Abstract: Disclosed is a meal making system that can be adapted to every commonly used POS machine, wherein each kind of meal making process is preset. Thus, it is easy to make meals quickly and correctly. The meal making system comprises a pre-processing system and a post-processing system. The post-processing system comprises processing devices and each processing device comprises at least one meal making machine, a scanner and a second positioning means. Each meal making machine has an operation interface. The pre-processing system is used to set the meal making process for each meal, wherein an identification code is generated for each set meal making process. The scanner reads the identification code and the operation interface of each meal making machine displays the steps of the meal making process corresponding to the identification code. After an operator operates each needed meal making machine, the meal making process is finished.

Abstract: An integrated changing room system is disclosed. The system includes sensors for sensing the presence and attributes of customers utilizing changing rooms within a retail store. The system integrates, presence, occupancy, movement, and merchandise data, facilitating the retailer's ability to enhance the customers' experience. The system includes one or more sensors integrated with one or more servers.

Abstract: A point-of-sale (POS) system is provided. The POS system may include an adjustable housing configured to receive a computing device. The POS system housing may be adjustable so that a screen of the computing device can be viewed by a merchant and a customer. The computing device may be removable from the housing for use as a mobile POS system. The POS system may also include electronics for accepting various forms of payment and for connecting the computing device to a network.

Abstract: A printer according to an embodiment includes a printing unit that prints on a sheet. The sheet is discharged through an outlet. The sheet is conveyed on a sheet conveyance path through the printing unit and to the outlet. A movable device is located on the sheet conveyance path upstream of the outlet in a sheet conveying direction. The movable device can move between a separation position, a proximity position, and a protruding position. A detection device detects a position of the movable device. A controller determines a conveyance abnormality of the sheet based on the state of the movable device detected by the detection device, and outputs a signal indicating the conveyance abnormality.

Abstract: An information processing device according to an embodiment includes a main processing device with a placement base and a power feeding unit. A peripheral device communicates with the main device and is shaped to be mounted on the placement base in a plurality of orientations. The peripheral device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from the power feeding unit when the peripheral device is mounted on the placement base in each of the plurality of orientations.

Abstract: A system includes a transaction-processing kiosk located in a predefined retail space. The kiosk is configured to enable a first human user to execute a current purchase transaction involving at least one of a set of retail items selected from the predefined retail space. The current purchase transaction is executed without participation by a second human, such as a cashier. The system further includes at least one display device having a screen and in signal communication with the kiosk. The at least one display device is configured such that the screen simultaneously displays a predetermined number of descriptions of retail items the subject of purchase transactions with the kiosk that were executed prior to execution of the current purchase transaction by a plurality of different human users. The at least one display device is positioned such that the screen is viewable by all parties present in the retail space.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of communicating payment data. The method includes receiving at a server, via a digital communication network, payment data transmitted from a first computing device that is connected to a peer-to-peer network and not in direct communication with the server. The payment data is received directly from a first peer computing device that is in communication with the peer-to-peer network and the server. The method also includes, at the server, analyzing, via one or more processors, the payment data to determine a payment response message. The method also includes transmitting from the server, via the digital communication network, the payment response message to a second peer computing device that is in communication with the server and in communication with the peer-to-peer network. The payment response message is communicated from the second peer computing device to the first computing device through the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention overcome the shortcomings of existing trading systems by providing an invoiceless trading system that creates incentives for customers to pay suppliers within a predetermined period of time, such as a settlement period. Specifically, the invoiceless trading system enables a customer to obtain a discount on orders placed with suppliers in return for an immediate payment (e.g., within 24 hours) by the customer. The supplier receives payment within the predetermined period of time, and the customer receives additional cash benefits by providing an early payment to the supplier. To communicate with and transfer funds between customers and suppliers, the invoiceless trading system may use an electronic gateway and a settlement bank. In addition to creating an incentive to embrace e-commerce, both customers and suppliers avoid the need to manually process orders and use invoices to complete transactions.

Abstract: A customer-device interface interacts with customer devices proximal to a retail shopping facility to thereby receive from the customer's device a first unique identifier. A control circuit operably couples to the customer-device interface. The control circuit accesses mobile analytics information regarding locations of customer devices and identifying information for the customer devices comprising a second unique identifier that is different from the first unique identifier. By then also accessing identifying information for customers of the retail shopping facility the control circuit uses the first identifier, the second unique identifier, and the identifying information for customers of the retail shopping facility to correlate the second unique identifier with a particular corresponding customer.

Abstract: A contactless payment device and method streams a sequence of magnetic-field pulses directly to two magnetic-stripe read heads of a point-of-sale terminal. The stream of pulses includes essential information needed to approve a transaction. The essential information is structured for a primary “channel” associated with one of the read heads. A series of “proxy” bits are included in the stream in order to satisfy the data collection requirements for a secondary channel associated with the other read head. The proxy bits are included in a custom bit stream that may be used to improve acceptance of payment transmission data at a POS terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for triggering an electronic payment between a first entity and a second entity. The system and method can also be for triggering an electronic payment for a first entity. It should be noted that the system and method can aid individuals to adopt desirable behavioural traits or give up undesirable habits.

Abstract: Expedited virtual currency transactions are provided by identifying a first user primary wallet associated with a virtual currency and including a first user primary wallet private key. First user secondary wallets are created that each include a respective first user secondary wallet private key, and a respective virtual currency transaction is performed using the first user primary wallet private key to transfer predefined amounts of the virtual currency from the first user primary wallet to each of the first user secondary wallets such that first user secondary wallets are provided with different predefined amounts of the virtual currency. Subsequently, an instruction is received to transfer a payment amount to a second user, and the second user is allocated a subset of the first user secondary wallet private keys included in respective first user secondary wallets that are associated with predefined amounts of the virtual currency that equal the payment amount.

Abstract: A system and method allows a merchant to transact credit card payments with any payment service provider that supports client-side encryption with neither merchant nor payment service provider storing personal card holder data. Payment service providers register encryption keys with the tokenization service provider and receive an identifier that is stored by the merchant. Customers provide payment details on the merchant website, which are sent to the tokenization service provider which stores card holder data and returns a token to be stored by the merchant. When a payment transaction is initiated, the merchant retrieves encrypted card holder data from the tokenization service provider and sends it to the selected payment service provider along with other transaction details. Merchants may reuse tokens with any payment service provider without having to transfer personal card information.

Abstract: A network translation computing device for processing consolidated messages is disclosed. The network translation computing device receives a web-based authentication response including a plurality of data elements in a web-based format. The network translation computing device translates the plurality of data elements from the web-based format to a network-based format. The network translation computing device generates a network-format authorization request message including the plurality of data elements in the network-based format. The network translation computing device transmits the network-format authorization request message to an issuer of the transaction card to initiate an authorization process of the transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for payment status verification of one or more selected products, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a unique transaction code by a checkout module, the unique transaction code being associated with one or more paid products; retrieving, from a database, a product identifier of each of the one or more paid products based on the received unique transaction code; receiving, by the checkout module, at least one product identifier of the one or more selected products; and verifying, using a verification module which is in communication with the checkout module, the payment status of the one or more selected products based on a comparison of the at least one received product identifier of the one or more selected products with the retrieved product identifier of the one or more paid products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing concurrent secure elements on a mobile device to coordinate with an application or “app” running on the mobile device and an appropriate communications protocol for conducting transactions using the mobile device include: informing, by the processor, the reader device of a preferred app and a communication protocol usable by the preferred app; receiving, by the processor, information about which apps and communication protocols are supported by a reader for processing a transaction; locating, by the processor, a secure element supporting an app and a communication protocol supported by the reader; channeling the communication protocol for the specific configuration of the app and the supporting secure element; activating the secure element that supports the app; and processing, with the activated secure element, using the supported app and communication channel, the transaction with the reader.

Abstract: A payment system receives a purchase request from a client device identifying products or services from a vendor. An authentication server stories payment information in association with various device identifiers. The payment system obtains a device identifier associated with the client device and transmits a request to the authentication server, which determines whether payment information associated with the device identifier is stored. If the authentication server stores payment information associated with the device identifier, the authentication sever transmits a confirmation to the payment system. The payment system sends a payment confirmation to a vendor system associated with the vendor in response to receiving the confirmation. Additionally, the payment system sends a purchase confirmation to the client device in response to receiving the confirmation.

Abstract: A circuit board that includes OLED display technology is provided. An OLED display may present light patterns recognizable by a hearing or visually impaired users. The light pattern may be customized by the user. A specific workflow may be associated with a specific light pattern. A light pattern may visually guide a user through a workflow. For example, different menu options may be color coded. High consequence changes may flash with a certain light sequence or pattern. Trusted devices may present a specific light pattern or matrix at “login” time to confirm that the user is accessing a trusted device.

Abstract: During the performance of an electronic payment transaction over a networked (web-based) e-commerce website an interface implementation that inserts into one or more web pages of the site providing an override within a payment process that allows a user to securely enter sensitive or confidential data necessary for the performance of the transaction and from which a transaction specific, single-use payment token is generated and then used in completing the payment transaction. The interface providing protection to the sensitive data and generated token from unwanted and unnecessary network access by a communicatively linked device and promoting a consumer experience that seamlessly integrates the date entry, protection and tokenization of sensitive data with the hosted webpages of the e-commerce website.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include systems and methods for identifying and verifying remote users. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) receiving, from a client device of a remote user: (a) an image of an identification document; and (b) login information for accessing a user account; (2) extracting identification credentials of the remote user from the image; (3) associating the user account with the extracted identification credentials; (4) receiving user information from a remote third-party server; (5) determining that the user information corresponds to the user account; (6) retrieving the extracted identification credentials of the remote user; and (7) transmitting the extracted identification credentials to the remote third-party server.

Abstract: A method for location scoring a transaction based on item redemption includes: receiving a redemption notification, the notification including an indication of redemption of an item; receiving a transaction message related to a payment transaction, the transaction message being formatted based standards and including a plurality of data elements including a first data element configured to store a geographic location, a second data element configured to store a transaction time, and one or more additional data elements configured to store additional transaction data; determining a location score for the payment transaction based on a correspondence between the geographic location and a location of the redeemed item and a correspondence between the transaction time and a time of the redeemed item; executing a query on the transaction message to insert the determined location score into a data element of the plurality of data elements; and electronically transmitting the transaction message.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a hierarchy of a plurality of distributors over a computer network is disclosed. In one aspect the system includes a server in communication with at least one third party marketing server and at least one distributor database; and a plurality of distributor devices communicating over the computer network with the server, the plurality of distributor devices each operating a distributor mobile application, the distributor mobile application configured to determine a business value for each of the plurality of distributors based on the business information provided by the at least one third party marketing server, wherein the business value is updated on the at least one distributor database via the server over the computer network. The system allows for investment in the plurality of distributors by investors.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure access to electronic records. The system authenticates a user associated with the electronic records, receives a request to access the electronic records, and provides access to the electronic records in response to authenticating the user. The system also receives user input data and updates the electronic records based on the user input data. The system further monitor a trigger condition associated with the user input data, and transmits a notification in response to detecting the trigger condition. The trigger condition may be, for example, an interaction with a device associated with a particular business entity.

Abstract: There has not been a service for integrally supporting a customer from a time of purchasing a product through a time of purchasing a next new product, wherein use state information on product users is collected and analyzed with respect to deterioration and abnormality conditions while using the product, product resale time and time of purchasing a new product. This invention provides a customer support system for integrally supporting a customer, aiming to maximize benefits of the customer at the time of using the product, mending/repairing and reselling/selling the product after having used the product, and purchasing a next new product.

Abstract: An electronic atomizer capable of detecting a counterfeit liquid container is illustrated. The electronic atomizer includes a liquid container, a power supply module and a storage box. The liquid container includes an identification code carrier and an atomizing component. The liquid container accommodates fluid to be atomized, and the power supply module provides power to the atomizing component for atomization of the fluid. The storage box has a receiving space and is provided with an identifying device configured to identify the identification code carrier of the liquid container which is placed in the receiving space. Also illustrated are an anti-counterfeit system and a method thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described. The method includes generating, for display on a computing device, an identification rendering viewable on a display of the device, the identification rendering including an authority indicator and a digital image of a person. The method further includes the device triggering an interactive effect associated with the identification rendering. The triggering occurs in response to the device receiving a trigger input and the trigger can be from any input or communications sensor of the computing device. The triggered interactive effect includes an authority indicator and a freshness indicator that enables an individual viewing the display to validate the identity of the person associated with the digital image. Validation can be based on at least one of a characteristic of the interactive effect and attributes of the person or the authority indicator.

Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.

Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.

Abstract: A management system includes: an information terminal that reads an information code attached to a management target, the information code storing code identification information that specifies the management target; and a server communicable with the information terminal. The information terminal includes: a reading portion that optically reads display information including the information code; a position information acquisition portion that acquires position information of the information terminal; a terminal-side transmission portion that transmits the position information as reading position information to the server; and a notification portion that notifies predetermined information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data authenticity identification method for safety check of a two-dimensional code, comprising the steps of: S1, adding a check code into a character random code, so as to form a byte stream random number, and converting same into a check random code through data encryption and data conversion; S2, combining the check random code and a URL into a background access address, and generating the background access address in a two-dimensional code; S3, obtaining the check random code and the URL by scanning the two-dimensional code, deciphering and restoring the check random code, so as to obtain the character random code and the check code, and generating a new check code according to the character random code; S4, comparing the check code obtained by decryption and restoration with the generated new check code.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for generating digital memorabilia including: providing a digital memorabilia signor with a digital photograph, a digital sports jersey, or a combination thereof; receiving at least one of an electronic signature or an electronic written message from the digital memorabilia signor to be embedded in the digital photograph, the digital sports jersey, or the combination thereof; embedding the at least one of an electronic signature or an electronic written message from the digital memorabilia signor into the digital photograph, the digital sports jersey, or a combination thereof to form the generated digital memorabilia; sending the generated digital memorabilia including the electronic signature and the electronic written message to a verification service to verify authenticity of the electronic signature and electronic written message in the generated digital memorabilia; and delivering the generated memorabilia to a digital receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of techniques for distributing and rendering media content are provided. In response to a request for a first media file, a combined media file is generated having first and second segments that together include data from the first media file and from a second media file. The combined media file is then provided to a player module operable to render only data from the first media file during a first operating mode, and operable to render data from both the first and second media files during a second operating mode. For example, the first media file may be a music file, and the second media file an advertisement. A consumer may play the music portion without special software or a license, but the advertisement will be rendered as well. Alternatively, the consumer may purchase a license and use special playback software to render the music without the advertisement.

Abstract: A card, or other device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device), may provide transaction, feature information, and/or any other type of information to a merchant terminal based upon check-in options that may be selected by the user on the card. A routing server may receive transaction information, feature information, merchant related information, cardholder information and/or any other type of information and provide the information to networked entities. The networked entities (e.g., websites, social networks, and search engines) may access the information to track the purchasing habits of one or more cardholders.

Abstract: Metrics for online ads are captured by parsing web pages to identify ad beacons containing information identifying whether the online ads are for a particular client. These metrics are used to determine key performance indicators for auditing and competitor analysis for an online ad campaign.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to administration of an electronic survey to collect perception ratings for an event. For example, an electronic survey system provides a perception survey question to a respondent client device for an event (e.g., a digital media event or a live user experience). As a user associated with the respondent client device experiences the event, the user indicates a perception rating over time for the event by interacting with a graphical input element corresponding to the perception survey question. The survey system collects perception data points indicating the perception rating of the user and associates information about the user with the perception data points. The survey system can generate response data for the perception survey question based on the perception data points. The survey system can also generate a perception data report using the user profile information.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension measurement system that allows for tracking of customer traffic at a retail environment, and for determining whether items were purchased by a customer during their visit to the retail environment is discussed. Using a passive sensor-based system, data may be gathered by visually analyzing a vehicle's suspension system upon entry to the retail environment and again upon exit from the retail environment. A comparison of the entry and exit images may be performed to determine the degree of engagement of the vehicle suspension system and thereby provide an indicator as to whether the customer in the vehicle has made a purchase.

Abstract: A hardware processor coupled to a transaction data database and a customer data database receives transaction data and customer data, and executes a predictive modeling algorithm that determines customer features that characterize purchasing behavior from the customer data and the transaction data. The hardware processor executes a clustering algorithm that segments customers into multiple groups based on the customer features. A likelihood function is constructed based on a selected demand model, the transaction data and customer segment information determined from the multiple groups, the likelihood function determined based on probability that each sales transaction belongs to a segment conditioned on a paid price. A model estimator computes parameters that maximize the likelihood function.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: predicting a market share based on consumer preference shift based on inputs of including sales data of respective branded products in a market, product feature data, and product event data. Feature cluster switch rates are first estimated and then brand switch rate within a subject feature cluster is estimated. Future market share of a branded product having the subject feature cluster is predicted and reported.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: evaluating a brand value as a function of numerous parameters as formulated by brand value dynamics, and by use of input data for accurate prediction of the brand value. A brand equity is estimated based on the brand value and brand values of all brands competing in the market.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: obtaining input data regarding to a market for a branded product subject to loss of exclusivity scheduled. A dynamic half-life of a market value for the branded product is estimated to predict a market share erosion rate of the branded product at a point of time after the loss of exclusivity.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: identifying a target customer population of a series product and dividing into segments by customer behaviors relevant to adoption of and compliance to a series of purchases of the series product. A marketing campaign strategy for each segment is devised and executed, and adoption rate and compliance rate is predicted by analytical modeling and later evaluated by actual sales data. Parameters used in predicting the adoption rate and the compliance rate are adjusted for accuracy.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to standardized custom surveys. For example, a system can include a generate engine to generate, based on a definition, a survey of an entity having a customized data model, a send engine to send the survey to an end-user during a workflow of a lifecycle of the entity responsive to a predetermined workflow event, a collect engine to collect, based on the definition, a response to the survey and a context, and a report engine to generate a report from a table containing standardized responses and standardized contexts collected from a plurality of surveys including the survey of the entity, wherein each of the plurality of surveys has a different customized data model.

Abstract: A reality augmenting computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product, includes detecting a consumer and at least one of a product and a location, determining a current sensory state of the consumer, calculating a desired sensory state to achieve a target mood based on a correlation between the target mood and a user model, and executing an action according to the desired sensory state by a wearable to change the current sensory state of the consumer to the target mood.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a market segment analysis (MSA) system that facilitates a cluster analysis of market segment data and performance metrics to identify data patterns between individual market segments within a designated market region. Particularly, the MSA system may quantify current performance of existing vendor product or service offerings within a market segment relative to historical performance of the vendor product or service offering within the market segment. Further, the MSA system may quantify current performance of a vendor product or service offering relative to current peer performance of the same or substantially similar vendor product or service offerings within additional market segments. The MSA system may recommend one or more additional market segments for an offering of the vendor product or service. Alternatively, or additionally, the MSA system may recommend one or more vendor product or service offering(s) for a target market segment of a designated market region.

Abstract: According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for estimating product demand at one or more target venues, comprising: receiving a plurality local parameters comprising a level of product demand, and a volume of liquid beverage dispensed by at least one liquid dispenser, illumination conditions, audible conditions, number of people in the target venue, and/or identity of staff working at the target venue, and receiving general parameters comprising time of day, date, and/or local weather conditions, substituting at least one parameter in a classifier algorithm, the classifier algorithm calculated to correlate a desired level of the demand for products with the at least one parameter, and the classifier algorithm outputting a recommendation to adapt the at least one parameter to increase the product demand.

Abstract: The current document is directed a resource-exchange system that facilitates resource exchange and sharing among computing facilities. The currently disclosed methods and systems employ efficient, distributed-search-based auction methods and subsystems within distributed computer systems that include large numbers of geographically distributed data centers to locate resource-provider computing facilities that match the resource needs of resource-consumer computing facilities. In one implementation, resource-provider computing facilities automatically generate hosting fees for hosting computational-resources-consuming entities on behalf of resource-consumer computing facilities that are included in bid-response messages returned by the resource-provider computing facilities in response to receiving bid-request messages. In another implementation, a cloud-exchange system automatically generates hosting fees on behalf of resource-provider computing facilities.

Abstract: A method for identifying an optimal ticket for purchase and using the optimal ticket to open a venue for a gate of a venue.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and modules for collateralization of reward or loyalty program liability. Some such embodiments provide mechanisms for identifying program liability that has a low likelihood of being redeemed, such as liability associated with participant accounts that have had no activity, and are therefore considered stale accounts, for a certain period, such as two or more years. Liability associated with such accounts may then be bundled into a pool and the entity operating the program may pay another entity to incur the liability for those accounts, typically for pennies on the dollar of financial value of the rewards involved.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to data processing, in particular with regard to a rule-based data processing engine. Such a rule-based data processing engine is employed in various embodiments to apply rules to customer data to generate offers of systems and programs, such as credit card and customer loyalty offerings, that achieve desired goals of an offering entity. One embodiment includes identifying at least one program for which an individual qualifies based upon data of the individual in view of respective program qualification criteria. This method further includes determining, for each identified program, at least one variable parameter of the respective program based on a respective parameter rule. This method then transmits, via a network, representations of each of the identified programs with respective determined parameters for presentation within a user interface.

Abstract: A consumer who is a member of a computer-implemented loyalty program and who is associated with a first currency, is permitted to redeem loyalty points in exchange for a payment in a second currency which is different from the first currency. The payment may be made in the form of pre-paid physical or virtual payment card, or by a credit to an account held by a mobile wallet server. The consumer is sent information about products which the consumer can purchase using the second currency.