Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring the quality of packages loaded onto delivery vehicles for delivery to customers. In some embodiments, there is provided a system including: a database receiving and storing package quality reports in which each report corresponds to the transport of packages by a delivery vehicle to a customer; at least one package quality report including: delivery route identification information, and package quality feedback information identifying package quality conditions of packages transported by the delivery vehicle from a group of package quality conditions; and a control circuit configured to: allow a first group of users to access the package quality reports received and stored in the database, and allow a second group of users to each transmit and store a new package quality report in the database but not to access the package quality reports previously received and stored.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide RFID tag reading systems comprising: multiple sets of RFID readers at a retail shopping facility; a tag evaluation control circuit communicatively coupled with the multiple sets of RFID readers and at least one memory, and configured to: receive RFID tag information from the RFID readers; obtain and apply a first set of rules and identify a transition area within the retail shopping facility based on the received RFID tag information; identify a first set of RFID readers configured to read RFID tags as they move through the identified transition area; obtain and apply a second set of rules and establish a first null area adjacent the transition area configured to enable RFID tags crossing through the first null area and prior to entering the transition area to be in a predefined state when entering the transition area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring RFID tags in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an RFID tag, a first RFID reader monitoring a first zone and configured to determine, based on a signal received from the RFID tag, that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, transmit, to a second RFID reader monitoring the second zone, a notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, and in response to receipt of a confirmation message from the second RFID reader, instruct the RFID tag to remain in its current state, and cease communication with the RFID tag, the second RFID reader configured to receive, from the first RFID reader, the notification, transmit, to the first RFID reader, the confirmation message, and transmit, to the RFID tag, a signal.

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 credibility weight for each of a plurality of users is stored and is associated with a reliability of the user in accurately indicating whether the products have become spoiled. Images of a plurality of products at a retail store are received and electronically arranged in an organized pattern. The organized pattern is rendered onto selected ones of a plurality of display devices. Electronic choices from selected ones of the plurality of the users are received. Each of the electronic choices indicates for a selected one of the plurality of products whether the selected user believes the selected product has spoiled or has become unusable. A spoilage score for each product of the products is determined. A control signal is transmitted to a receiver circuit at the retail store instructing a human or robot to perform an investigation when the spoilage score exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring condition compliance. In some embodiments, an RFID tag comprises a first chip and a second chip, an antenna, a switch, wherein the switch is configured to switchably connect the first chip and the second chip to the antenna based on occurrence of a condition, a memory device, and a control circuit configured to write, in response to a connection between the first chip and the antenna, a first marker and an indication of a first state to the memory device, write, in response to a connection between the second chip and the antenna, a second marker and an indication of a second state to the memory device, determine an amount of time in which compliance was not met, and transmit, to an RFID reader, an indication of the amount of time in which compliance was not met.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to provide customer sensitivity retail store environment control system, comprising: a plurality of lighting systems of the store; a plurality of audio systems of the store; a mapping database; a sensitive customer database maintaining information registered customers requesting a sensitivity roaming environment zone; and a customer sensitivity environment control circuit configured to: identify a first customer in the retail store is registered as an environment sensitive customer; track movement of the first customer through the retail store; an cause some of the lighting systems and the audio systems corresponding in location to the movement of the first customer to reduce from normal lighting outputs and audio outputs, respectively, maintaining in real-time a roaming environment zone surrounding the first customer as the first customer travels through the retail store.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide RFID tag reading systems comprising: multiple sets of RFID readers at a retail shopping facility; a tag evaluation control circuit communicatively coupled with the multiple sets of RFID readers and at least one memory, and configured to: receive RFID tag information from the RFID readers; obtain and apply a first set of rules and identify a transition area within the retail shopping facility based on the received RFID tag information; identify a first set of RFID readers configured to read RFID tags as they move through the identified transition area; obtain and apply a second set of rules and establish a first null area adjacent the transition area configured to enable RFID tags crossing through the first null area and prior to entering the transition area to be in a predefined state when entering the transition area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring condition compliance. In some embodiments, an RFID tag comprises a first chip and a second chip, an antenna, a switch, wherein the switch is configured to switchably connect the first chip and the second chip to the antenna based on occurrence of a condition, a memory device, and a control circuit configured to write, in response to a connection between the first chip and the antenna, a first marker and an indication of a first state to the memory device, write, in response to a connection between the second chip and the antenna, a second marker and an indication of a second state to the memory device, determine an amount of time in which compliance was not met, and transmit, to an RFID reader, an indication of the amount of time in which compliance was not met.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in a remote location. In some embodiments, a garment for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in a remote location comprises a garment body, an RFID reader attached to the garment body, the RFID reader configured to read the plurality of RFID tags in the remote location, an antenna attached to the garment body, and a control circuit attached to the garment and configured to receive, from the RFID reader, one or more identifiers, wherein the one or more identifiers are associated with the plurality of RFID tags, generate, based on the one or more identifiers, emulated identifiers, determine that the garment is within a designated area separate from the remote location, and in response to determining that the garment is within the designated area, cause the emulated identifiers to be transmitted.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to locating a virtual retail product. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for locating a virtual product at a store including a product interface configured to store product identifiers, receive initial locations at stores of virtual products, update the initial locations, and update the updated initial locations; one or more sensors configured to detect product identifiers; and a control circuit configured to receive the detected product identifiers, receive a product location query, determine a location of a user in the store, update the second updated initial locations, determine one or more locations corresponding to stored product identifiers, determine a first location of a first product; determine a second location of the retail product, determine whether the first location or the second location is closer to the user; and in response, provide the first location to the product interface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring condition compliance. In some embodiments, an RFID tag comprises a first chip and a second chip, an antenna, a switch, wherein the switch is configured to switchably connect the first chip and the second chip to the antenna based on occurrence of a condition, a memory device, and a control circuit configured to write, in response to a connection between the first chip and the antenna, a first marker and an indication of a first state to the memory device, write, in response to a connection between the second chip and the antenna, a second marker and an indication of a second state to the memory device, determine an amount of time in which compliance was not met, and transmit, to an RFID reader, an indication of the amount of time in which compliance was not met.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to adjustment of the display of a simulated online store on a user device based on computing usage at the user device. In some embodiments, the system includes: a shopping server for receiving a user request to view a simulated shopping environment; a user device resource module for determining the computing resource usage of the user device; and a control circuit for causing the display of simulated shopping images at the user device in an interactive simulation view, communicating with the user device resource module, determining a real time computing resource usage of the user device, and in certain circumstances, providing additional computing resources to display the simulated shopping environment at the user device at a first, higher consumption level or adjusting the display of the simulated shopping environment at the user device to a second, lower consumption level.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to detect shopping carts and/or estimate the number of shopping carts in a specified area of a retail facility. In some embodiments, detected magnetic fields from an area are compared with values from a database to estimate the number of shopping carts present, and notifications may be provided regarding actions to be taken based on the arrangement and density of shopping carts in the area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring condition compliance. In some embodiments, an RFID tag comprises a first chip and a second chip, an antenna, a switch, wherein the switch is configured to switchably connect the first chip and the second chip to the antenna based on occurrence of a condition, a memory device, and a control circuit configured to write, in response to a connection between the first chip and the antenna, a first marker and an indication of a first state to the memory device, write, in response to a connection between the second chip and the antenna, a second marker and an indication of a second state to the memory device, determine an amount of time in which compliance was not met, and transmit, to an RFID reader, an indication of the amount of time in which compliance was not met.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to provide customer sensitivity retail store environment control system, comprising: a plurality of lighting systems of the store; a plurality of audio systems of the store; a mapping database; a sensitive customer database maintaining information registered customers requesting a sensitivity roaming environment zone; and a customer sensitivity environment control circuit configured to: identify a first customer in the retail store is registered as an environment sensitive customer; track movement of the first customer through the retail store; an cause some of the lighting systems and the audio systems corresponding in location to the movement of the first customer to reduce from normal lighting outputs and audio outputs, respectively, maintaining in real-time a roaming environment zone surrounding the first customer as the first customer travels through the retail store.

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 monitoring RFID tags in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an RFID tag, a first RFID reader monitoring a first zone and configured to determine, based on a signal received from the RFID tag, that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, transmit, to a second RFID reader monitoring the second zone, a notification indicating that the RFID tag is moving toward the second zone, and in response to receipt of a confirmation message from the second RFID reader, instruct the RFID tag to remain in its current state, and cease communication with the RFID tag, the second RFID reader configured to receive, from the first RFID reader, the notification, transmit, to the first RFID reader, the confirmation message, and transmit, to the RFID tag, a signal.