Abstract: A digital image analysis is performed on one or more images of a user interacting with an item in a retail store. Based on a result of the digital image analysis, a computer determines whether the user has effectively removed the item from availability for purchase by others. If so, the computer automatically initiates an electronic transaction debiting a financial account of the user for a cost of the item prior to the user checking out of the store. If not, the computer delays initiating the electronic transaction until the user checks out of the retail store.

Abstract: A method of assigning products to shoppers can be provided by determining that a plurality of shoppers are collaborating with one another to purchase a plurality of products included on a shared shopping list, receiving shopper characteristics for the plurality of shoppers, receiving respective parameters for the plurality of products included on the shared shopping list, assigning respective sub-lists of the plurality of products for picking by respective ones of the shoppers at a retail shopping location based on the shopper characteristics for the respective ones of the shoppers and the respective parameters for the plurality of products included on the shared shopping list, and providing the respective sub-lists of the plurality of products to the plurality of shoppers. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for curating search results. A first request to look up an identifier for an item is received from a first user, and first tracking information corresponding to movements of the first user in a physical space is retrieved. At least one item associated with the first user while moving in the physical space is identified from the first tracking information. A first identifier of the at least one item is determined, and the first identifier is provide to the first user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for monitoring transaction data. A first symbol is a symbol is assigned, at a first point in time, to a user device, where, when a user of the user device inputs an item, the user device outputs the symbol. The symbol is then detected, via one or more image capture devices, at one or more moments in time, and a number of times that the symbol was detected is determined. At a second point in time subsequent to the first point in time, a number of items associated with the user is determined. An audit of the uses is initiated based on determining that a difference between the number of times and the number of items exceeds a threshold maximum difference.

Abstract: A method of assigning products to shoppers can be provided by determining that a plurality of shoppers are collaborating with one another to purchase a plurality of products included on a shared shopping list, receiving shopper characteristics for the plurality of shoppers, receiving respective parameters for the plurality of products included on the shared shopping list, assigning respective sub-lists of the plurality of products for picking by respective ones of the shoppers at a retail shopping location based on the shopper characteristics for the respective ones of the shoppers and the respective parameters for the plurality of products included on the shared shopping list, and providing the respective sub-lists of the plurality of products to the plurality of shoppers. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying different types of produce at checkout based on an odor emitted by the produce is provided herein. An olfactometer is used to detect chemical compounds contributing to an odor of the produce at checkout. Based on the detected odor, an odor profile is constructed and compared to one or more baseline odor profiles stored in memory. Based on the comparison results, a freshness date for the produce is determined provided to a device associated with the shopper. So informed, the shopper is aware of how long the produce will be considered fresh. Additionally, one or more reminder messages may be sent to a device associated with the shopper reminding them of the freshness date for the produce they purchased.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for identifying items. The method includes scanning a first item using a first barcode scanner and a second barcode scanner and determining, based on signals from the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner, a first two-dimensional light grid indicating where the first item broke beams of the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner. The method also includes predicting, using a machine learning model and based on the first two-dimensional light grid, a first category for the first item, receiving, from a camera, an image of the first item, and comparing the image of the first item to a first set of images assigned to the first category to determine an identity of the first item.

Abstract: Techniques for auditing purchases are provided. An item for purchase is scanned to determine a first identity of the item. The scanned item is added to a transaction. A first image of the scanned item is captured using a first camera. A second identity of the scanned item from the first image is determined using a trained machine learning (ML) model. Responsive to determining the first and second identities of the item do not match, an audit of the transaction is performed.

Abstract: A network node associated with a retail store.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing video analysis related to a video of an electronic terminal. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by an electronic device that includes processing circuitry. The method may include causing a display to play a video that shows an electronic terminal, automatically detecting a captured event related to the electronic terminal in the video, capturing first time stamp information corresponding to a time point in the video that the captured event occurs in the video, and predicting a future event associated with the captured event related to the electronic terminal in the video. The method may also include capturing and outputting second time stamp information corresponding to a time point in the video that the predicted future event is detected to have occurred in the video.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first image of an item captured by a first camera when the item is purchased and linking the first image to a transaction component corresponding to the purchase of the item. The method also includes determining that the first image is linked to the transaction component and, in response to a request from a user device to display the item and in response to determining that the first image is linked to the transaction component, communicating the first image to the user device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for validating a promotional token redeemed at a Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal, can include receiving, at the Point of Sale (PoS) terminal located at a physical retail location, a promotional token ID from a mobile device associated with a customer. The promotional token ID can be configured to uniquely identify a promotional token to promote a consumer packaged good (CPG) distributed on a social media platform. A CPG is entered at the PoS terminal to determine a CPG ID configured to uniquely identify the CPG. Next, a validation request is generated. The validation request comprises the promotional token ID and the CPG ID. The validation request is then transferred to a server having access to a private blockchain ledger. Upon completion, the PoS terminal will receive, from the server, the redemption status for the promotional token ID based on information stored in the private blockchain ledger responsive to the validation request.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for curating search results. A first request to look up an identifier for an item is received from a first user, and first tracking information corresponding to movements of the first user in a physical space is retrieved. At least one item associated with the first user while moving in the physical space is identified from the first tracking information. A first identifier of the at least one item is determined, and the first identifier is provide to the first user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for monitoring transaction data. A first symbol is a symbol is assigned, at a first point in time, to a user device, where, when a user of the user device inputs an item, the user device outputs the symbol. The symbol is then detected, via one or more image capture devices, at one or more moments in time, and a number of times that the symbol was detected is determined. At a second point in time subsequent to the first point in time, a number of items associated with the user is determined. An audit of the uses is initiated based on determining that a difference between the number of times and the number of items exceeds a threshold maximum difference.

Abstract: A network node associated with a retail store.

Abstract: A computer is configured to obtain a digital image (e.g., a video) of a customer in a retail store setting, and analyze the digital image to determine whether the customer was assisted with a particular sales transaction by one or more sales associates. If so, the computer identifies which particular sales associates assisted the customer based on the analysis, and links those sales associates to the customer's sales transaction. Such linking provides a basis for training tools, as well as for the accurate apportionment of a sales commission.

Abstract: A computer is configured to obtain a digital image (e.g., a video) of a customer in a retail store setting, and analyze the digital image to determine whether the customer was assisted with a particular sales transaction by one or more sales associates. If so, the computer identifies which particular sales associates assisted the customer based on the analysis, and links those sales associates to the customer's sales transaction. Such linking provides a basis for training tools, as well as for the accurate apportionment of a sales commission.

Abstract: A behavioral model defining a current behavior of a consumer in a retail store is generated by a computer based on digital images of the consumer captured in the retail store. The computer then analyzes the generated behavioral model relative to one or more baseline behavioral models, which consider the consumer's specific location within the store, and, based on the results of that analysis, predicts whether the consumer requires assistance. Additionally, the computer implements a learning process that allows it to determine whether the prediction was incorrect, and if so, to update the associated baseline behavioral models.

Abstract: Information regarding each recipient of a selected group of users is retrieved, such as each recipient of a number of recipients of an email, and such as responsive to a request made in relation to the email. One or more relationships among the users are determined, based on the information retrieved regarding each user. Such relationships can include job groups, job titles, locations, and/or family relationships, among other types of relationships. The one or more relationships among the users are displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to leveraging disk controller cache memory to simulate non-volatile random access memory. At least one logical block address in cache memory of the disk controller is designated and set aside as permanently dirty. Read operations may be supported with data in the cache memory; including data retained in any block address designated as permanently dirty. Write operations may also be supported by storing the write data in the logical block address designated as permanently dirty.