Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retail point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless internet connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retail point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless internet connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retail point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless internet connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.