Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for detecting and correcting anomalous events in real-time in as users enter data into a general ledger. In various embodiments, a computing system may receive one or more user inputs. The computing system might analyze the one or more user inputs to determine whether there are one or more anomalous transactions associated with the one or more user inputs by obtaining historical information associated with the one or more user inputs and correlating, using one or more machine learning algorithms, the historical information and the one or more user inputs to detect one or more anomalies. Based on the correlation between the historical information and the one or more first user inputs, the computing system might detect at least one anomalous transaction and might generate one or more recommended actions to correct the at least one anomalous transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described. A method includes accessing transaction data related to restaurants associated with a plurality of geographically separate locations, determining a number of co-visitors shared by each of the restaurants associated with the plurality of geographically separate locations above a predetermined threshold, generating a graphical representation of the plurality of restaurants based on the number of the co-visitors shared by restaurants with the co-visitors above the predetermined threshold and the distance between the restaurants with the co-visitors. The graphical representation is transformed into restaurant embeddings and a neural network model is used to generate restaurant preferences based on the restaurant embeddings.

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure describes a method and system for automated check-out and drop-off return of products using a mobile device. A method may include purchasing at least one product of a plurality of products wherein each product is located at a respective associated product location in a store that sells the plurality of products and a point of sale of each purchased product corresponds to the respective associated product location.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for controlling and monitoring the storage and dispensing of beverage products; the apparatus comprising: a plurality of product registration devices for registering the presence of beverage products in one or more storage locations, each product registration device being associated with one beverage product or group of beverage products; a plurality of metering dispensers in a sales location from which one or more authorized users can dispense beverage products to customers; a plurality of locking means for preventing dispensing of a beverage product, each locking means being operatively linked to a different one of said metering dispensers; a plurality of user identifying devices for identifying authorized users, each user identifying device being operatively linked to a different one of said locking means so that an authorized user can unlock the said locking means and thereby dispense a beverage product from an operatively linked ‘metering dispenser; and a processor whi

Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction. The payment handling system may receive first information associated with a first payment instrument, receive second information associated with a second payment instrument, and cause a display to update the UI to indicate that an unallocated portion of the cost of the transaction is to be approximately split between the first payment instrument and the second payment instrument.

Abstract: Techniques for automated transactions are provided. A customer uses a mobile device to interact with a self-service checkout device (SSCO) to perform a transaction. Initially, a unique barcode for the transaction is generated and displayed to the customer, via an attract screen of the SSCO. The mobile device scans the barcode (can be a QR code); this causes the mobile device to communicate with a remote server that identifies the customer. Preferences for the customer are retrieved and the transaction and features of the SSCO are configured based on the preferences. The transaction proceeds with the configured preferences.

Abstract: In some examples, methods and systems may process one or more payment transactions between a merchant and a buyer by registering a communication device as an authorization instrument to the payment transaction. To this end, the method includes detecting at least one transaction activity associated with a payment system, establishing a communication channel between the POS terminal an RF communication device in proximity to the POS terminal.

Abstract: Methods for specification based augmented search. The specification based augmented search includes determining input characteristics based on a design and a user, identifying design rules associated with the input characteristics, traversing a library for library nodes including specifications that contain the design rules, displaying a plurality of library elements that correspond to the library nodes including the specifications that contain the design rules, receiving a selection of a library element from the plurality of library elements displayed, and returning a library object associated with the library element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.

Abstract: A system and method for the online settling of a transaction is provided. The system includes a server arrangement having a rules based engine including rules established on behalf of a party to the transaction, such as a creditor. The rules based engine is configured to process data and present a transaction settlement offer set comprising a plurality of selectable offers to the user based on at least one decision made by the rules based engine. The server arrangement is further configured to receive a lump sum payment proposal from the user and to use the rules based engine to process information comprising the lump sum payment proposal and present a second transaction settlement offer set to the user based at least in part on the lump sum payment proposal from the user.

Abstract: A service provider may receive transaction information from a plurality of merchant devices for a plurality of point of sale transactions conducted between buyers and merchants. The service provider can associate the transaction information with respective buyer profiles of a plurality of buyer profiles. In some examples, the service provider may determine a subset of the buyer profiles based on at least a portion of the buyer profiles in the subset including transaction information that is related to a particular one of the merchants. The service provider may further determine at least one characteristic associated with at least some of the buyer profiles in the subset, and may send a recommendation to the particular merchant related to the at least one characteristic. As an example, the recommendation may be for improving or optimizing the business of the particular merchant.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for allocating gratuities is disclosed that includes employing at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts: receiving transaction information from a point of sale, wherein the transaction information comprises at least gratuity data for each of a plurality of transactions during an accounting period; receiving employee information from the point of sale, wherein the employee information comprises at least hours worked for each of a plurality of employees during the accounting period; receiving gratuity distribution rules for allocating gratuities among at least a portion of the employees; and determining a gratuity allocation for each applicable employee of the plurality of employees based on at least the received transaction information, the received employee information, and the received gratuity distribution rules. Also disclosed is a computer-implemented system for managing gratuity allocations.

Abstract: Various methods are described for facilitating closing and payment of a check. One example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a physical location associated with the check. The method may further comprise receiving in response a location identifier associated with the physical location. Additionally, the method may comprise determining the check to be closed based at least in part on the location identifier. Another example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a folio device. The method may further comprise receiving in response a folio device identifier associated with the folio device. Additionally, the method may comprise providing for transmission of the check information to the folio device based at least in part on the folio device identifier. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for creating an electronic invoice file using a baseline electronic purchase order file. The methods and devices can receive data representing an electronic purchase order file, comprising a plurality of fields of information. The methods and devices can also confirm that the received electronic purchase order file, was received from a valid retail trading partner, the format of the received electronic purchase order file is consistent with the format of the baseline electronic purchase order file, and the fields of the received electronic purchase order file are consistent with the fields in the baseline electronic purchase order file, in a single step, by applying a hashing function to the data representing the baseline electronic purchase order file and received electronic purchase order file. The methods and devices can also create an electronic invoice file, using a plurality of fields from the electronic purchase order file.

Abstract: Computerized methods, systems and computer program products for determining how an identity of a consumer can be verified during a transaction involving the consumer and a merchant. Embodiments access and analyze data of an account the consumer has with an online social network to derive a challenge question response options. The social-network based challenge question and response options are presented to the consumer, and the consumer's selection of certain response options is used to confirm that the consumer is the person named on a credit card or other payment instrument or that other identification or verification information should be requested by the merchant before completing the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with example embodiments for comprehensive sales and service data reporting. Sales and service events that take place at a front end branch of an enterprise may be input into a front end system and transmitted to a backend system where various modules then use the front end system data to generate various data and reports to display various data, such as, for example, sales incentive metrics and key performance indicators.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for processing and auditing data records using a stream based data processing system. Data output by data center computers may be collected and used to generate data records that include values for metrics related to computer resource consumption. These data records may be inserted into a stream which can include auditors and various other processors. The auditors may determine whether any of the data records include discrepancies. A gating processor can determine which processors, if any, to provide data records that include discrepancies. Further, an amendment processor can be used to resolve discrepancies detected by the auditors. In addition, a billing processor can be used to generate bills that identify the discrepancies and include information relating to the cause and actions taken in response to the discrepancies detected in the data records.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the expenses of a traveller during the progress of an itinerary utilises NFC for carrying out the financial transactions associated with the itinerary and updates a corporate ERP or similar financial database with the financial transactions as they occur allowing rapid allocation to cost centres. The itinerary may be laid out in terms of itinerary events, each of which may be tracked by an NFC connection with an NFC device at an expected location and date for the itinerary event.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for tracking suspect aircraft. One embodiment is related to a method including receiving location data and current flight data of an aircraft, analyzing the location data and current flight data using flight behavior algorithms, detecting route deviation of the aircraft, and providing a report of flight pattern analysis and the detected route deviation to at least one device on a network.