Abstract: A method includes determining, by a management module, to complete an inventory request, the inventory request identifying an inventory item. The method also includes identifying, by the management module, an inventory holder storing the inventory item, and identifying, by the management module, a mobile drive unit to transport the inventory holder to an inventory station.

Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, the consumer identifying data may be associated with a unit of location, such as a dine-in location at a restaurant, to facilitate consumer service.

Abstract: A material harmonization disposition system is provided to harmonize disparate material databases by identifying volumes of common database inventory parts and operating as a database authorizing tool for declaring and recording common inventory parts in categorized manner for disposition.

Abstract: An order relating to a formulation-based product is received, wherein fulfilling the order requires production of the formulation-based product at a first location, transport of the formulation-based product in a vehicle to a second location different from the first location, and performance of an activity with respect to the formulation-based product at the second location. First information relating to a first change made to the formulation-based product at the first location is received, from the first location, prior to transport of the formulation-based product. Second information relating to a second change made to the formulation-based product during transport of the formulation-based product is received during transport of the formulation-based product. Third information relating to the activity performed with respect to the formulation-based product at the second location is received from the second location.

Abstract: Technologies for closed-looped testing of integrated circuit card payment terminals include loading a test profile onto an integrated circuit payment card. Authorization request and response messages are locally generated and translated to simulate acquirer processor processing and payment network processing. An outcome report indicative of the outcome of the test transaction is generated and transmitted to a remote certification server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

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 and method including an Internet preordering system accessible online or onsite at a free-standing kiosk located in or near client properties in which customers may create profiles for the requested services and provide such information to the service provider in advance of the customer's arrival for the requested services. When the customer arrives, the customer identifies himself/herself and the preorder is accessed, verified and/or modified. The preorder is then forwarded to the service provider and the delivery of the service is optimally timed to the readiness of the customer. The customer's profile and preorder information are maintained in a database and used for in-house precision marketing campaigns and cross-promotional opportunities. For example, in a restaurant embodiment, a registered customer is given access to menus and may create menu preferences for a participating restaurant.

Abstract: Customer-used objects, such as tabletops, dinnerware, and retail racks, are impregnated with an accelerometer, a processor, and a Bluetooth chip. Taping or knocking such an entity by alerts a worker of a requested service. The accelerometer captures vibration data associated with the tapping or knocking and sends that data to the processor. The processor recognizes the gesture's vibrations. Finally, a recognized gesture will command the Bluetooth chip to send an alert to the server. The invention prevents a customer from second-guessing possible orders or purchases and allows an employee to become more efficient, thus saving time money.

Abstract: A method for storing inventory items in an inventory system includes detecting that an inventory holder is available for storage and determining a classification of the inventory holder. The method also includes determining a classification of each of a plurality of storage locations and selecting a storage location for the inventory holder based, at least in part, on the classification of the inventory holder and the classification of the selected storage location. The method additionally includes transmitting information identifying the storage location to a mobile drive unit associated with the inventory holder.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: At each of a plurality of merchant Point Of Service terminals (POS), for each of a plurality of consumers, where each consumer seeks to conduct a transaction with the merchant for a good or service by using a payment device issued by an issuer in a payment system, data is read from the payment device. The data can include an identifier for an account issued by an issuer. The consumer is permitted to receive the good or service from the merchant prior to validating the account with the issuer. Transaction information for each transaction is stored during a predetermined aggregation criteria, such as time period, number of transactions, monetary volume, etc., into an aggregation set of said transactions. During the predetermined aggregation criteria, an evaluation is made, by communication with the corresponding issuer, whether the accounts in the aggregation set of transactions are valid.

Abstract: A method comprising determining an inventory exception inference associated with a product, determining an inventory inspection directive for the product based, at least in part, on the inventory exception inference, receiving the inspected inventory state data based, at least in part, on the inventory inspection directive, and determining that an actual inventory exception exists for the product based, at least in part, on the inspected inventory state data is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a point of sale (POS) transaction including: receiving non video data regarding the POS transaction; defining exceptional transaction rules based at least on predetermined non video POS data events; inferring a potentially exceptional transaction based on a corresponding exceptional transaction rule and the received POS non video data; and verifying the inferred potentially exceptional transaction with video data regarding a corresponding POS transaction.

Abstract: A mobile point-of-sale system includes a cart frame and a battery housed in the cart frame. The cart frame includes a front having a bottom, a back having a bottom edge and a bottom. The bottom includes a pair of upper flanges and a lower housing. The pair of upper flanges have components for receiving wheels for supporting the cart frame and the lower housing includes at least one aperture for venting heat from the battery that is supported by the lower housing. At least a portion of the lower housing and the battery are located below the pair of upper flanges and are located below the bottom edges of the front and the back.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for implementing service level agreements (SLAs) having variable service delivery requirements and pricing in a networked (e.g. cloud) computing environment. Under embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of SLAs, each having a different price level, is made available to a consumer. The consumer may select one or more of the plurality of SLAs that reflects the consumer's service delivery requirements in a cloud computing environment. A consumer having relatively inflexible service delivery requirements may select one of the SLAs having a relatively higher price, whereas a consumer having relatively flexible service delivery requirements may select one of the SLAs having a relatively lower price. In one embodiment, the SLAs may dynamically provide for relatively lower variable pricing in response to the consumer receiving deferred or a relatively lower level of service during a peak service demand load.

Abstract: A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for providing substitute item recommendations in order status messages are described. In various embodiments, a customer may submit an order for one or more items to a merchant. In various cases, the merchant may fulfill the order by preparing a shipment that includes the one or more ordered items and shipping that shipment to the customer. In some cases, at least one item of the order may be delayed or canceled for a variety of reasons. In various embodiments, the merchant may utilize an exception management component to generate an orders status message (for the customer) that specifies the item has been delayed or canceled. The merchant may also utilize the exception management component to generate the order status message such that the order status message also includes a recommendation of one or more substitute items that the customer may be interested in.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for the aggregate monitoring of utilization data for vendor products in cloud networks. A service can be abstracted and provided external to a set of cloud networks which can access the management system(s), vendor databases, or other resources in those clouds, and generate selective reports on application or other usage across those diverse cloud networks. A network user may wish to generate a report on the usage history of software or services in multiple host clouds, without establishing or accessing individual tracking servers or services in each of the host cloud networks. In aspects, the user may also wish to generate an aggregate report combining multiple vendors, user groups, software, or other attributes. The usage report(s) can be configured to use different criteria or generate different outputs on a dynamic basis, e.g. in different times frames, or altering reports under different usage conditions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing certain aspects of a large industrial operation (such as a pipeline). A commodity materials invoice system may allow a user to model a commodity invoice as a template and subsequently use that template to model commodity usage for different periods of time. Costs for a given billing period may be estimated based on actual commodity consumption. For example, data from a SCADA system monitoring different aspects of a pipeline may be used to estimate invoice costs for retail commodity consumption. The commodity materials invoice system may be configured to present both estimated and actualized invoice data side-by-side, allowing users to make a direct comparison of the estimated and actualized invoice data.

Abstract: Methods and systems using a single centralized database to manage postal accounting data are provided. The central database may interface with remote postal meters by way of one or more transient data collectors, which cache data from associated meters and transmit the data to the central database. The data collectors also validate postage accounts to the associated meters. The use of local transient data collectors allows for a single centralized database to be used without requiring data replication among databases local to each computer that manages postal meters.