Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a consumables preparation area comprising an electronically stored consumables inventory update initiator, said update initiator: comprising one or more of: a barcode scanner, a quick response (QR) code scanner, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader, a scanner configured for optical character recognition (OCR) and digital scales; and being configured for use within the dwelling or establishment in which said consumables are to be transformed for use. According to another aspect there is provided a method of updating an electronically stored consumables inventory using such a consumables preparation area.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying customers of a retail enterprise of checkout queue activity includes a stored identification code identifying a location in or near a customer entry area to multiple point-of-sale systems grouped together in a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise, and customer codes associated in a database with various customers of the retail enterprise, monitoring purchase transaction activity at each of the plurality of point-of-sale systems. An operating state of each of the point-of-sale systems is determined based on the monitored purchase transaction activity thereof. In response to a wirelessly received customer code and identification code, a notification message is wirelessly transmitted to a mobile communication device identified by a matching one of the customer codes in the database if the wirelessly received identification code matches the stored identification code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying merchandise in an inventory system, including: receiving and storing a design in a database of a computer system; developing a pattern from the design and storing the pattern in the database; sending the pattern to a cutting or pattern device, to cut a material for manufacture of the merchandise; capturing and storing images from the cut of the material for the merchandise using an image capturing device, to obtain pattern information and measurements; sending the captured images, pattern information and measurements, to an enterprise resource planning system for manufacture and processing; embedding a unique identification into each piece of merchandise during manufacture and processing; and captured, tagging, and storing images of the manufactured and processed piece of merchandise with the embedded identification, in the inventory system.

Abstract: A computer system receives, from a client device, a virtual bill request including user identification information of a user associated with the client device and then activates a virtual bill and associates the virtual bill with the client device, the virtual bill having a predefined effective time period. After receiving data corresponding to one or more items added to the virtual bill within the predefined effective time period through respective close proximity data communication between the client device and one or more respective terminals, the computer system determines a value based on the data corresponding to the one or more items and sends a verification request to the client device. Upon receipt of verification information responsive to the verification request, the computer system initiates a transfer of the value from an account associated with the user in accordance with a determination that the verification information is valid.

Abstract: Technologies for enhancing credit transactions include a point of sale computing system. The point of sale computing system receives payment vehicle data for a credit transaction associated with a purchase event. The point of sale computing system determines whether the credit transaction is an alternate routing candidate. The point of sale computing system routes an authorization request message to an issuer computing system via a payment card network in response to a determination that the credit transaction is not an alternate routing candidate. Alternatively, the point of sale computing system routes the authorization request message directly to the issuer computing system via a PIN debit network in response to a determination that the credit transaction is an alternate routing candidate. A corresponding authorization response message is received by the point of sale computing system via the payment card network or the PIN debit network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The number of entering customers and number of paying customers in a store are obtained, statistical information indicating temporal change in status of the number of entering customers and the number of paying customers in a store is generated, the statistical information is displayed along a time axis, the number of a timeslot which is a selection point is displayed on the time axis, and the video of the inside of the store corresponding to the selected timeslot is displayed in response to the user's operation to select the timeslot.

Abstract: Prior ordering history of a product is examined to determine an historical ordering quantity distribution for a product. A customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of a product is then compared against the determined historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution for the product. When the customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of the product falls below a certain probability threshold determined using the historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution, or is otherwise suspicious, the customer is notified of a suspected error in the provided product order quantity and/or asked to verify if the provided product quantity is correct.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for the automated provision of goods through the use of scanning systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for automatically conveying which goods are being ordered, where the goods will be picked up, an associated method of payment, kitchen fulfillment, item tracking, and automatic delivery by a dispenser apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is applied to the automated ordering and pick-up of food items at a fast food restaurant.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a peer-to-peer consensus system and method for maintaining a manipulation resistant updateable shared ledger. The system achieves consensus on a shared ledger between a plurality of peers and prevents double spending in light of network latency, data corruption and intentional manipulation of the system. Consensus is achieved and double spending is prevented via the use of the widest chain metric to choose a single consensus transaction record. A trustable record is also facilitated by allowing stakeholders to elect a set of trusted non-colluding block signers to cooperatively add transactions to the consensus record. The voting mechanism is a real-time auditable stake weighted approval voting mechanism.

Abstract: A method includes storing payroll information for an employee of an employer. The payroll information may include the employee's name, address, electronic contact information, etc. A payroll service computer may receive an indication from an employer that the computer is to make a payroll disbursement to the employee. The computer may present disbursement options to the employee. The employee may select one of the disbursement options. The computer may initiate the payroll disbursement in accordance with the option selected by the employee.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for the automated provision of goods through the use of scanning systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for automatically conveying which goods are being ordered, where the goods will be picked up, an associated method of payment, kitchen fulfillment, item tracking, and automatic delivery by a dispenser apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is applied to the automated ordering and pick-up of food items at a fast food restaurant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an information processing apparatus is mountable on and demountable from a docking station, and has an input device, an acquisition unit to acquire information indicating an operator for user authentication, and a processor. When the apparatus is mounted on the docking station, the processor permits acceptance of the operation input by the input device, without starting up the acquisition unit. When the apparatus is demounted from the docking station, the processor starts up the acquisition unit, and performs user authentication based on the information indicating the operator which has been acquired by the started up acquisition unit. When the operator is approved as a specific operator of the information processing apparatus, as a result of the user authentication, the processor permits acceptance of the operation input by the input device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for tracking removal or placement of items at inventory locations with a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user may remove an item from an inventory location and the inventory management system may detect that removal and update a user item list associated with the user to include an item identifier representative of the removed item. Likewise, if the user places an item at an inventory location, the inventory management system may detect that placement and update the user item list to remove an item identifier representative of the placed item.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable memory containing instructions include receiving a DNS request containing authentication information, validating the authentication information, determining an appropriate action to take based on the validating status, and taking the appropriate action. Actions may include responding with an individualized network layer address or service location address, delaying sending a response message, sending a network layer address or service location address corresponding to a site containing authentication information, and sending a response with a network layer address or service location address with a web address configured to mimic the website related to the requested resource.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive indication that a chargeable vehicle is within proximity to a known charging point. The processor is also configured to determine if the charging point is available for immediate use. The processor is further configured to notify a vehicle driver if the charging point is available for immediate use and offer an option to receive notification when a charging point is available for use if the charging point is not available for immediate use.

Abstract: An information processing system according to one embodiment includes a first specifying unit, a second specifying unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. The first specifying unit specifies one or more first evaluation points of view corresponding to an expression in first information created by a provider of an object based on dictionary data indicating association between an expression and an evaluation point of view. The second specifying unit specifies one or more second evaluation points of view corresponding to the expression in second information created by a reviewer for the object based on the dictionary data. The generation unit generates supplementary information based on a difference in an evaluation degree between the first evaluation point of view and the second evaluation point of view. The output unit outputs the supplementary information.

Abstract: A management system receives inputs over a period of time from outputs of one or more sensors placed within a proximity to a service area, the one or more sensors for detecting at least one of at least one weight and at least one sound. The management system dynamically estimating, based on a rate of a percentage of change of the at least one weight over the period of time and types of sounds of the at least one sound for the service area, one or more wait times until a completion of use of the service area. The management system dynamically generating one or more wait time estimates in real time for a particular user requesting a particular service area size met by a current service area size of the service area based on the one or more wait times and a current number of other users waiting for the particular service area size.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for proximity auditing of removable media cartridge magazines in a data storage library. For example, a proximity sensor mounted on a robotic assembly can be used to detect one or more target features of cartridge magazines. In particular, the proximity sensor can look for relatively large structural features of a removable cartridge magazine in a manner that is fast and reliable, and does not rely on precise positioning of the robotic assembly with respect to the magazine. Some implementations can use the proximity sensor in conjunction with further auditing and/or other functions of line camera, and/or other sensors of the robotic assembly. Proximity-based auditing of the magazines can permit storage library systems to initialize faster and with more reliable inventory information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an integrated automated bill and budget reconciliation, cash flow allocation, and payment software system are disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies and implementations for facilitating visual analysis of transactions utilizing analytics are generally disclosed.