Abstract: Systems and methods of constructing and managing virtual planograms are presented. Contemplated systems allow for construction of a virtual planogram, which can be used to present consumers virtual inventory items as being available for purchase via a display device. The display device can include an electronic billboard within an establishment, a mall for example, or include a user's smart device, a cell phone or tablet for example.

Abstract: Electronic transaction data and/or electronic payment data therefor is routed to disparate payment networks for a multitude of transactions. A software-programmed computer type circuit receives and processes point-of-sale transaction data to select two disparate payment networks for processing electronic payment for the transaction data. Transaction and/or payment data is routed to each of the disparate payment networks, to respectively debit and credit payment accounts, to provide payment to a seller on behalf of a buyer involved in the transaction.

Abstract: A system including the use of beacon technology to track and better serve users/customers through the use of a mobile application. This allows a venue location the ability to balance user/customer wait times at their location and provide marketing, processing, and information to the user/customer. The system is used to locate users/customers and process user payments thereby reducing wait lines at venues to a fraction of the time compared to normal processes, which may allow venues to drive more sales during peak times. As the user/customer walks about a venue location, information such as where the user/customer is located and what products and services are available at that venue location is displayed on the user's client device.

Abstract: Described is a multiple-camera system for use in capturing images of users within a materials handling facility and processing those images to monitor the movement of users. For large materials handling facilities, a large number of cameras may be required to monitor the facility. Processing of the data generated from a large number of cameras becomes difficult. The implementations described herein include a hierarchy that allows image data from any number of cameras within a materials handling facility to be processed without substantially increasing the processing time needed or sacrificing processing capabilities.

Abstract: A context aware process is utilized to speed self-checkout. In one aspect, such a process is utilized to simplify response to a weight mismatch condition where a produce scale weight and a bagging scale weight for an item differs by more than a predetermined amount. Other examples of the application of such a process to other aspects of self-checkout are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for facilitating collaborative shopping. Notifications may be sent to remote devices in response to a shopper's device entering a store or within a given proximity to a store. Notifications may invoke or include an interface to add items to a shared shopping list. Notifications from the shopper's device may be sent in advance of a user entering a store to alert friends and family to add items to the shared shopping list. A remote device may be used to authorize and instruct the shopper's device to pick up items that have been previously purchased either automatically or in response to an input from a user of the remote device. Authorization to pick up the previously-purchased item may be transmitted to one or both of a merchant and the shopper's device.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for knowledge discovery that incorporate both human and computers to index, process, and communicate and share the knowledge and electronic contents. It also provides a platform for launching unlimited number of qualified and content reviewed publishing/broadcasting ventures or artificial beings. The system assists individuals for faster and more efficient discovery/creation of new and useful knowledge, and valuable artistic content. It also provides incentives to the owners of the ventures and a method for rewarding or compensating all contributors.

Abstract: A method for performing a digital transaction via a mobile device using a POS system that is connected to a wireless local area network comprising the steps: generation of a unique one-time digital code by the POS system (or by the mobile device of the customer) that is used for initiating the transaction; automatic enabling of network access to the wireless local area network after production of the unique one-time digital code, wherein access to the wireless network is permitted by the digital code; connection of the mobile device to the local area network using the digital code and provision of information from the device to the POS system, after the information has been obtained by the POS system from the mobile device, the POS system provides clearance for the transaction.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for managing risk of fraudulent transactions made by a point-of-sale (POS) device operating in an online and an offline mode. In some instances, a payment service may maintain a merchant profile with a list of merchant specific criteria. The payment service may encrypt and send the merchant specific criteria to the POS device associated with the merchant. The encrypted data may include a list of payment instruments used in previous successful transactions, customer transaction histories, and other customer information. The POS device may determine, upon receiving a payment instrument identifier in a transaction, whether the payment instrument has been used in a previous successful transaction. If the POS device determines the payment instrument has been used, it may process the transaction. If not, the POS device may warn the merchant that the transaction is a high-risk transaction.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises: an accepting unit that accepts identification information for identifying a user of an apparatus; a reading unit that reads an image on a document to output image data; an extracting unit that extracts character string information including a character string in the image and first position information on the character string in the image from the image data; a storage unit that stores therein allocation information in which an item relating to settlement is associated with second position information on the item on the document; an allocating unit that compares the allocation information with the character string information to allocate the item to the character string; and a transmitting unit that transmits settlement information including the character string, the item allocated to the character string, and the identification information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for adaptively, dynamically managing a budget adjusts budget categories in response to a potential purchase exceeding the target amount of one budget category and creating an overage. Certain budget categories may have an adjustable target amount while other budget categories may have fixed target amounts and, thus, the budget categories with adjustable target amounts may be adjusted or modified in order to accommodate an overage in another budget category. The budget categories to be modified may be selected based on various priorities and may be suggested to the user for modification upon selection.

Abstract: The PreGame payment system is provided to optimize throughput capacity for retail establishment, such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, or the like, by providing a secure and speedy method of accumulating and paying expenses on a tab maintained with the retail establishment. The PreGame system provides the everyday patron the opportunity to open, track, and close their own tabs with each retailer via their handheld or mobile device, eliminating any physical monetary exchanges or credit card exchanges between the retail staff person and the patron.

Abstract: A method includes: in response to detection of a patron, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating N partial confidence values based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with a unique patron identifier; and, based on the N partial confidence values, calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with the unique patron identifier. The method further includes: based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored ordering data that is associated with the unique patron identifier; setting ordering information to be output to the patron based on the overall confidence value and the stored ordering data; and outputting the ordering information to the patron using an ordering terminal.

Abstract: The present invention obviates the need for restaurants to install expensive physical hardware such as swings, slides, etc that consume valuable property real-estate, to provide playing entertainment to customers, by constructing a virtual playground out of objects typically found in restaurants such as salt and pepper shakers, napkin dispensers, spoons, forks, plates, glasses, menu cards, pizza-boxes, etc. The present invention virtualizes these real-world objects and uses the virtualized characters to populate a virtual playground that is overlaid on top of real-world objects. This virtual playground allows users to manipulate virtual characters facilitating gameplay and entertainment.

Abstract: A refrigerator and/or freezer unit and system for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products in compliance with regulatory requirements. The unit contains compartments for each product type in multiple controlled temperature zones with sensors and readers to track product status and content. A user interface device in communication with an application service provider provides the user with a secure access to the content of the unit and product information. The application service provider provides the user with web accessed optimal management of product inventory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and distributing graphic representations of planograms used for the configuration, maintenance, and compliance confirmation in the display of merchandise and advertisements, are disclosed. Based on predefined merchandizing agreements, planograms are designed to define specific configurations of products and advertising collateral in specific locations. By referencing an identifier associated with a location, a corresponding planogram can be retrieved and used to generate a graphic representation of the planogram. The graphic representation of the planogram can be adjusted and superimposed onto a live or captured image of the location to indicate where objects should be placed or rearranged. Each object specified in the planogram can be visually represented as a picture superimposed in a position over an image or live view of the location captured by a client computing device by a user.

Abstract: A system and method provide automated identification mechanisms that facilitate efficiencies in inventory monitoring, management and control, including reducing labor costs associated with product placement, product inventorying, and shelf stocking/re-stocking in retail marketing scenarios, and advising consumers/customers regarding product pricing, promotional, nutritional and other information. Near field communication or other similar identification devices are embedded in retail-ready composite packaging. The embedded communication and identification devices provide identification information regarding the product with which the packaging is associated to a wireless reader device as a retailer's employee walks by a set of shelves stocked with an assortment of such packaged products. Mechanisms are included for tracking the addition or removal of items from the retail-ready container.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a process for reconciling billing measures to cost factors, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, a set of billing measures from one or more applications and a set of cost factors from infrastructure feeds. Analyzing the set of billing measures and cost factors received, using a set of defined relationships to create analyzed information and generates, by the one or more processors, a set of reports using the analyzed information. Responsive to a determination to update the set of definitions, update the sets of definitions using information from the generated reports.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for adaptively, dynamically managing a budget adjusts budget categories in response to a potential purchase exceeding the target amount of one budget category and creating an overage. Certain budget categories may have an adjustable target amount while other budget categories may have fixed target amounts and, thus, the budget categories with adjustable target amounts may be adjusted or modified in order to accommodate an overage in another budget category. The budget categories to be modified may be selected based on various priorities and may be suggested to the user for modification upon selection.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a process for reconciling billing measures to cost factors, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, a set of billing measures from one or more applications and a set of cost factors from infrastructure feeds. Analyzing the set of billing measures and cost factors received, using a set of defined relationships to create analyzed information and generates, by the one or more processors, a set of reports using the analyzed information. Responsive to a determination to update the set of definitions, update the sets of definitions using information from the generated reports.