Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to printing radio frequency identification tag on a sales receipt. In some embodiments, a system comprises a printer, wherein the printer is configured to produce at least a portion of circuitry required for the RFID tag and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the printer, the control circuit configured to identify items associated with a transaction, determine the at least the portion of the circuitry of the RFID tag to be printed, associated the RFID tag with one or more of the items, cause the printer to print the at least the portion of the circuitry required for the RFID tag on the receipt, receive, from an RFID reader, an indication of the RFID tag and indications of RFID tags associated with products, and compare the indications of the RFID tags associated with products and the one or more of the items associated with the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system for roll-up payments in a retail environment is provided. The system includes a processor coupled to a memory storing a wish list associated with a wish list user identifying an item, customer registration information identifying a registered customer associated with the wish list, and an amount of available funds associated with the wish list, an interface component configured to receive sales transaction information and provide updated sales transaction information, and a roll-up payment component. The roll-up payment component is configured to match identification information associated with the registered customer with the received sales transaction information, increase the transaction amount and the amount of available funds, determine whether the amount of available funds has transgressed a threshold amount equal to a purchase price of an item on the wish list, and generate a notification for the wish list user.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a dependent of a customer within a retail facility. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a non-permanent ink marker, wherein the non-permanent ink marker includes componentry for an RFID tag, and wherein the non-permanent ink marker is configured to be adhered to the dependent, one or more RFID readers configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the RFID tag, and a control circuit, configured to receive, from a mobile device of the customer, registration information, associate, with the mobile device of the customer based on the registration information, the RFID tag, receive, from at least one of the RFID readers, a signal from the RFID tag, determine, based on the signal received from the RFID tag, that an event has occurred, and transmit, an alert to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for smart facilities monitoring. Servers and other computing devices configured according to this disclosure can receive data, in real-time or at periodic intervals, from multiple sensors. The server can identify the type of data being received and perform an analysis on the data. Based on that analysis, the server can determine if a notification needs to be communicated to an individual. This notification can, for example, inform the individual of a problem identified by the sensor. The server can generate the notification, determine to whom the notification should be sent, and transmit that notification.

Abstract: An augmented refrigerated display unit is provided. The refrigerated display unit includes a door being hingedly attached to the refrigerated display unit, an augmentation drive operatively connected to a hinge of the door for applying an assistive force to the door, and an initiation sensor configured to detect an application of a manual force to the door. The augmentation drive applies an assistive opening force to the door in response to detection by the initiation sensor of an application of the manual force to open the door, a holding force in response to a detection of the door reaching an open position, and an assistive closing force to the door in response to a detection of the manual force being applied to close the door.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are generally directed to shopping carts and associated systems and methods. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include a shopping cart body and a plurality of wheels supporting the shopping cart body. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include a receiver configured to detect a position of the shopping cart relative to a range of a network or an area defined by a geo-fence. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include an electromagnetic generator operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels. A resistive load can be selectively connected between an input and an output of the electromagnetic generator to restrict rotation of the at least one of the plurality of wheels as the position of the shopping cart detected by the receiver varies between within or outside of the range of the network or the area defined by the geo-fence.

Abstract: A control circuit has access to both a relational database comprised of structured data and a text-based index of reciprocal queries for the relational database. The control circuit, upon receiving a text-based query via a user input, applies the text-based query to the text-based index of reciprocal queries to thereby obtain one or more reciprocal queries that the control circuit uses to query the relational database for structured data content responsive to the text-based query. By one approach the text-based index of reciprocal queries comprises a text-based index of SQL reciprocal queries. By one approach the text-based index of reciprocal queries comprises at least one virtual document.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein useful to generating social media posts for customers shopping in a retail shopping facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the plurality of RFID tags is associated with a product in the retail shopping facility, a mobile device, wherein the mobile device includes an RFID reader, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an identity of a customer, receive, from the RFID reader, the signals from the plurality of RFID tags, determine, based on the signals from the plurality of RFID tags, a selected product, wherein the customer has chosen the selected product, determine, product information for the selected product, generate, based on the product information for the selected product and the identity of the customer, a social media post, and transmit, for publication, the social media post.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a dependent of a customer within a retail facility. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a non-permanent ink marker, wherein the non-permanent ink marker includes componentry for an RFID tag, and wherein the non-permanent ink marker is configured to be adhered to the dependent, one or more RFID readers configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the RFID tag, and a control circuit, configured to receive, from a mobile device of the customer, registration information, associate, with the mobile device of the customer based on the registration information, the RFID tag, receive, from at least one of the RFID readers, a signal from the RFID tag, determine, based on the signal received from the RFID tag, that an event has occurred, and transmit, an alert to the mobile device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to printing radio frequency identification tag on a sales receipt. In some embodiments, a system comprises a printer, wherein the printer is configured to produce at least a portion of circuitry required for the RFID tag and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the printer, the control circuit configured to identify items associated with a transaction, determine the at least the portion of the circuitry of the RFID tag to be printed, associated the RFID tag with one or more of the items, cause the printer to print the at least the portion of the circuitry required for the RFID tag on the receipt, receive, from an RFID reader, an indication of the RFID tag and indications of RFID tags associated with products, and compare the indications of the RFID tags associated with products and the one or more of the items associated with the RFID tag.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for smart facilities monitoring. Servers and other computing devices configured according to this disclosure can receive data, in real-time or at periodic intervals, from multiple sensors. The server can identify the type of data being received and perform an analysis on the data. Based on that analysis, the server can determine if a notification needs to be communicated to an individual. This notification can, for example, inform the individual of a problem identified by the sensor. The server can generate the notification, determine to whom the notification should be sent, and transmit that notification.

Abstract: Examples provide an authentication system for authorizing third-party pickup of items. An authentication controller obtains a user-generated token. The user-generated token is associated with an item to be picked up by a third-party user. The authentication controller creates a machine-generated token. The machine-generated token is transmitted to the third-party user. Upon receiving a request to pick up the item from the third-party user, the authentication controller compares tokens provided by the requesting third-party with the user-generated token and the machine-generated token. If the third-party provided tokens are valid, the requesting third-party is authorized to pick up the item and the request is accepted. The item is released to the authorized third-party requester. The item may be released via an item pickup kiosk or a locker system. If the tokens are invalid, the third-party request to pick up the item is rejected. A notification is sent to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage mediums for transporting inventory are provided to ensure that a retail business can replenish goods fast. An example method can include determining that a first business location requires replenishment of an item and that a second business location has the item. A delivery request is initiated for the item to be delivered from the second business location to the first retail location. The method causes broadcasting a courier opportunity to multiple couriers based on the delivery request and receiving a claim to deliver the item from at least one of the couriers. In response to receiving the claim, a task is assigned to a selected courier. Further, an account of the selected courier is debited when the item is picked up. When a confirmation that the item was delivered is received, the account of the selected courier is credited.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to providing recall notifications. In some embodiments, a system for providing recall notifications comprises a plurality of receivers, wherein the plurality of receivers are located about a customer's property, and wherein the plurality of receivers are configured to receive communications from transmitters associated with products within the customer's property, and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the plurality of receivers and configured to receive, from one or more of the plurality of receivers, an identifier, log, in a database, an indication of the identifiers and an indication of the customer, receive a recall notification, wherein the recall notification indicates at least one product, determine that the identifier is associated with the at least one product, determine, based on the database, that the customer possesses the at least one product, and transmit, to the customer, an indication of the recall notification.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for an electronic shelf label system. An electronic shelf-label disposed on shelving units and including an LED display can display a first set of information and a second set of information associated with like physical objects disposed on the supporting surfaces of shelves of the shelving units. Sensors disposed on the supporting surfaces of the shelves of the shelving unit, can detect attributes associated with the at least one set of like physical objects disposed on the shelving unit. The sensors can encode the attributes into electrical signals and transmit the electrical signals to a computing system. The computing system, can control an output of the at least one electronic shelf-label to change the display of the first and second set of information based on the plurality of attributes detected by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A control circuit detects a present navigation concern within a physical boundary such as a building and augments the presentation of a piloted vehicle's pilot's field of view to include cautionary imagery regarding the present navigation concern. Examples of navigation concerns include but are not limited to a risk of colliding with another piloted vehicle, human activity in the physical boundary, and a blocked-passageway state of concern. Examples of cautionary imagery include but are not limited to an image of a STOP sign, an image of a traffic light, and an image of a barrier.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for the visualization of multiple product attributes is disclosed. Disclosed is a method for multiple product attribute visualization. Provided is the visual representation of relative attribute values of similar products along with a customer selected product. The customer may select the various attributes of the products to be displayed. The customer may also filter to remove products having certain relative attribute values.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are generally directed to shopping carts and associated systems and methods. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include a shopping cart body and a plurality of wheels supporting the shopping cart body. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include a receiver configured to detect a position of the shopping cart relative to a range of a network or an area defined by a geo-fence. Exemplary embodiments of the shopping cart include an electromagnetic generator operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels. A resistive load can be selectively connected between an input and an output of the electromagnetic generator to restrict rotation of the at least one of the plurality of wheels as the position of the shopping cart detected by the receiver varies between within or outside of the range of the network or the area defined by the geo-fence.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a shopping cart communication system. The methods and systems are configured to receive, at an operator terminal of a first shopping cart, operator identifying information. The methods and systems are also configured to generate operator data based on the operator identifying information. The methods and systems are also configured to automatically transmit instructions to configure the graphic user interface of a display device of a second shopping cart to render an image for display to the operator of the first shopping cart, the image comprising a visual representation of the operator data. The methods and systems are also configured to display the rendered image on the display device of the second shopping cart.

Abstract: An augmented refrigerated display unit is provided. The refrigerated display unit includes a door being hingedly attached to the refrigerated display unit, an augmentation drive operatively connected to a hinge of the door for applying an assistive force to the door, and an initiation sensor configured to detect an application of a manual force to the door. The augmentation drive applies an assistive opening force to the door in response to detection by the initiation sensor of an application of the manual force to open the door, a holding force in response to a detection of the door reaching an open position, and an assistive closing force to the door in response to a detection of the manual force being applied to close the door.