Abstract: An agreement method of a block in a blockchain network by a chair node includes: receiving, from a plurality of congress nodes in a congress, information on an exceptional situation which occurred during agreement processes of a block; transmitting an empty block agreement start message including information on the exceptional situation and verification data for the exceptional situation to the plurality of congress nodes; generating a candidate empty block which does not include a transaction when receiving a delegate request message from at least two congress nodes among the plurality of congress nodes and transmitting the candidate empty block to committee nodes; and generating a final empty block when the candidate empty block is verified by the committee nodes and transmitting the final empty block to all nodes in the blockchain network is provided.

Abstract: Techniques for using one point-of-sale (POS) device and application for the sale of two merchants' items are described. A first period of time of operation for the first merchant is received from the POS device via a first merchant account. A second period of time of operation for the second merchant is received via a second merchant account. A portion of the first period of time exclusive of the second period of time is determined. Access to the second merchant items via the first merchant account is provided, enabling the first merchant to offer the second merchant items for purchase during the portion of the first period of time. A request to authorize a purchase of an item from the first merchant that is one of the second merchant items is received during the portion of the first period of time. The transaction is facilitated.

Abstract: The Antifraud Resilient Transaction Identifier Datastructure Apparatuses, Methods and Systems (“ARTID”) transforms PIN, unique user identifying device datastructure inputs via ARTID components into secure payment authorization outputs. The ARTID includes a virtual secure element datastructure transaction apparatus, comprising, a memory, a component collection in the memory, and a processor disposed in communication with the memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions from the component collection stored in the memory. ARTID includes instructions to: obtain request to generate a tamper resistant asset account from a requestor, and instantiate a new tamper resistant asset account, wherein the account is populated with the requestor identifier, unique requestor device identifier, a secure cryptographic element for the tamper resistant account.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal of a merchant includes a third party payment provider display area for payment using a third party payment provider. The point of sale terminal receives an authentication notification for a consumer from the third party payment provider. The consumer is authenticated using one or more of a personal identification number, an image of the consumer, a quick response code scanned from a mobile device of the consumer, or a code received via near field communications with the mobile device of the consumer. The point of sale terminal requests payment from the third party payment provider for a transaction with the consumer using the transaction amount and authentication information. The third party provider display area allows new payment modalities to be used at the point of sale terminal without requiring modification of the instructions for the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems for enabling physical retail stores and other facilities to implement both automated- and manual-checkout techniques for customers of the stores and/or facilities. For example, the described systems may enable a retail store to implement technology where users are able to pick items from shelves and other inventory locations and exit the store without performing manual checkout of the items, as well as technology to allow users to pay for their items using point-of-sale (POS) and/or other manual-checkout techniques. The systems described herein thus enable hybrid retail facilities, as opposed to a retail facility that is either entirely traditional or entirely enabled for automated checkout.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a shopping support apparatus includes a reader, a memory, and a processor. The processor causes the reader to read a data code, obtains store-specific setting information, and causes the memory to store control mode information included in the obtained setting information. The processor determines, on the basis of the control mode information of the setting information stored in the memory, whether to set a first mode for shopping support at the store as the control mode of the processor or set a second mode for a task restricted to an operation of an authorized person as the control mode of the processor.

Abstract: A method of accessing media includes establishing a first network connection between a service provider device and a media device, wherein establishing the first network connection includes exchanging a set of network access parameters; establishing a second network connection between a user device and the service provider device; providing to a user device the set of network access parameters of the first network connection using the service provider device; and using the user device to control the media device, the user device using the set of network access parameters to mimic the first network connection with the media device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to recognize products in a physical facility through a portable device that comprises a decision control circuit configured to: process each frame of the subset of frames by multiple modeling techniques each relative to a corresponding image attribute and obtain a corresponding product identification probability; determine corresponding aggregated identification probabilities of the first product based on the product identification probabilities; collectively evaluate the aggregated identification probabilities and identify when a predefined relationship with a collective threshold probability exists; and cause an image of the first product to be displayed in response to identifying that one or more of the aggregated identification probabilities having the predefined relationship with the collective threshold probability.

Abstract: A flexible advance system allows users to request and receive advances. The flexible advance system processes advances such that short-term advances are repaid through a wage deduction from the user's next regularly scheduled compensation period. The flexible advance system provides a user interface that allows users to request to receive compensation for a portion of time worked. Responsive to a request, an entry in a database associated with the user is accessed to determine a total amount of available advance compensation available for request by the user. In response to the requested amount being less than the total amount of available advance compensation, a transfer of compensation is executed to an account of the user. The flexible advance system also modifies the entry in the database by subtracting the compensated amount of time from the total amount of uncompensated time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating response records for individual users based on user responses to prompts. Exemplary implementations may: provide prompts to individual users, receive user input from individual ones of the users indicating responses to the one or more provided prompts; determine, based on the received user input from individual ones of the users, response information for individual ones of the responses to the prompts; aggregate the individual responses and corresponding response information to generate response records for individual ones of the users; store the response records for individual ones in the users; and/or other exemplary implementations.

Abstract: A kiosk for accepting a portable electronic device from a client in exchange for payment includes a display, one or more cameras, a portable device receiving arrangement, a payment dispensing arrangement, and a communication connection to a remote server and/or operator. The kiosk is configured to, in conjunction with the remote server and/or operator, control an application program executing on the portable electronic device and one or more the cameras to detect characteristics of the portable electronic device. The kiosk is also configured to determine a value for the portable electronic device based upon aspects including the detected characteristics, and to display the determined value on said at least one display for approval by the client. Subsequently, based upon the determined value, the kiosk provides a payment to the client via the payment dispensing arrangement, and deposits the portable electronic device in the kiosk for subsequent collection.

Abstract: A system for the cryptographically-secure, autonomous control of devices comprising, connected to or remotely operating devices in an electrically powered network and the transaction of the benefits, costs or value created by or transacted through the devices in this electrically powered network.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide for processing payments via a mobile device at a retail location while relying solely on non-PCI Scope information at the retail location. A payment processing transaction may be initiated at a point of sale at a retail location, and a unique identifier provided by a mobile device may be used as payment information to facilitate the processing of a payment transaction. Authorizations of payment processing transactions are made by a remotely located server based, at least in part, on the unique identifier provided by the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer server and method for payment processing are described herein. A server has a module for forming an encrypted connection with a payment terminal, and pairs a merchant sales terminal with the payment terminal. Communications between the payment terminal and merchant sales terminal are carried out through the server, which converts messages into the appropriate format for each terminal. After the transaction is carried out, the server returns receipt information to the sales terminal for receipt generation.

Abstract: A merchandiser for storing a product for purchase by a customer is disclosed. The merchandiser includes a housing that defines a cavity for storing the product and a controller for facilitating a transaction for the product at the merchandiser. The controller is configured to: receive an input to initiate a transaction for the product, the input including a type and an amount of product to be purchased; unlock a door of the merchandiser to enable a removal of the product based on receiving the input; determine a completion of the transaction based on the door being in a close position for more than a preset amount of time; and charge the customer for the type and amount of product based on the completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method for identifying shipment shortages on pallets is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes taking one or more digital images of a pallet with a shipment thereon to estimate the shipment's volume. The method further includes estimating an anticipated shipment volume based on the shipment's invoice information, and comparing the estimated shipment volume to the anticipated shipment volume to calculate volume mismatches. The volume mismatches can be used as an indicator of any shipment errors.

Abstract: Various examples described herein are directed to systems and methods for managing payments of a first merchant. A mobile wallet application may receive first payment element data describing a first payment element for making a first payment and may determine that the first payment element is to be processed by a limited payment network. The mobile wallet application may send a first payment authorization message to an issuer of the first payment element via the limited payment network. The mobile wallet application may also receive second payment element data describing a second payment element for making a second payment. The mobile wallet application may determine that the second payment element is not to be processed by the limited payment network, and send a second payment authorization message to an issuer of the second payment element via a second payment network.

Abstract: In an example, a computer implemented method includes obtaining respective transactional data from each financial data source of a plurality of financial data sources, where the respective transactional data is each associated with a posting time. The method also includes determining a net liquidity amount from the respective transactional data based on the posting time of each of the respective transactional data. The method also includes outputting net liquidity data that is representative of the determined net liquidity amount.

Abstract: A battery-less active and passive hybrid device for secure wireless payment comprising a secure element adapted for storing at least one secure payment applet and at least one token for secure contactless payment and operatively connected with an active operation unit and a passive operation unit; wherein the hybrid device is configured to be switchable between an active state in which the active operation unit is activated wirelessly on demand to enable the hybrid device to function as an active device and adapted for provisioning a personalization information of a payment card and/or a payment token of the device to the secure element; and a passive state in which the active operation unit is deactivated and the passive operation unit is activated to enable the hybrid device to function as a passive device and adapted for conducting payment token verification and/or contactless payment transaction operation via the secure element.

Abstract: A method and system for receiving digital artifacts from a management server. The method includes sending a request for a digital artifact from a mobile application to the management server for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, receiving the digital artifact from the management server, and displaying the digital artifact with the specific mobile application generated screen.