retrieved from the terminal device before the first update command transmitted and a second value retrieved from the terminal device after the second update command transmitted when no notification is received after the second update command transmitted within a second predetermined time. An information processing method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of preparing retail establishments are disclosed. An area for a retail location may be chosen and an individual may be selected to manage the retail location. The selection of the area may include an evaluation of geographical factors. From the area, a retail location may be selected based on an aggregate score of a set of characteristics of the retail location. The individual may remotely select the layout and furnishing of the retail location and may remotely monitor the progress of the preparation of the retail location. In an embodiment, the individual may be prepared to manage the retail location at a centralized location that is distinct from the area where the retail location is located.

Abstract: An online content management service can collect and store receipts for a user from a variety of sources, including images captured by the user, messages received for the user at a messaging service or message management service, and/or receipts directly uploaded to the online content management service by a merchant. In the case of receipts provided as messages, a user can interact with a message management service to identify messages as receipts, and the message management service can upload such messages to the online content management service.

Abstract: Financing obtained from a lender may be processed by a retailer in a manner similar to a credit card. For example, transaction data associated with a transaction to acquire one or more items from the retailer may be entered at a point of sale terminal of the retailer. A request may be sent for a temporary shopping pass associated with an account of a consumer at the lender. The temporary shopping pass may be used as a virtual payment instrument to access financing (e.g., a loan, a lease, or a credit) provided by the lender. After receiving the temporary shopping pass, the shopping pass data included in the temporary shopping pass, such as a one-time card number, may be entered into the point of sale terminal. The transaction may be completed by processing the shopping pass data as a credit card type tender using the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: Examples, methods and systems described herein may include determining, by a payment processing system, whether a second payment mechanism may be used to perform a payment transaction when a first payment mechanism is preferred and/or when the first payment mechanism has failed. Determining to use the second payment mechanism can be based on (i) an analysis of a communication status indicator received from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal that indicates which payment mechanisms are capable of communicating with the POS terminal, (ii) data received from the POS terminal that is associated with a read of a payment object, and/or (iii) an allowance criterion.

Abstract: Examples provide a customized travel expense system for predicting travel expenses for a user planning to travel to a remote training location and disbursing an authorized portion of the predicted travel expenses to the user at a predetermined time for utilization during a training event. A mode of travel is selected based on mode selection criteria and training schedule data. The total predicted travel expenses and a daily expense allotment is calculated based on the selected mode and a rate associated with the selected mode. A user's presence at a training event provided at the remote training location is verified based on sensor data obtained from sensor devices located at the training location. An amount of funds equivalent to at least a portion of the total predicted travel expenses is uploaded to an account associated with the user in real-time for utilization by the user during the training event.

Abstract: An interactive shopping system for use in a retail store. The system can include a container for holding products selected by at least one user, a client device, a scanner, a scale, and a processor in communication with the client device, a positioning system in communication with the client device or the processor, and a visual or audible indicator. The at least one user can select products, view product information, initiate a payment transaction, and complete a purchase utilizing the interactive shopping system.

Abstract: A system and method for ordering and delivering food/drinks is described. Embodiments of the system and method can include an application running on a restaurant device and one or more user devices. Customers of the restaurant can order food via the application and the smart device can illuminate in a color assigned to the order via the application. The application can be implemented on the restaurant device to assign colors to orders and let workers of the restaurant know which color each order is associated with. Workers may then look for a smart device illuminated in a particular color to know where to deliver an order.

Abstract: Systems and processes for remote provisioning of manager approval are described. A point-of-sale application on a worker mobile device can send a request for manager approval to perform a transaction-related action for which a worker lacks sufficient permissions. A manager application on a remote manager device can display a notification of the request and can also present additional information regarding the request (and historical requests), including a queue of pending requests that can be generated and updated according to priority rules and transaction conditions. The manager application receives an indication of the manager's approval to the worker mobile device. In response, the worker mobile device can automatically perform the action. In some configurations, an intermediate device (e.g., a local or remote server device) can execute the manager application and can add data and capabilities to the system and processes.

Abstract: A method for managing vendor services provided at an employer service location includes provisioning an item or service offered by a vendor at the employer service location and receiving an order for the provisioned item or service from an employee and communicating the received order to the vendor, the vendor capable of providing the item or service at the employer service location, wherein the employer location is associated with the employee and the item or service. The method also includes scheduling a time for the vendor to provide the item or service at an employer service location based at least in part on an availability of an employee, availability of the vendor, or availability of the employer service location. The method also includes processing a payment from at least one of the employee or employer for the ordered item or service and distributing the payment to the vendor.

Abstract: A computer-method for improving operation of a computer by validating incoming data provided to a tax evaluation software program. The computer-implemented method includes selecting a gate at which the data is to be validated. Selecting is performed from among a plurality of gates. Each of the plurality of gates comprises a corresponding pre-selected organization of validation rules which at least specifies a corresponding level of validation. The gate has a particular organization of validation rules at a particular level of validation. The computer-implemented method also includes validating the data at the gate. The computer-implemented method also includes performing machine learning analysis on the operation of validating the data to determine an applicability of other rules in other gates. The computer-implemented method also includes, responsive to detecting a failure in validation of the data at the gate, generating, and displaying on a display device, a cause for the failure.

Abstract: A system for accessing protected data comprising a token retriever system operating on a processor and configured to receive a token from a user and to transmit a request including the token to a detokenization system over a data communications medium. The detokenization system configured to receive the token, to verify that the request has been received from an authorized source, and to transmit a response to the request that includes an account number associated with the token. The token retriever system is configured to receive the account number and to display the account number for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an invoice. The invoice includes invoice positions and each of the invoice positions includes a position text. The method also includes converting each word and number of the position text of each invoice position to a word embedding vector, summing the word embedding vectors for each invoice position to generate a word vector for each invoice position, and concatenating the word vector and a number vector of each invoice position to generate a position vector for each invoice position. The method further includes generating a first combined position vector for a first invoice position, generating a second combined position vector for a second invoice position, generating an invoice vector by summing the first and second combined position vectors, comparing the invoice vector to a fraud detection parameter, and determining whether the invoice is indicative of fraud based on the comparison.