Abstract: A geo-fencing system includes a plurality of beacons defining zones within a venue. The system receives a first beacon identifier from a mobile device and registers the mobile device in a first zone corresponding to the first beacon. The system causes a first menu to be displayed on the mobile device, indicating options for the first zone. In response to selection of one of the options, the system registers the mobile device as being active in the first zone. The system then receives a second beacon identifier and registers the mobile device as being in the second zone. The system also suspends the activity of the mobile device in the first zone and causes options to be displayed to continue or terminate the activity in the first zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for standardizing delivery of products in an online marketplace using one or more locker systems. In some embodiments, a system of lockers is presented. The locker system may be configured to store one or more products sold in an online marketplace. The locker system may also include a processor coupled to the one or more lockers and configured to generate access code information for a buyer to enable access to a locker storing the product. One or more sensors may be coupled to the one or more lockers and configured to examine the product for a level of product quality. A transmitter of the system may be configured to transmit the access code information to the buyer. The system can later accept the access code information inputted from the buyer and open the locker storing the product after receiving the access code information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customer shopping help include a system provider device that receives first customer location information from a plurality of beacon devices at a merchant physical location. The first customer location information is collected during a shopping session from a first customer device that is associated with a first customer. The system provider device analyzes the first customer location information to determine a merchant physical location area that is included in the merchant physical location and in which the first customer has not been located during the shopping session. The system provider device then selects a first product, from a plurality of products that are associated with the merchant physical location in a database, which is located in the merchant physical location area. The system provider device then provides a product recommendation for the first product over the network for display on the first customer device.

Abstract: A method for providing information about an auction for a plurality of assets is provided. A plurality of assets that is made to be available during an auction is identified. Each of the plurality of assets includes an auction state. During the auction, a matrix interface is displayed. The matrix interface includes a plurality of entries, where each entry identifies a corresponding asset and the auction state of that asset. The auction state of one or more assets is dynamically updated during the auction.

Abstract: A method and a system of online shopping using a digital storefront. For example, a digital storefront having multiple touchscreen display surfaces presents a plurality of tiles to a user, where one or more tiles display images of items for sale and at least one hunch question which may be related to the environment. In further examples, a response is received from the user to one or more hunch questions, and items are recommended for the user and presented to the user in one or more updated tiles on a touchscreen display surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing price evaluation based on electronic receipt data.

Abstract: Fueling transactions (and other types of transactions) may be verified for legitimacy and validity by recording audio, video and/or images of the transaction as it occurs. The recordings may then be indexed according to one or more transaction parameters such as a driver identifier, a vehicle or transportation unit identifier, an invoice number, a fueling station and the like. A carrier associated with a driver and/or vehicle or other transportation unit may specify which transactions are to be recorded. Accordingly, the fueling station may automatically determine whether to record a transaction upon receiving a transaction initiation request. Transaction recordings may be made based on transaction recordation parameters defined by a carrier and stored and indexed based on transaction storing parameters.

Abstract: A set of images may be obtained by a computing system of a user device. A display may be provided on the user device including a first image of the set of images. An indication may be received that indicates a tilt action of the user device. Based at least in part on the tilt action being within a particular tilt threshold, a partial view of the first image and a partial view of the second image may be provided to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a schedule in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes displaying a user interface including a whiteboard on a standby screen, receiving schedule data from a user through coordinates at which the standby screen is touched, and displaying the received schedule data on the whiteboard.

Abstract: Fueling transactions (and other types of transactions) may be verified for legitimacy and validity by recording audio, video and/or images of the transaction as it occurs. The recordings may then be indexed according to one or more transaction parameters such as a driver identifier, a vehicle or transportation unit identifier, an invoice number, a fueling station and the like. A carrier associated with a driver and/or vehicle or other transportation unit may specify which transactions are to be recorded. Accordingly, the fueling station may automatically determine whether to record a transaction upon receiving a transaction initiation request. Transaction recordings may be made based on transaction recordation parameters defined by a carrier and stored and indexed based on transaction storing parameters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes providing tender at a point of service terminal operated by a load agent, the point of service terminal being in operative communication with a payment processing network. The point of service terminal thereafter sends a transaction authorization request to an issuer of a portable consumer device to be used by a user. The issuer then authorizes or does not authorize the transaction authorization request. If the transaction authorization request is approved, the portable consumer device is either initially loaded or reloaded with an amount associated with the tender provided at the point of service terminal.

Abstract: A transponder-initiated transaction system is electromagnetically coupled to an account transponder device at the point of sale. The account transponder device may be embedded within a watch, key chain or other personal article for convenience or affinity. The transponder device may communicate account information to an RF-enabled point of sale device, enabling transactions to take place without resort to remote data processing facilities. In other embodiments partial or complete account information may be accessed or stored at co-located or remote sources. New account registrants may access a Web site to enter a transponder ID and activate a new account, which may be a credit account, debit account, cash account, special purpose vending account, or other types of accounts.

Abstract: A method for estimating a projected path of travel for a vehicle on a road includes monitoring a plurality of sensor inputs, determining a road geometry in front of the vehicle based upon the monitored sensor inputs, determining a vehicle position in relation to the road geometry based upon the monitored sensor inputs, determining a plurality of particle points in front of the vehicle representing a potential path of travel from the road geometry and the vehicle position, and utilizing iteratively determined ones of the plurality of particle points to navigate the vehicle including omitting ones of the plurality of particle points passed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing enhanced functionality to product webpages is described. This method and apparatus may be used to provide a unified toolbar across product webpages of multiple, independent retailers. This toolbar may be used to create a gift registry across multiple retailers, to create an inter-retailer shopping cart and automate purchases, to create an inter-retailer advertising network, and to create a virtual network of retailers with a multitude of services spanning them.

Abstract: A system includes a network of auto-id nodes and a processor. Each auto-id node includes index data that defines a hierarchical relationship between the auto-id node and another auto-id node within the network, and the auto-id nodes include a storage for storing status and history data about one or more assets that have been read by the auto-id node. The processor is operable to extract data from the network of auto-id nodes by following index data within the auto-id nodes to query only selected auto-id nodes within the network, and the selected nodes are arranged in a hierarchical network defined by indices of the auto-id nodes.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain includes commanding an engine start of an engine configured to operate at approximately zero engine speed. A spooling phase includes accelerating the first electric machine with the first machine torque, such that the first electric machine begins rotating. The first machine speed increases in magnitude from zero to non-zero, but engine speed is maintained at approximately zero. The mechanical energy of the rotating first electric machine is stored. A transfer phase includes commanding an increase in magnitude of the first machine torque and decelerating the first electric machine, such that the first machine speed decreases. The stored mechanical energy of the first electric machine is transferred to the engine to increase the engine speed to greater than zero, such that the engine starts.

Abstract: A system that facilitates continuous flow execution of orders is provided. The system includes a supply chain data store that stores supply chain data (e.g., inventory, supply, demand) and a data acceptor operable to receive the supply chain data from supply chain members, to conform the supply chain data to supply chain schema and to validate the supply chain data. The system also includes an inventory deployment analyzer that analyzes a user defined inventory network and accounts for the stored supply chain data to produce inventory transfer recommendations, transfer orders, alerts and/or a diversion order.

Abstract: A method for populating tax forms, including: aggregating a set of employer identification numbers (EINs) in a repository; receiving, from a tax preparation application, a first request for tax data of a first user, where the first request includes a first name of a first employer; matching, by a computer processor, the first name of the first employer to a first EIN of the set of EINs, where the first EIN corresponds to a first government agency; identifying a first payroll provider of the first employer based on the first EIN; importing, by the computer processor, the tax data from the first payroll provider; and populating a first tax form of the first user with the tax data and the first EIN.

Abstract: A return request processing engine automatically approves or denies requests for authorization to return a purchased item to the seller of the item. The return request processing engine utilizes return request rules to determine whether a particular return request can be approved or denied without input from the seller. When a request is received from a buyer to return an item, the return request processing engine utilizes the return request rules to determine if the request to return the item can be automatically approved or denied without input from the seller. If the return request processing engine cannot automatically approve or deny a return request, the return request processing engine causes a message to be transmitted to the seller of the item that provides a user interface through which the seller can indicate whether the return request is approved or denied by way of a single user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods of utilizing communications networks and multivariate analysis to predict or recommend optimal products from a predefined population of commercially available products are disclosed. The recommendations are based on intelligence contained in processing elements and subjective and/or objective product information received from consumers or input to the systems as part of their initial setup. The output of the systems comprise sets of products that they predict the consumer will prefer and/or perform well for the problem or concern identified by the consumer. The performance and preference predictions are a function of consumer problems and product responsiveness patterns. Objective product information is generally obtained with diagnostic instruments. Data measured with the diagnostic instruments may be communicated to the data processing portions of the invention via the Internet.