Abstract: A kiosk comprises a display for displaying information related to a payment of a vehicle service; a special purpose processor that processes the payment of the vehicle service; and a dispenser for providing a key of the vehicle after the payment is processed.

Abstract: A system for directing a shopper to an item of interest in a store comprises a floor surface at a store configured with indicators that communicate with each other to identify a path for guiding a store visitor from a current location to a location of an item of interest; a mobile device application executed by a mobile electronic device, the mobile device application generating a request for locating the item of interest; and a special-purpose processor that calculates the path from the current location of the store visitor to the location of the item of interest in response to the request received from the mobile device application. The indicators identify the path in response to the special-purpose processor calculating the path.

Abstract: A shopping cart comprises a shopping cart body and a handle coupled to the shopping cart body. The handle includes a haptic feedback device for providing haptic feedback when the shopping cart body is in motion and a speaker that provides audio feedback when the shopping cart body is in motion along a navigation path at which an item of interest is positioned. The shopping cart further comprises an object detection device for detecting objects along the navigation path in communication with the haptic feedback device and/or the speaker for providing feedback or audio feedback, respectively. A navigation device identifies the navigation path to the item of interest. A special purpose processor processes a shopping list application that includes the item of interest, and communicates with the navigation device to determine the navigation path at which the item of interest is positioned.

Abstract: A system for delivering store items to a selected destination comprises a store computer that receives selected store item data including a delivery request; a delivery request database that stores the delivery request; and a delivery request application processor that provides a rule that includes criteria for selecting at least one delivery driver and generates a result that identifies a delivery driver of the at least one delivery driver satisfying the criteria of the generated rule.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to maintain an inventory of products within a product carrier. The product carrier utilizes a radio frequency (RF) blocking material and a RF reader disposed within an interior of the product carrier to identify products placed therein. The product carrier can further include an indicator on an exterior thereof to provide an indication regarding a status of the products within the product carrier.

Abstract: A security system comprises a wearable security apparatus having an electronic display and a storage device that stores data regarding a wearer and a receiver for receiving emergency information; a security scanner at a facility that communicates with the wearable device to receive and decode the stored data to determine a status of the wearer and whether the wearer may enter or leave the facility; and an associate registry that includes registration information regarding the wearer. The security scanner compares the stored data on the wearable device and the registration information in the associate registry to determine whether the status of the wearer is that the wearer is registered.

Abstract: A system for communicating the status of a produce product in a retail store is described. The system includes a produce weigh station and a produce status station. The produce weigh station includes a produce scale and a camera. The produce weigh station uses a captured digital image of the produce product to determine a product type of the produce product being weighed, as well as a product status of the produce product. The produce status can include, for example, whether the produce product is ripe, over-ripe, or under-ripe. The produce weigh station communicates the type of the produce product, the digital image, and the produce status to the produce status station. An employee of the retail store can use the produce status station to receive the produce status information without the employee having to be present in the produce sales department.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for executing on-line purchases. The apparatus includes three different servers, a ticket server, a doorman server, and a checkout server. The purchase tasks are spread among the servers, and timed, so that the on-line purchase can be handled without server overload and customers losing their place in line. The ticket server issues a purchase ticket to a customer. The purchase ticket includes a predetermined time after which the customer can present the ticket to purchase the purchase item. On or after the predetermined time, the customer presents the purchase ticket to the doorman server. The doorman server validates the ticket and checks that the predetermined time has passed. Once the doorman server approves the purchase ticket, the doorman server passes the purchase ticket to the checkout server with a purchase approval indicator. The checkout server then executes the on-line purchase of the purchase item.

Abstract: A security system comprises a wearable security apparatus having an electronic display and a storage device that stores data regarding a wearer and a receiver for receiving emergency information; a security scanner at a facility that communicates with the wearable device to receive and decode the stored data to determine a status of the wearer and whether the wearer may enter or leave the facility; and an associate registry that includes registration information regarding the wearer. The security scanner compares the stored data on the wearable device and the registration information in the associate registry to determine whether the status of the wearer is that the wearer is registered.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for executing on-line purchases. The apparatus includes three different servers, a ticket server, a doorman server, and a checkout server. The purchase tasks are spread among the servers, and timed, so that the on-line purchase can be handled without server overload and customers losing their place in line. The ticket server issues a purchase ticket to a customer. The purchase ticket includes a predetermined time after which the customer can present the ticket to purchase the purchase item. On or after the predetermined time, the customer presents the purchase ticket to the doorman server. The doorman server validates the ticket and checks that the predetermined time has passed. Once the doorman server approves the purchase ticket, the doorman server passes the purchase ticket to the checkout server with a purchase approval indicator. The checkout server then executes the on-line purchase of the purchase item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart shopping cart and a method of using a smart shopping cart. The smart shopping cart may hold a set of containers that the customer can place their items in as they are shopping. The customer will associate their mobile device with the physical cart as an electronic shopping cart.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to maintain an inventory of products within a product carrier. The product carrier utilizes a radio frequency (RF) blocking material and a RF reader disposed within an interior of the product carrier to identify products placed therein. The product carrier can further include an indicator on an exterior thereof to provide an indication regarding a status of the products within the product carrier.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for notification. A communication is established between a mobile application at a user mobile electronic device and a shopping cart. The status indicator on the shopping cart is activated having a first state indicating that the shopping cart is in use. After a checkout process is completed, the status indicator is changed to have a second state indicating the completion of the checkout process.

Abstract: Described is a layaway system for a retail store that includes a layaway processing utility, a detector, and a drone. The layaway processing utility electronically stores information about the layaway account and communicates with customers. The detector detects when a customer has entered the retail store and communicates with the layaway processing utility. The drone is loaded with layaway merchandise of the customer and automatically finds and delivers the layaway merchandise to the customer in the retail store. The customer can interact with the layaway processing utility using a mobile computing device to schedule the layaway pickup, and/or to make a payment on their layaway account. The layaway system reduces the wait time for customers wish to pick up their layaway items, provides easy ways for the customer to schedule their layaway pickup, and minimizes the employee time needed to find and deliver the layaway merchandise.

Abstract: A system for directing a shopper to an item of interest in a store comprises a floor surface at a store configured with indicators that communicate with each other to identify a path for guiding a store visitor from a current location to a location of an item of interest; a mobile device application executed by a mobile electronic device, the mobile device application generating a request for locating the item of interest; and a special-purpose processor that calculates the path from the current location of the store visitor to the location of the item of interest in response to the request received from the mobile device application. The indicators identify the path in response to the special-purpose processor calculating the path.

Abstract: A recipe management system is disclosed where participants can submit healthy recipes and their serving costs. If accepted, the recipes will then be posted via web, application, social media, and in-store advertising. The participants can include customers, vendors, etc. At checkout, the point of sale will make a web service call to compare ingredients being purchased with the active recipe offers. If all required ingredients are found, an appropriate discount will be applied. If most ingredients are in the cart, the customer will be notified via text, email, POS prompt, of other recipes close to completion, missing ingredients to receive the discount. The system includes an analytics system which monitors the ingredients and recipes sold, receives feedback from customers and social media to adjust the parameters of the system to improve its functioning, discounts and recipes provided.

Abstract: A system is described to reduce the number of customers waiting in line at a customer service desk of a club membership store. When a customer walks into the store, an App is activated by scanning a visual pattern, such as a QR code, responding to prompts sent via Wi-Fi, or using near field communication (NFC). The App connects the customer's mobile device to a remote computing device. The App reduces the information the customer has to type by scanning for a contact card prestored on the customer's mobile computing device. Using the contact card information, the remote computing device can check the customer's membership status. If the customer is not a member it can push membership promotions to the mobile computing device. The membership fee will be added to the charges for items purchased to result in a single checkout.

Abstract: A shopping cart comprises a shopping cart body and a handle coupled to the shopping cart body. The handle includes a haptic feedback device for providing haptic feedback when the shopping cart body is in motion and a speaker that provides audio feedback when the shopping cart body is in motion along a navigation path at which an item of interest is positioned. The shopping cart further comprises an object detection device for detecting objects along the navigation path in communication with the haptic feedback device and/or the speaker for providing feedback or audio feedback, respectively. A navigation device identifies the navigation path to the item of interest. A special purpose processor processes a shopping list application that includes the item of interest, and communicates with the navigation device to determine the navigation path at which the item of interest is positioned.

Abstract: A system and method for returning goods to a retail establishment where the goods were acquired comprises initiating a request to return goods purchased from the retail establishment; positioning the returned goods on a conveyor belt for transport to a location where the goods can be validated; validating the goods by a combination of a validation device proximal the conveyor belt and a return processing system; and generating a refund for the returned goods in response to a positive validation result.

Abstract: A kiosk comprises a display for displaying information related to a payment of a vehicle service; a special purpose processor that processes the payment of the vehicle service; and a dispenser for providing a key of the vehicle after the payment is processed.