Abstract: A system and method enables a central processor to control the operations of a plurality of checkout stations. Each checkout station includes a high speed data hub to provide data from a checkout station to the central processor. The central processor processes the data and generates data and/or commands. The data may be stored in a data repository located proximately with the central processor or at the checkout station that communicated the data to the central processor. Data messages generated by the central processor are communicated to the checkout stations at a high speed data rate of at least 12 Mbps. By using a central processor for controlling the operation of more than one checkout station, processors and processor support requirements are reduced for checkout stations.

Abstract: A transaction card package assembly comprising at least one transaction card, at least one sample product, and a card holder, and methods and system for processing the same.

Abstract: A door courtesy switch abnormality detection apparatus used in an on-vehicle system in which a door unlocked status is formed based on a wireless signal transmitted from an electronic key is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to generate information representing an abnormality in the door courtesy switch, if the electronic key in a cabin of a vehicle is detected by a antenna having the detection area thereof within the cabin of the vehicle in a situation where an ON/OFF signal of the door courtesy switch is not inverted after the door unlock operation is detected.

Abstract: A mobile commerce system including a multiplicity of Mobile Device-Point of Sale Communication (MPC)-equipped mobile devices, a plurality of MPC-enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, at least one POS configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-enabled POS devices, at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-equipped mobile devices and at least one mobile marketing platform server operative to introduce Transaction Value Certificate (TVC)-related functions and to communicate both with the at least one POS configuration server and the at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server to coordinate operation thereof so that the MPC-enabled POS devices will be “tap-ready” for carrying out the TVC-related functions.

Abstract: Provided is a POS system, including a terminal (12) that includes a bank deposit amount calculating unit (122) for calculating a bank deposit amount for each business day, in which the bank deposit amount calculating unit (122) subtracts an amount spent for other uses than as a change from a total amount of cash gained on a day that validity of the spending is judged and approved, to thereby calculate a bank deposit amount of the day. With this configuration, the management of cash such as a change fund in the POS system is clarified.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for an enhanced mobile application for assisting users at a point-of-transaction (POT). In one embodiment of the invention the POT assistance application program may determines that a user is conducting a transaction with a merchant. The user may utilize a user device to assist in the transaction. First, the user device may be paired with a POT system, such as a cash register. Once the devices are paired a communication link is created that allows the user to audibly and/or visually monitor the transaction using the user device. Furthermore, the user may flag an item for review during the transaction, silence the transaction, receive a subtotal for the transaction, select a payment method, or complete the transaction using the POT assistance application program.

Abstract: A billing management system includes an image forming device that forms an image, a reading device that reads identification information from an information recording medium that stores the identification information identifying a user of the image forming device, a billing condition management device that manages, in an associated state, the identification information and a billing condition, and a billing information transmitting unit that references the identification information and the billing condition, managed by the billing condition management device, and transmits billing information in accordance with the billing condition corresponding to the identification information read by the reading device.

Abstract: A method and a system for certifying and monitoring commercial activity of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are provided. The method includes registering a manufacturer with a certification and monitoring company. The method includes certifying the distributor and first and second retailers by the manufacturer for a product. The method includes inputting a first quantity of the product shipped during a time period from the manufacturer to the distributor, by the manufacturer, and inputting second and third quantities of the product shipped during the time period from the distributor to the first and second retailers, by the distributor. If a sum of the second and third quantities is greater than the first quantity by a predetermined amount, then a first notification message is generated.

Abstract: A financial management system and a user mobile computing system are provided and geo-location data indicating the position of the user mobile computing system is monitored. One or more cash transaction triggers are defined which are used to indicate that a possible cash transaction is taking place, or has taken place, involving the user. When a cash transaction trigger is detected, the geo-location of the user mobile computing system at the time of the cash transaction trigger detection is automatically recorded and used to identify/determine a business associated with, or closest to, the geo-location. A potential cash transaction entry is then automatically generated including description and/or categorization data for the potential cash transaction entry selected/determined based, at least in part, on the identified/determined business.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed that provide for creating an accurate representation of a roadway network, such as for planning vehicle travel routes. Positioning data is obtained, such as GPS data points from a plurality of vehicles, which mark traces of vehicular travel. A location of a trace is clarified using adjustment forces that are related to the traces, for example, to form coherent groups of traces. From these groups of clarified traces, a graph line is created by merging the traces.

Abstract: Joint pricing and replenishment of freshness inventory or products having different qualities determines the joint pricing and inventory strategies to optimize the retailer's benefits from product freshness, employing a dynamic programming formulation that incorporates a demand model that captures consumer choice based on both the freshness and price.

Abstract: A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers.

Abstract: A method for account parallel processing used by an account processing center to process a request for account operation is disclosed. The method comprises: (1) categorizing accounts as high parallel occurrence accounts and common accounts; (2) when receiving the request from the client for processing operation of an account, firstly determining whether the account is a high parallel occurrence account; and if the account is a high parallel occurrence account, continuing to a step (3), otherwise, conducting a step (4); (3) if the account is locked, queuing a current operation to wait until implementation of the current operation; and (4) further determining, by the account processing center, whether the account is locked and outputting an error message when the account is locked, otherwise implementing the current operation. Such method provides more high quality services to the high parallel occurrence accounts.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for automating the process of registering a product purchased by a consumer from a merchant in a purchase transaction. Product data including product identification data is obtained from a merchant electronic point of sale system as the consumer checks out. The product data is then automatically transmitted to a product registration system, such as via a consumer's mobile communication device having a product registration app. An auto-registration database is accessed to see if auto-registration is available for the product. If auto-registration is available for the product, then a request is made to the consumer to authorize auto-registration for the product. If the consumer accepts the auto-registration, then consumer data, such as the consumer name and contact information, is sent to the product registration system. The product registration system then creates a product registration record using the product data and the consumer data.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for processing multiple items for retail sale via a single retailer action. Upon scanning a machine-readable marking that is associated with multiple items provided by various vendors, a marking identifier associated with the machine-readable marking is recognized. The marking identifier corresponds with each price of the multiple items. Each price of the multiple items is presented to a consumer for payment that can be disbursed to the appropriate vendors.

Abstract: A search engine, system and method for locating and rating a plurality of electronic mentions of respective ones of a plurality of brands.

Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having internal power monitoring and data signal generating apparatus, and a system for utilizing such a circuit breaker in a facility having a plurality of tenants served by branch circuits from a plurality of distribution panels. The circuit breaker radiates signals indicative of power consumption of the branch circuit protected thereby, together with a unique address identifier tied to one tenant. Electrical billings are based on summing all signals for each tenant. Changes to branch circuits during tenancy will not disturb correct billings since individual circuit breakers are associated with that tenant using power supplied by each branch circuit. Hence changes to branch circuits may be limited to modify building space locations served by the modified branch circuit, and need not be further modified to maintain correct billing in light of the circuit changes.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable storage media, and apparatuses for dynamically generating a gallery of available designs for a particular kit configuration including a plurality of different products are presented.