Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for delivering customer specified receipt types at checkout. A customer specifies receipt delivery preferences at a mobile device (e.g., specifying delivery of a digital receipt and/or a paper receipt at checkout). The mobile device sends the customer's receipt delivery preferences to a receipt preferences database server for storage in a receipt preferences database. During a sales transaction, a point-of-sale (“POS”) system refers to the receipt preferences database (or a relevant portion thereof) to access the customer's receipt delivery preferences. Based on the customer's receipt delivery preferences, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system delivers appropriate types of receipts (e.g. digital and/or paper) to the customer.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for delivering customer specified receipt types at checkout. A customer specifies receipt delivery preferences at a mobile device (e.g., specifying delivery of a digital receipt and/or a paper receipt at checkout). The mobile device sends the customer's receipt delivery preferences to a receipt preferences database server for storage in a receipt preferences database. During a sales transaction, a point-of-sale (“POS”) system refers to the receipt preferences database (or a relevant portion thereof) to access the customer's receipt delivery preferences. Based on the customer's receipt delivery preferences, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system delivers appropriate types of receipts (e.g. digital and/or paper) to the customer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for authenticating and enabling returns at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. The electronic receipts software may use machine readable codes to verify whether a customer is present at a returns terminal at a physical store location. More particularly, the electronic receipts software may contain a bar code reader module and use the camera of the mobile electronic device to capture a machine readable code such as a bar code or QR code. The electronics receipts software may recover data from the machine readable code which identifies the store, retail location, etc. This information may be compared against known values to determine that the customer is present at a returns terminal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for authenticating and enabling returns at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. The electronic receipts software may use sound recordings to verify whether a customer is present at a returns terminal at a physical store location. The electronic receipts software may recode particular sounds or ambient noise at a returns POS terminal and analyze and compare this sound recording against known sounds to determine whether a customer is present at a returns POS terminal. The electronic returns software may prevent the customer from accessing returns features if the customer is not at a returns terminal and allow the customer to access returns features if the customer is at a returns terminal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring receipt data to a computing device corresponding to a customer. The method may include initiating a transaction at a point-of-sale system. During the transaction, a computer system comprising the point-of-sale system, may collect receipt data documenting the transaction. The computer system may generate a barcode unique to the transaction and comprising encoded data. Once the transaction has been completed, the computer system may present the barcode to the customer. This may be done via a printed receipt, a customer-facing display, or the like. Using the encoded data, the computer system may deliver the receipt data to a computing device in the possession of the customer. For example, the encoded data may comprise the receipt data. Alternatively, the encoded data may comprise a URL directing the computing device to a resource system from which the receipt data may be downloaded.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring receipt data to a computing device corresponding to a customer. The method may include initiating a transaction at a point-of-sale system. During the transaction, a computer system comprising the point-of-sale system, may identify a computing device corresponding to a customer associated with the transaction. Once the transaction has been completed, the computer system may direct a push notification to the computing device. In response to the push notification, the computer system may receive a request for receipt data documenting the transaction. Accordingly, the computer system may provide the receipt data to the computing device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring receipt data to a computing device corresponding to a customer. The method may include initiating a transaction at a point-of-sale system. During the transaction, a computer system comprising the point-of-sale system, may identify a computing device corresponding to a customer associated with the transaction. The computer system may collect receipt data documenting at least a portion of the transaction. This receipt data may be incorporated into a push notification. Once the transaction has been completed, the computer system may direct the push notification to the computing device. Accordingly, the computer system may provide the receipt data to the computing device.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on a receipt is disclosed. The method may begin with the initiation of a transaction such as a purchase or return at a point-of-sale system. Next, an image unique to the transaction may be obtained or generate. The image may comprise non-textual graphics. While the transaction is being performed, the image may be passed to a receipt printer and stored with memory thereof. Accordingly, the images may be stored in memory of the receipt printer before the other tasks associated with the transaction have all been performed. Finally, to complete and document the transaction, the receipt printer may print a receipt. The receipt may have the image printed thereon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for authenticating and enabling returns at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. The electronic receipts software may use sound recordings to verify whether a customer is present at a returns terminal at a physical store location. The electronic receipts software may recode particular sounds or ambient noise at a returns POS terminal and analyze and compare this sound recording against known sounds to determine whether a customer is present at a returns POS terminal. The electronic returns software may prevent the customer from accessing returns features if the customer is not at a returns terminal and allow the customer to access returns features if the customer is at a returns terminal.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for auditing in-store sales transactions when a digital receipt is issued. A receipt application server formulates a digital receipt from digital receipt data received from a POS system. The digital receipt is sent from the receipt application server to an auditor mobile device at the location of the POS system. A human auditor can view the digital receipt during an in-store audit. In some embodiments, one or both of the receipt application server and the auditor mobile device reorder receipt entries so that items having specified characteristics are presented more prominently on a display. For example, receipt entries can be re-ordered such that higher profit margin items, bulkier items, or more likely to be stolen items are presented more prominently. As such, a human auditor is more likely to expressly audit these types of items.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting an advertisement. The method may begin with identifying a computer system comprising a point-of-sale system and an expert system. The computer system may store first data corresponding to a customer. After this storing, the point-of-sale system may be used to conduct a point-of-sale transaction involving the customer and one or more items. The computer system may generate a plurality of advertisements, each comprising a machine-readable code encoded with a transaction identification unique to the transaction. During the transaction, a link between the customer and the first data may be established. Accordingly, the first data may be passed to the expert system. The expert system may use the first data to identify or predict which advertisement of the plurality of advertisements is most likely to elicit a desired response from the customer. The point-of-sale system may then present that advertisement to the customer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting an advertisement. The method may begin with identifying a computer system comprising a point-of-sale system and an expert system. The point-of-sale system may be used to conduct a point-of-sale transaction involving a customer and one or more items. The computer system may generate a plurality of advertisements, each comprising a machine-readable code encoded with a transaction identification unique to the transaction. During the transaction, data corresponding to the one or more items (e.g., an identification of the items) may be passed to the expert system. The expert system may use the data to identify or predict which advertisement of the plurality of advertisements is most likely to elicit a desired response from the customer. The point-of-sale system may then present that advertisement to the customer.

Abstract: A method for comparison of product information based on product codes to determine the cost per unit weight per product and hereby determine the cheapest product per unit weight is disclosed herein. The method further comprises of displaying the location information of the cheapest product within the retail store and providing navigational information for enabling the consumer to access the product easily.

Abstract: A method for comparison of product information based on product codes to determine the cost per unit volume per product and hereby determine the cheapest product per unit volume is disclosed herein. Embodiments herein enable the consumer to easily access the cost per unit volume of products, without putting an additional burden on the retailer or any other component in the product supply chain.

Abstract: An approach is provided for requesting assistance from a store attendant. One method includes receiving a request from a customer via mobile phone. The request may be received via scanning of the barcode located nearby to the customer. After scanning of the barcode, a notification is sent to the store attendants comprising aisle location to the store attendants. Subsequently, estimated time for assistance is received from the store attendants by the system. Thereafter, based on the received estimated time from the store attendants, a store attendant is selected from the store attendants. Finally, the system sends the estimated time for assistance to the mobile phone of the customer and the most appropriate store attendant is sent to the customer's location.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for auditing in-store sales transactions when a digital receipt is issued. A receipt application server formulates a digital receipt from digital receipt data received from a POS system. The digital receipt is sent from the receipt application server to an auditor mobile device at the location of the POS system. A human auditor can view the digital receipt during an in-store audit. In some embodiments, one or both of the receipt application server and the auditor mobile device reorder receipt entries so that items having specified characteristics are presented more prominently on a display. For example, receipt entries can be re-ordered such that higher profit margin items, bulkier items, or more likely to be stolen items are presented more prominently. As such, a human auditor is more likely to expressly audit these types of items.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing the effectiveness of one or more advertisements. The method may include conducting a plurality of point-of-sale transactions. In conjunction with these transactions, an advertisement may be presented a first number of times. Each time the advertisement is presented, it may contain a machine-readable code encoded with an identification unique to the advertisement. A computer system may receive first data identifying the number of times the advertisement is presented. The computer system may further receive second data identifying the number of times a machine-readable code encoded with the identification is scanned by a customer. Accordingly, the computer system may calculate and display a success rate for the advertisement.