Abstract: Examples provides sale-restricted items management for self-checkout. A list of sale-restricted items is displayed via a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a user interface. A notification component transmits a notification to a user device associated with an authorized user to verify a transaction responsive to an unauthorized user selection of a sale-restricted item from the list of sale-restricted items displayed. The notification includes an identification of the selected sale-restricted item and location of the selected sale-restricted item. A verification component authorizes completion of the transaction associated with the selected sale-restricted item by the unauthorized user on condition an age verification is obtained from the user device associated with the authorized user. Responsive to the authorization, an unlocking signal is sent to a locking storage device storing the selected sale-restricted item.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing product returns. In some embodiments, a system for processing returns comprises a POS terminal located in a retail facility and configured to receive an order identifier associated with an online order that includes a product purchased from a third-party seller via the retailer's website, wherein the retail facility is a brick-and-mortar facility associated with the retailer, and wherein the third-party seller is not the retailer, and transmit, to a control circuit, the order identifier, a database configured to store order information, and the control circuit configured to receive the order identifier, determine the product, determine a refund amount for the product, determine a location to which the product should be returned, generate a return label, create a return transaction for the product, and transmit the return label, wherein the POS terminal is configured to print the return label.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing product returns. In some embodiments, a system for processing returns comprises a POS terminal located in a retail facility and configured to receive an order identifier associated with an online order that includes a product purchased from a third-party seller via the retailer's website, wherein the retail facility is a brick-and-mortar facility associated with the retailer, and wherein the third-party seller is not the retailer, and transmit, to a control circuit, the order identifier, a database configured to store order information, and the control circuit configured to receive the order identifier, determine the product, determine a refund amount for the product, determine a location to which the product should be returned, generate a return label, create a return transaction for the product, and transmit the return label, wherein the POS terminal is configured to print the return label.

Abstract: Examples provides sale-restricted items management for self-checkout. A list of sale-restricted items is displayed via a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a user interface. A notification component transmits a notification to a user device associated with an authorized user to verify a transaction responsive to an unauthorized user selection of a sale-restricted item from the list of sale-restricted items displayed. The notification includes an identification of the selected sale-restricted item and location of the selected sale-restricted item. A verification component authorizes completion of the transaction associated with the selected sale-restricted item by the unauthorized user on condition an age verification is obtained from the user device associated with the authorized user. Responsive to the authorization, an unlocking signal is sent to a locking storage device storing the selected sale-restricted item.

Abstract: Examples provide customized authorization of item self-returns. A customized returns manager component calculates a customized return-trust score and a per-item return value based on analysis of item data and transaction history data. If a per-user return-trust score is within an unacceptable threshold range or an item value is within an unacceptable threshold value range, a second user is assigned to assist a first user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item. If the per-user return-trust score and the item value is within an acceptable threshold range, a return authorization component authorizes unassisted self-return of the selected item. An item disposition component determines in real-time whether to permit the first user to keep the selected item or instruct the first user to return the selected item to a designated item return area prior to completion of the item return based on a set of item disposition criteria.

Abstract: A connectivity sled for docking and undocking a mobile computer and a payment device, comprises a first adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the payment device, including a configuration that couples to a surface of the payment device is exposes all ports, function keys, and interfaces of the payment device and at least one magnet. The sled further comprising a second adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the mobile computer, including a first portion that couples to a top surface of the mobile computer device, and at least one magnet that magnetically couples to the at least one magnet of the first adapter plate assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing product returns. In some embodiments, a system for processing returns comprises a POS terminal located in a retail facility and configured to receive an order identifier associated with an online order that includes a product purchased from a third-party seller via the retailer's website, wherein the retail facility is a brick-and-mortar facility associated with the retailer, and wherein the third-party seller is not the retailer, and transmit, to a control circuit, the order identifier, a database configured to store order information, and the control circuit configured to receive the order identifier, determine the product, determine a refund amount for the product, determine a location to which the product should be returned, generate a return label, create a return transaction for the product, and transmit the return label, wherein the POS terminal is configured to print the return label.

Abstract: Examples provides sale-restricted items management for self-checkout. A list of sale-restricted items is output to a first user via a user interface associated with a self-checkout device. The user interface enables the first user to navigate options associated with selecting a sale-restricted item, including brand, variety, size and quantity options. A notification component outputs a retrieval alert to a set of user devices associated with a second user authorized to retrieve the selected item. The alert includes an identification of the selected item, a location of the selected item, a self-checkout device identifier and an instruction to retrieve the selected item. A verification component verifies an age of the first user. The second user delivers the retrieved item to the first user at the self-checkout for completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A connectivity sled for docking and undocking a mobile computer and a payment device, comprises a first adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the payment device, including a configuration that couples to a surface of the payment device is exposes all ports, function keys, and interfaces of the payment device and at least one magnet. The sled further comprising a second adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the mobile computer, including a first portion that couples to a top surface of the mobile computer device, and at least one magnet that magnetically couples to the at least one magnet of the first adapter plate assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to determining a disposition path for a returned item. In some embodiments, a system comprises a database including item-specific data for a plurality of items and customer data for a plurality of customers, a control circuit configured to determine a suggested disposition path for each of the items, transmit the suggested disposition path for each of the plurality of items, and a user device configured to receive, from a user, a return initiation including an indication of an item and a customer, and transmit the return initiation, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive the return initiation, determine a trust score for the customer, determine a suggested disposition path for the item, determine, based on the trust score and the suggested disposition path, a disposition path for the item, and transmit an indication of the disposition.

Abstract: Examples provide customized authorization of item self-returns. A customized returns manager component calculates a customized return-trust score and a per-item return value based on analysis of item data and transaction history data. If a per-user return-trust score is within an unacceptable threshold range or an item value is within an unacceptable threshold value range, a second user is assigned to assist a first user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item. If the per-user return-trust score and the item value is within an acceptable threshold range, a return authorization component authorizes unassisted self-return of the selected item. An item disposition component determines in real-time whether to permit the first user to keep the selected item or instruct the first user to return the selected item to a designated item return area prior to completion of the item return based on a set of item disposition criteria.

Abstract: A system for transporting merchandise returned by a customer from a customer service area or a retail store to a back storage area of a retail store comprises a customer facing device for use by a retail store customer to enter return merchandise data; a scanning device for identifying the returned merchandise; and at least one conveyor belt at the retail store for transporting the returned merchandise from the customer service area to the back storage area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating package tracking are provided. A method may include, in response to activation of a piezoelectric RFID tag coupled to a customer order package, transmitting a signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag, the signal including customer order information. The method may further include receiving, at a first RFID reader at a retail store, the signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag including the customer order information. The method may also include logging, based on receiving of the signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag at the first RFID reader, the customer order package as having an arrived status at a customer order package server in communication with the first RFID reader. The method may additionally include, in response to logging the customer order package as having the arrived status at the customer order package server, transmitting a customer order notification to a customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating automated checkout are provided. A method may include, in response to activation of a piezoelectric RFID tag coupled to a merchandise item, transmitting a signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag, the signal including merchandise item information. The method may further include receiving, at a passive RFID reader, the signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag including the merchandise item information. The method may also include determining, based on detection of the signal from the piezoelectric RFID tag including the merchandise item information at the passive RFID reader, whether the merchandise item should be added to an electronic shopping cart. The method may additionally include, in response to determining that the merchandise item should be added to the electronic shopping cart, adding the merchandise item to the electronic shopping cart based on the merchandise item information.

Abstract: A system is described for making use of recycled containers, such as recyclable bags. The shopper first opts into a reusable bag recycling program using a computing device, such as a smartphone. The shopper may select and purchase products through an e-commerce system. The e-commerce system determines if the shopper has allergies and if so, either provides a non-allergenic reusable bag to shopper, or uses non-allergenic bags to package the products purchased through the e-commerce system. If the shopper does not have allergies, then a standard reusable bag will be used. An automated dispensing unit receives reusable bags, authenticates, tests, sanitizes and stores the reusable bags. Credit is provided to shopper for each reusable bag returned. It also debits the account of shopper for reusable bags provided to shopper or used to package products purchased through the e-commerce system.