Abstract: Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for determining feedback to a polling statement. One example method may comprise generating a barcode associated with a response to a polling statement. The example method may further comprise enabling display of the barcode for receiving feedback on the polling statement via scanning of the barcode. Another example method may comprise generating a barcode associated with a response to a polling statement. The other example method may further comprise receiving feedback on the polling statement based at least in part on at least one individual scanning the barcode. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Objective metrics measuring value of employees are provided. Enterprise metrics are gathered for when specific employees are present and an enterprise. Correlations between performance values of the enterprise based at least in part on the enterprise metrics are made.

Abstract: Various methods are described for tracking the location of a customer possessing a mobile device and facilitating location-relevant communication between the mobile device and an establishment device. One example method may comprise detecting the presence of the customer within a first distance of an establishment. The method may further comprise receiving establishment information from the establishment entity for displaying to the customer to entice a visit to the establishment. Additionally, the method may comprise detecting the presence of the customer within a second distance of a location point within the establishment. Another example method may further comprise determining location information relevant to the location point; and providing for display of the location information to the customer. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for credit card processing are provided. A credit card with a wireless interface wirelessly connects with a mobile device of a consumer that possesses the credit card. The mobile device is a relay between the credit card and a transaction processing device for a transaction to prove the credit card is present for the transaction and obtain Card Present rates for a retailer of the transaction.

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to computers located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the business's computers communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.

Abstract: Techniques for forecasting retail activity are provided. External events to a retailer are evaluated in view of attributes and associations of the retailer and in view of operational metrics associated with the retailer. Based on the evaluation, recommendations for forecasting resources are dynamically presented to the retailer.

Abstract: Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.

Abstract: An approach is provided for logically connecting customer endpoint devices to transaction services. The customer endpoint devices perform a customer purchase transaction and require access to transaction services to process payments and benefits that may be available for certain items. The customer endpoint devices use a transaction connection mediator to isolate communications with the transaction services.

Abstract: Techniques for recommending a retailer, retail products, or retail services are provided. Retail preferences and preferences for specific products and services of a specific retail type are aggregated for a consumer. These preferences are analyzed and clustered with other consumers so that retailer, retail product, and retail service recommendations can be automatically and dynamically made to the consumer.

Abstract: Techniques for drive-thru mobile ordering are provided. When a consumer's mobile device is detected within a drive-thru queue or within a configurable distance of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal for drive-thru ordering, an interactive ordering interface is presented on the mobile device of the consumer. The consumer places his/her order via that interface and may optionally make payment for the order. The interface interacts with a POS agent of an establishment where the consumer is making the order to take the order and ensure fulfillment of that order.

Abstract: A light control system including a lens may also include a first portion carried by the lens to filter a first polarized light, and a first central region within the first portion. The light control system may further include a second portion carried by the lens to filter a second polarized light, and a second central region within the second portion. The first portion may not substantially be in series with the second portion, and the first central region may not be substantially in series with the second central region.

Abstract: A light control system including a lens may also include a first portion carried by the lens to filter a first polarized light, and a first central region within the first portion. The light control system may further include a second portion carried by the lens to filter a second polarized light, and a second central region within the second portion. The first portion may not substantially be in series with the second portion, and the first central region may not be substantially in series with the second central region.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a housing and an aperture in the housing. The imaging system may further include sensors adjacent the aperture. The sensors may be responsive to an image signal received through the aperture. The imaging system may further include a controller in communication with storage and the sensors. The storage may include calibration data. In addition, the controller may transform the calibration data into a rectified image through use of the image signal.

Abstract: A method of ad hoc trust delegation in human-based workflow systems using one-time access key is provided herein. The method may include the following steps: generating a unique access key to a workflow system in response to a delegation of trust to one or more users; associating the unique access key with a specified portion of a workflow within the workflow system; embedding the unique access key in a message sent to the one or more users; and providing the one or more users with a one-time access to the workflow system, such that the access is limited to the specified portion of the workflow, in response to applying the unique access key to the workflow system.

Abstract: A pull-tab sealing member includes a bottom laminate sheet, a top laminate sheet, and a tube portion. The bottom laminate sheet includes a support layer having a bottom surface facing the container and a top surface on the opposite side thereof, a lower polymer layer disposed on the bottom surface of the support layer, and an adhesive coating formed on a bottom surface of the lower polymer layer for securing the bottom laminate sheet to the container. The top laminate sheet includes a polymer support having a bottom surface and a top surface and an adhesive layer disposed on the bottom surface of the polymer support layer. The tube portion includes a polymer tubed layer secured to a portion of the top surface of the support layer of the bottom laminate sheet and a tubed tab portion formed integrally with the polymer tubed layer and secured to a portion of the adhesive layer of the top laminate sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods allowing for a customer to initiate a fuel purchase transaction utilizing a mobile device are described. The customer may further be presented with advertisements on his mobile device and/or be provided with the opportunity to purchase additional items for inclusion on his fuel transaction. In some embodiments, the customer may pay for his transaction using mobile wallet information or other information associated with the mobile device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the customer may pay for his transaction using input means of the fuel pump.