Abstract: Price searching via a mobile device reading display screen graphics is provided. A system for obtaining pricing information comprises at least one subsystem that electronically reads a price of a product using a mobile device scanning a display screen, at least one subsystem that searches for other available products and price data to compare to the electronically read price and product data, at least one subsystem that compares the price data of the other products to the electronically read price data, and at least one subsystem that presents purchase options based upon results of the comparison of the price and product data.

Abstract: A mobile-device adapter to facilitate the exchange of visual information between a mobile device and a point-of-sale terminal is disclosed. The mobile-device adapter may be connected to a point-of-sale terminal at a retail checkout and configured to allow a customer to temporarily position their mobile device so that the mobile-device adapter may (i) image the mobile-device display and (ii) present images to the mobile-device camera. In this way, the mobile-device adapter may facilitate electronic transactions using visual images.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to determining an availability of a transaction capability of a point-of-sale terminal, and alerting a customer of an availability of the transaction capability. Login activity can be detected at a point-of-sale terminal. An availability of a transaction capability for the point-of-sale terminal can be determined based on data retrieved by the point-of-sale terminal in response to the login activity. A visual alert associated with the transaction capability of the point-of-sale terminal is controlled based on the availability of the transaction capability.

Abstract: A system for providing location-based services to a mobile device regularly determines the location of the mobile device. Using the location of the device, the system queries a database of virtual geographic regions to determine if the location of the mobile device falls within one or more of the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions correspond to service entities that have purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise acquired the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions cover a certain area of a map. If the mobile device is within a virtual geographic region, the system notifies the mobile device. A location-based services application installed on the mobile device launches an applet for the entity that acquired the virtual geographic region within which the mobile device is located.

Abstract: A spending analysis display is provided that includes a spending analysis number associated with a defined Uber financial transaction category and that indicates to a user an average spending amount for the current time period category, such as a weekday or a weekend day, during a defined comparison timeframe, such as the last 30 days. The spending analysis number calculated and displayed varies according to the current time, and the determined time period category of the current time. Consequently, as one example, the spending analysis number calculated and displayed for a weekday, or work day, is likely different than the spending analysis number calculated and displayed on a weekend day, or non-work day.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide an item recommendation service in an electronic marketplace. Recommendations may be provided to a user of an electronic marketplace to offer an item via the electronic marketplace based on identifying requests for items from other users. In at least one embodiment, the request for an item from the other users may be identified as an item other than a plurality of items offered by the electronic marketplace or by the user. One or more sellers who offer items similar to the requested item may be identified based on a category of the requested item. A recommendation may be provided to an identified seller to offer the requested item via the electronic marketplace.

Abstract: Techniques for ranking the importance of various attributes associated with various product categories are described. According to various embodiments, product category information identifying various products in a particular product category in the inventory of a marketplace website is accessed. The product category information may further identify a set of attributes associated with the products in the particular product category. An importance value associated with each of the attributes is then calculated, the importance values indicating an importance of each of the attributes for uniquely identifying the products in the product category. Thereafter, each of the attributes are ranked, based on the importance value associated with each of the attributes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing and replicating databases are provided. Methods may include receiving an accounts receivable information query from a system user. The accounts receivable information query may include a payment. The payment may include a credit card payment, an EFT, a paper check and any other suitable payment. Methods may include reviewing a central database for information pertaining to the accounts receivable query. The central database may include replicated credit card databases, replicated EFT databases, replicated paper check databases and any other suitable databases. Methods may include locating, in the central database, an invoice which may exceed a threshold level of correlation to the account receivable information query. Methods may include displaying to a system user the accounts receivable information query and the corresponding invoice.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.

Abstract: A system and methods expedite and make secure payment data entry, and payment and authorization and authorization, for both in-store and online purchases. A mobile app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, on a mobile communication device, generates a barcode to be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal. Optional confirmation is sent to an app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, to confirm a purchase. An independent app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, generates a barcode that is sent directly to an online point-of-sale system. The method allows a purchaser to use the same app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, to purchase from any retailer with installed collaborating software.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for intelligent payment capture in mixed fulfillment transactions. For example, the techniques described herein may include generating a purchase ticket associated with multiple items in a mixed fulfillment transaction. The purchase ticket may facilitate conducting a mixed fulfillment transaction in which a payment instrument is authorized for the cost of the multiple items in the mixed fulfillment transaction, with partial payment captures being made as items are fulfilled without requiring additional authorizations.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method for online, web-based point of sale (POS) building and configuration, which can assist non-expert business operators in building, editing and testing a point of sale system to manage their businesses. The business operations range from a single branch to a large chain of stores or branches. The key advantages of the Web-based POS builder are that it is completely built on the foundation of the Web. The POS builder is accessible anywhere in the world. It can be used by a person of any skill level. The POS builder builds, edits, and tests new POS terminals in real time.

Abstract: A method for authorizing access to goods and services, including issuing an access voucher by a voucher issuing device, the access voucher having identification of the goods and services and an identification of the point of sale, presenting the access voucher to a reading device of the point of sale, transferring the identification of the goods and services and the identification of the point of sale by the reading device to a processing device of the point of sale, the processing device having access to a database with stored identification of goods and services and to a database with stored identification of the point of sale, comparing the transferred identification of goods and services and the transferred identification of the point of sale by the processing device with the stored identification of the goods and services and the stored identification of the point of sale, and authorizing access to the goods if the identification matches.

Abstract: A system for transcription is controlled and optimized by computer software which implements a competitive market for jobs is presented. Jobs are characterized by type, deadline, domain, difficulty, pay rate, customer and other factors. Editors are given credentials to perform jobs based on a complex of editor and job characteristics, and all editors qualified for a given job may then perform actions to preview and to claim the job. Job characteristics are adjusted dynamically to ensure that they are completed accurately and according to schedule.

Abstract: A greeting card stored-value card combinations and methods of forming said combinations are provided. In one embodiment, these combinations include a greeting card comprising means for affixing a stored-value card thereto. These combinations also include a stored-value card affixed to the greeting card. A single identifier, such as a Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU) or a Universal Product Code (UPC), is assigned to the bundle that uniquely identifies the bundled greeting card and stored-value card. The single identifier provides identification means allowing the stored-value card to be activated. A single capture of the single identifier enables the customer to both purchase the greeting card stored-value card combination product as well as to activate the store-value card.

Abstract: A remote ordering system is provided using an electronic menu having a series of input devices associated with various menu items, and a wireless transmitter to send selected menu items to a receiving device for processing. A display to show selected menu items, an alpha-numeric keyboard, a non-cash payment device, and a printer for receipts are also contemplated for increased functionality. The menu may be remotely updated to reflect the customer's preferences or a change to the menu choices.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and software for automatically planning and scheduling ocean-going vessels for oil distribution is provided. The scheduling of the vessels is based on a filtered beam search and greedy heuristic. A server can be used for receiving a schedule request and one or more constraints for scheduling one or more vessels from one or more users. An optimization engine can be used for generating a schedule based at least in part on the one or more constraints using a beam search algorithm.

Abstract: Materials handling vehicles are integrated with enterprise computing systems by providing a transceiver on a vehicle, where the transceiver is configured for wireless data communication across a wireless computing environment. More particularly, integration is implemented by configuring a processor on the materials handling vehicle to: communicate with the transceiver for wireless communication to a corresponding server computer, to communicate with at least one electronics component of the materials handling vehicle across a vehicle network bus and to receive logon information to identify an operator logging onto the materials handling vehicle.

Abstract: A lead marketplace system and method are provided. The lead marketplace system and method provides an auction for leads.