Abstract: Container top assemblies and methods of fabrication thereof are provided. Product management and tracking of data for customizable data points is further provided. A container top assembly can include a cap comprising a central hole and a plurality of openings, a liner, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded at least partially within the container top assembly.

Abstract: Examples methods, apparatus/systems and articles of manufacture for auditing point-of-sale images are disclosed herein. Example methods disclosed herein include comparing a region of interest of an image displayed via a user interface with a plurality of reference product images stored in a database to identify a plurality of candidate product images from the plurality of reference product images as potential matches to a first product depicted in the image. For example, the candidate product images are associated with respective confidence levels indicating respective likelihoods of matching the first product. Disclosed example methods also include displaying, via the user interface, the candidate product images simultaneously with the image in a manner based on the respective confidence levels, and automatically selecting a first one of the candidate product images as matching the first product based on the respective confidence levels.

Abstract: Advertisement quality measures (e.g., predicted click through rates) are modified in accordance with a user's preferences with respect to domains to which the advertisements relate.

Abstract: A fund allocation management system and method of managing prepaid debit cards that allows customers to allocate funds to pay monthly bills, reoccurring expenses, or save for special purchases. More specifically, this fund allocation management system optionally calculates monthly expenses and allows customers to set certain funds aside for known expenses. Examples of customers that may benefit from this type of card and/or service includes customers using traditional bank cards as well as customers who may not qualify for traditional bank accounts. The customers can deposit funds into the prepaid cards and use it for general expenses.

Abstract: A method for determining the state of access control devices and sales or payment machines of an access control system by detecting sound profiles emitted during operation by a component or component group by at least one microphone. Based upon the recorded sound profile, an acoustic identification signature is created in a server or a central computer, which identification signature is based on the frequency spectrum of the recorded sound profile and/or the temporal change thereof. The acoustic identification signature is compared with a reference identification signature(s) stored in the server and assigned to a component or a component group. In the event of the detecting an acoustic identification signature which exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, increased wear of the component or the component group is detected, while if the deviation exceeds a second threshold value, a defect of the component or the component group is defected.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a selection of a building via a touchscreen interface, identifying a plurality of rooms based on a stored data record associated with the selected building, populating the touchscreen interface with visual representations of the plurality of rooms of the selected building, receiving a selection of a room via the touchscreen interface, identifying a plurality of predefined objects associated with the selected room, providing a list of the plurality of predefined objects on the touchscreen interface in a manner facilitating selection of an asset for the selected room via the touchscreen interface, facilitating entry of make and model information of the selected asset via the touchscreen interface, and retrieving estimated energy usage information based on the make and model information of the selected asset from a database of building objects via a network connection.

Abstract: The present methods and systems (including computer software, computer hardware, and an intermediary system) facilitate a transaction for non-fuel merchandise items at any fuel dispenser during a pre-pay or post-pay inside the store fuel sale. Consumers can select non-fuel merchandise items at a fuel dispenser (either via a fuel dispenser key pad or a separate computerized customer interface, attached to a fuel dispenser) at the time they are selecting their fuel at the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for efficiently authorizing a transaction initiated by a consumer. An authorization can be generated before the consumer actually initiates the transaction. For example, a future transaction can be predicted, and an authorization can be generated for the predicted transaction. In this manner, the authorization can be ready and quickly used when the consumer does initiate the transaction. Previous transactions made by the consumer can be used to predict when the future transaction is likely. In various examples, the authorization can be sent to a specific merchant or to the consumer for use when the consumer initiates the predicted transaction, or saved by an authorization server for use in response to an authorization request from the merchant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for splitting an electronically-generated check among several people. A group of people may order goods or services using a customer device associated with each customer. The orders are sent to a point-of-sale server which creates a combined accounting of the orders of a group of people. When the group is ready to check out, they may apportion items from the combined accounting to simulated checks displayed on each of the customer devices. Then, each person may pay their bill individually.

Abstract: A method and system groups user accounts in a financial management system based on the similarities of the financial transactions associated with the accounts. The financial management system receives financial transaction data related to a plurality of financial transactions of a plurality of users. Each of the financial transactions is associated with an account of a user. The financial management system generates account characteristics vector data including, for each account, an account characteristics vector based on the financial transactions associated with the account. The financial management system groups the accounts by performing grouping analysis on the account characteristics vectors.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying product information on the product display. The system including a server positioned at a first location. The server is provided that is configured to receive an input and transmit a data package in response. The input to the server includes product data. A first plurality of mobile devices is positioned at a second location. The second location is different from the first location. The first plurality of mobile devices each has a first display and a second processor. The second processor is responsive to receiving the data package and displaying the product data on the first display in response to receiving the data package.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a user device, an input that indicates a request to set up a payment plan associated with a bill. The device may send to the user device an instruction for a user to send access information that permits access to a system associated with an employment account of the user. The device may receive from the user device the access information and obtain data related to future earnings of the user from the system using the access information. The device may process the data to identify an earnings amount and an earnings date. The device may determine, based on the earnings amount and the earnings date, the payment plan, wherein the payment plan indicates a payment amount and a payment date, and cause a payment account associated with the user to pay the bill according to the payment plan.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: A system includes a vision system, a database, a chip reader, and a computer system. The computer system accesses an image of a two-dimensional barcode captured by the vision system and determines barcode information for a group of cards. The barcode information comprises a chip expiration date that applies to the cards in the group of cards. The computer system accesses particular chip information read by the chip reader for a particular card of the group of cards and verifies that the particular chip information matches the barcode information. The computer system updates the database to include the chip expiration date for the group of cards. The computer system analyzes a plurality of chip expiration dates stored in the database and determines, based on the analysis, an order in which to pull groups of cards from inventory in order to issue cards to users.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing thematic repositories for transaction management are described herein. The techniques may include receiving data associated with at least one transaction, and associating at least a subset of the data with at least one thematic repository of a plurality of thematic repositories. An individual thematic repository of the plurality of thematic repositories may be configured to aggregate data from a plurality of transactions that are individually determined to be associated with a theme of the individual thematic repository.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to an order processing system that receives and prints orders and provides an indication of the number of the orders that have been printed and are awaiting acknowledgment by a user.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method and a system for estimating a stock level of a shelf. An image processing technique is incorporated to conduct stock estimation that is used as a reference for replenishment decisions. In the method, a camera is used to capture a shelf image. The shelf image is divided into multiple sub-region images. Multiple binarized images with respect to the multiple sub-region images are obtained by applying a binarization method. A ratio of the binarization values with respect to the pixels within every sub-region is calculated. The method also includes comparing the ratio of the binarization values in at least two sub-regions with a reference ratio in the at least two sub-regions within a shelf reference image. The comparison is used to estimate the stock level, and also to determine whether the shelf is to be replenished.

Abstract: Disclosed are authentication methods, systems and servers. Aspect processes include receiving an authentication request sent by a first terminal; determining at least a first sub authentication request and a second sub authentication request with both corresponding to the authentication request; sending the first sub authentication request to a second terminal and the second sub authentication request to a third terminal; when receiving the first verification information sent by the second terminal and the second verification information sent by the third terminal, authenticating the first verification information and the second verification information; and sending the authentication result to the first terminal; wherein the second terminal or the third terminal is the same terminal as the first terminal or is a different terminal from the first terminal.

Abstract: Selectable payroll amounts for instant payroll deposits are described. A service provider can receive employee payroll information indicating an employee account at which an employee is to receive payroll payments from an employer. Additionally, the service provider can receive compensation information indicating compensation to be received by the employee for performing work for the employer. The service provider can leverage a data model to determine that the employee is eligible to receive at least a portion of the compensation via an instant deposit transfer. The service provider can determine, based on a reliability of the employee and/or a level of risk associated with the employer, an amount of the compensation to pay to the employee via the instant deposit transfer and can facilitate the instant deposit transfer of funds associated with the amount to pay the payroll payments to the employee account.