Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide for an automated inspection system. The system includes an inspection component implemented on at least one computing device with at least one sensor configured to capture data about a good; and a communication component communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive information regarding regulations and quality control standards associated with the good, and transmit the information regarding the acceptability of a good to an inventory system.

Abstract: A priority is dynamically assigned to each of the inventory-related values. A confidence score is determined based upon an evaluation of all of the prioritized inventory-related values. Based upon the confidence score, one or more PI programs for the retail store is authorized for utilization. The number of inventory-related values used and the priorities for these values are dynamically changeable.

Abstract: A system and method for populating a store product information repository with information-rich content comprises capturing, by a sensor device, image data from a product of interest; executing an image recognition process to extract information-rich content from the captured image data in the form of text or graphics; outputting the extracted relevant content to a generic product description attribute; mapping the generic product description attribute to a product record; and storing the product record including the information-rich content for populating a product information repository.

Abstract: An automated self-service store is disclosed including a shopper accessible level having inventory for selection by a shopper, and an item storage and replenishment area for storing inventory. The self-service store further includes mobile robots for replenishing inventory at the shopper accessible level from the item storage and replenishment area.

Abstract: A beacon device includes a beacon code generator that generates beacon data that uniquely indicates a subscriber. A beacon generator generates a wireless homing beacon that indicates the beacon data. The wireless homing beacon is detectable by the at least one drone delivery device to facilitate a service delivery by the drone delivery device at the location of the beacon device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for managing transport of a commodity from a point of origin to a destination are disclosed. The system receives rating information from one or more logistics service providers and parameters associated with a requested transport of the commodity from a shipper. A quote for the transport of the commodity is dynamically generated based on the rating information and the one or more parameters included in the request, and transmitted to the shipper. The system then receives an authorization to transport the commodity in accordance with the quote from the shipper, and generates one or more smart contracts for the transport of the commodity in response to receiving the authorization. The system monitors the transport of the commodity, and determines whether terms of a smart contract have been satisfied. When a term has been satisfied, operations corresponding to the satisfied terms are performed automatically.

Abstract: Autonomous cellular transceivers for data logging, tracking and managing shipments, the devices having auto-provisioning capability. To auto-provision itself, the cellular device must be associated in a digital record with a particular shipment or object based on physical attachment or proximity—without manual assistance. Subsequent logging, tracking and managing records in a database or databases accessible to one or more users must be updated to reflect that assignment. Auto-provisioning is achieved by associating a cellular identification number of the autonomous cellular device with a shipment or object having a unique shipping identification number or an inventory identification number. Once the identifiers are coupled, the system creates a “shipment profile” of relevant data collected by a sensor or sensors on the cellular device while en route. The system will monitor, log, and report timepoint, waypoint, condition of the goods (as evidenced or extrapolated from sensor data) while in transit.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for enabling an efficient logistics network based on mobile device location data. The technology does not necessarily need the street house numbers as delivery or pickup addresses, which are not available in some areas of the world. The location data (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the customers' mobile devices are used to suggest the logistics delivery and pickup locations. Drivers of the logistics network are equipped with logistics driver devices connected to a logistics data server for retrieving the location data. Guided by the location data, the drivers reach the target locations for the delivery or pickup tasks.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for minimizing the environmental impact of a physical shipment of items, by enabling a consumer to specify how items in the shipment are selected and/or packed. The consumer may direct that items are packed in a manner which minimizes packaging material waste, and/or which satisfies any of numerous other objectives for the shipment.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses one or more NFC tags embedded in, affixed to, or printed into a delivery label that may be used to track mail. After an NFC shipping tag has been scanned, delivery information relating to shipping a piece of mail may be received and stored in a database, where that shipping information may be associated with the scanned NFC tag. When a shipping label includes two parts, a first part may be a receipt that can be detached and retained by a sender of a piece of mail, and a second part may stays attached to that piece of mail as it is delivered to a destination. A sender preparing to send mail may provide information that allows electronic devices to receive messages as a NFC shipping label is scanned by different NFC scanners at different locations as that mail moves toward a destination.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to method and system for tracking and managing regulatory certificates of aircraft components. In one embodiment, a method is provided for tracking and managing regulatory certificates of an aircraft component during a lifecycle of the aircraft component. The method includes registering various entities involved in various stages of the lifecycle of the aircraft component, creating multiple records for at least a set of entities corresponding to a regulatory certificate, and updating a record from among the multiple records upon a transaction with a subsequent entity from among the various entities involved in a subsequent stage from among the various stages. Each of the records comprises a number of regulatory parameters. Further, the regulatory certificate is obtained from a regulatory body upon request by an entity from among the various entities involved in a stage from among the various stages.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for gathering data concerning harvests. Data tickets are generated at a point of origination (i.e., the field), local storage, processing, or a customer location. Data tickets may also be generated for supplies delivered to the field. Implements attached to a vehicle in the field (e.g., a tractor) may provide data over a vehicle communication bus about how a field processing task was performed. Data may be extracted from the bus to use in preparing a field processing ticket, possibly in combination with manual entry from field personnel. A harvest data tracking system, based on data tickets, may be used to track the complete life cycle of crop production.

Abstract: A method for managing a network connected appliance, the method including, in one or more electronic processing devices: (a) determining status information associated with the appliance; (b) determining a goods/service requirement for the appliance in accordance with the status information; and, (c) causing the required goods/service to be purchased from a merchant via a payment system.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to doorstep delivery of services and products, and more particularly to a system and a method for dynamic fleet management for order delivery are provided. Initially, a primary route is assigned to a vehicle from a fleet of vehicles, based on at least one of a known order and a forecasted order. Further, when the vehicle is in transit along the primary route, in response to an input with respect to at least one of a route alteration parameter, one of an alternate route or a corrective action, is determined, and one or more corresponding actions are triggered, which helps with the order delivery.

Abstract: System, method, and computer-readable storage media which facilitate associate delivery of products while en route from work. More specifically, the system is receiving an online order for a product, forwarding the product from a fulfillment center to a retail store, then inviting the retail store employees/associates to deliver the product on their commute home. In this manner the business can pay store associates who wish to receive additional income while minimizing delivery costs.

Abstract: Embodiments facilitate delivery and presentation of a dynamic email. A sender may compose the dynamic email with static content and dynamic content placeholders. In some embodiments, the sender may send the dynamic email to a receiver. When presenting the dynamic email, the receiver may request a content generator to generate the dynamic content in the dynamic email. In some embodiments, the sender may send the dynamic email to the content generator first to have it generate the dynamic content and populate the dynamic email first. In some embodiments, the receiver may generate an update request when the dynamic email is presented subsequently after it is initially received and presented. The update request can allow the dynamic content to be updated for presentation.

Abstract: A method for updating an electronic mail (“email”) message presented to a user on a display screen of a data processing system, the email message belonging to a thread of email messages received by the data processing system, the method comprising: determining whether one or more of the email messages in the thread was received after the email message is opened on the display screen; and, if so, displaying an update message on the display screen indicating that one or more of the email messages in the thread was so received.

Abstract: A master calendar displaying booking dates from one or more vacation rental properties created by importing each property's data through web URLs.

Abstract: An electronic mail (e-mail) display is generated for a user, showing a mailbox for the user. A next calendar item indication is persistently displayed on the e-mail display. The next calendar item includes a countdown timer showing a time until the next calendar item is scheduled to begin.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a calendar view of a schedule that includes a time zone adjusted travel event and calendar items. When a user creates a travel event on a calendar, an adjusted duration for the travel event is computed, and the travel event is then scheduled according to the adjusted duration. The travel event takes place over a first time zone of a starting location that a user departs from at a departure time, and a second (different) time zone of an ending location that the user arrives at an arrival time. The adjusted duration for the travel event that is time-adjusted, based on time zones that the travel event takes place over, to account for any transitions between the time zones that occur during the travel event. Other calendar items that occur on the travel date and are to be displayed in a main user interface of a calendar application can also be detected.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to providing scheduling of meetings. In some implementations, a method includes receiving meeting requests for a plurality of meetings. The method further includes determining efficiency scores for the plurality of meetings. The method further includes scheduling the plurality of meetings based on the efficiency scores.

Abstract: Attention-based scheduling is provided. Most people's energy levels and cognitive functioning fluctuate throughout the day. Typically, the time of day when a person feels more energetic or has a higher attention span is the time in the person's day when the individual has the highest productivity potential. While at off-peak times, a person may have less attention, which can make it harder for the individual to be effective. An attention-based schedule system identifies a user's high and off-peak times based on one or more attention-based factors. When a meeting or appointment is scheduled and an attention-based scheduling conflict is determined, the user or another scheduler of the calendar item is notified, and in some examples, alternate time suggestions are provided. In some examples, off-peak times are blocked off from the user's calendar.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring context with delegation are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes detecting an anticipated unavailability of a first individual for a given future event, based on inputs generated by the first individual and databases of stored calendar information pertaining to the first individual and the given future event; identifying tasks, related to the given future event, requiring a delegation as a result of the anticipated unavailability of the first individual, wherein identifying is based on data related to the given future event; determining additional individuals to whom the tasks can be delegated, based on qualifications of the additional individuals and one or more constraints; generating a summary of the delegation comprising a description of the tasks and information pertaining to the given future event; and outputting the summary to at least one of the additional individuals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for task identification and tracking using shared conversational context. In one implementation, a first communication from a first user is received within a communication session. The first communication is processed to identify a first content element within the first communication. A second communication is received within the communication session. The second communication is processed to identify a second content element within the second communication. The first content element is associated with the second content element. Based on an association between the first content element and the second content element, a task is identified. An action is initiated with respect to the task.

Abstract: A system and method for media destruction utilizing a kiosk. The system and method comprises a kiosk that allows a user to submit a plurality of media items to the kiosk for verification and destruction and then the destruction of the item is reported to the appropriate entity. The accounting subsystem generates reports and tracks the royalty reimbursement received from entities based on the media destroyed. The destroyed media is then recycled.

Abstract: A sharded, permissioned, distributed ledger may reduce the amount of work and communication required by each participant, thus possibly avoiding scalability bottlenecks that may be inherent in previous distributed ledger implementations and possibly enabling the use of additional resources to translate to increased throughput. A sharded, permissioned, distributed ledger may be made up of multiple shards, each of which may also be a distributed ledger and which may operate in parallel. Participation within a sharded, permissioned, distributed ledger may be allowed only with permission of an authority. A sharded, permissioned, distributed ledger may include a plurality of nodes, each including a dispatcher configured to receive transaction requests from clients and to forward received requests to verifiers configured to append transactions to individual ones of the shards.

Abstract: A secure electronic system for storing and managing receipt and releasing of electronic documents, such as cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, tokens, and smart contracts, includes a platform server, a secure computer, and a non-IP protocol for communication between the secure computer and the platform server. The secure computer includes a plurality of cold memory modules and at least one hot memory module. The secure computer powers up and makes hot one or more of the plurality of the cold memory modules upon detecting and empty condition or a full condition. The secure computer includes a rate limiter that restricts releasing of hot electronic documents, such as cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, tokens, and smart contracts, stored in the at least one hot memory module. The non-IP protocol is known only to authorized administrators or operators of the secure electronic system. The secure computer provides access to the platform server only through the non-IP protocol.

Abstract: The method for setting up a recurring payment comprises, at a cardholder's mobile device, receiving from a merchant server a first message comprising an offer requiring a recurring payment. Upon reception of a cardholder's input accepting the offer, an application server in communication with a database storing payment credentials for payment cards from an issuer bank associated with the cardholder is requested to generate a virtual card number, VCN, associated with one of the payment cards and to transmit to the issuer bank VCN data associated with the VCN and indicating the acceptance of the offer. The VCN data are sent to the merchant server with a second message indicating the cardholder's acceptance of the offer. The second message is configured to enable the merchant server, upon reception of the second message, to send the VCN data to the issuer bank for validation of the recurring payment.

Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system may receive items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values may be determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.

Abstract: There is provided, for a customer, a convenient way of remotely determining whether an ATM is available for a desired withdrawal before physically travelling to the location of the ATM. This convenience is enabled by a polling mechanism to determine parameters of various ATMs. This capability can therefore avoid the potential inconvenience of a customer wasting time and effort going to an ATM only to discover that the ATM is inoperative or is not loaded with sufficient cash or not having desired denominations of currency.

Abstract: The aim of the present application is to enable a person to pay with a payment card without having physical access to the payment card. The present application also aims to allow other users than the owner of the payment card to pay with the payment card. To reach these aims, the present application proposes that at a first point in time, a physical item, held by a first user, is registered with a central server together with a corresponding piece of electronically stored item identifying information. At a second point in time, a physical device of a first point of sale reads payment card information from a physical payment card, and receive a response from the first user to store the payment card information. The payment card information is associated with the already registered item in the central server. At a third, later point in time a second user provides said item identifying information to authenticate at a second point of sale, and make an electronic payment using the payment card information.

Abstract: An card and method are provided whereby the apparatus is preloaded with music, videos, and movies and auto executive bowl files that will connect to a particular website once the USB connector of the card is connected to a computing device having an Internet connection.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method for performing a settlement transaction in an electronic apparatus, according to various embodiments of the present invention, can transmit, to a settlement apparatus, settlement data, which is generated by using authentication information, in response to a settlement request inputted through the electronic apparatus; check whether a settlement response message including result information of a settlement performance using the settlement data is received; and manage stored authentication information according to whether the settlement response message is received within a predetermined time period. Also, other various embodiments are possible.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a connected sales associate service application via a mobile device. The application provides for an integrated platform upon which various tools for providing support to a sales associate are built. The application includes a database of information regarding the operation of a retail establishment, and a database of reference materials. The application provides a user interface for allowing several sales associate to access a central server for the retail establishment on multiple mobile devices. The user interface displays information regarding sales and inventory information and reference materials for products, such as user's manuals, which enable the sales associate to answer questions posed by customers. A sales associate can thus search for and find all store products which meet a customer's specifications.

Abstract: In a method for advanced identification of a customer, a customer may remotely place an order, intending to later go to a store to pick up the ordered item. The store may have a pick-up area (e.g., at the back of the store) where the customer can go to pick up the ordered item. To save the customer time, the customer may be identified when she enters the store so that an employee can obtain her ordered item and have it ready to pick up by the time the customer walks through the store and arrives at the pick-up area. To identify the customer, an initiation device may transmit a first signal that causes the customer's mobile electronic device to respond by transmitting a second signal, which may be utilized to generate a notification in the pick-up area notifying an employee to obtain the ordered item for pick-up.

Abstract: A commodity sales data processing apparatus, including a portable information terminal having a battery and a display on which an executable job name is displayed and a docking station on which the information terminal is mounted to charge the battery, monitors whether or not the information terminal is mounted on the docking station to detect the separation therebetween. The processing apparatus restricts jobs permitted at the time the information terminal is separated from the docking station to a part of jobs permitted at the time the information terminal is mounted on the docking station if the separation between the information terminal and the docking station is detected and the display of the information terminal displays job names permitted at the time the information terminal is separated from the docking station if the separation between the information terminal and the docking station is detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, devices, methods, and software for automated session closing upon location-sensed departure. Some such embodiments may be implemented at retail outlets (e.g., restaurants, salons, stores, etc.) to automatically charge a customer account for ordered items upon an automated detection of a customer retail outlet departure. One embodiment, in the form of a method performed on a server-based system, includes receiving, via a network from a mobile device associated with a customer account, first data indicating the mobile device has departed a retail outlet. The method then generates, from stored retail session data, a final bill including an amount payable and then charges an amount payable from the final bill to a payment account associated with the customer account.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ability to associate an RFID tag with a user. Some embodiments associate am RFID tag to an item by storing information associated with the item on the RFID tag and/or attaching the RFID tag to the item. When an RFID reader extracts data from the RFID tag, the RFID reader, or a device communicatively coupled to the RFID reader, requests validation information from a backend server. Upon receiving the validation information, the device or RFID reader restricts access to the RFID tag by locking access to stored data based on the validation information. The device or RFID reader then associates the RFID tag with a user by forwarding the validation information to the user. Some embodiments use the validation information to create trusted access to the RFID tag with a particular RFID reader and/or device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing payment transactions using combination payment cards. The combination payment card is associated with an open-loop account and one or more closed-loop accounts. Transaction information is received from a point-of-sale device. At least one of the closed-loop and open-loop account is debited.

Abstract: A financial transaction may include utilizing a POS system to generate a unique one-time digital code that identifies the financial transaction, forwarding the unique digital code and a store identifying code that identifies the specific POS system, generating transaction data, transmitting the transaction data, the unique digital code, the store identifying code, and account information associated with the POS system from the POS system to a payment system via a first digital network path, transmitting the unique digital code, the store identifying code, and account information associated with a user of the mobile device from the mobile device to the payment system via a second digital network path, and determining whether the unique digital code and store identifying code transmitted via the first digital network path match the unique digital code and store identifying code transmitted via the second digital network path.

Abstract: A multi-level distributed ledger payouts computing system, comprising one or more computing devices programmed to: instantiate one or more operating environments for processing data structures stored in at least one computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor causes the multi-level payout system to: receive a request to perform a first action on a first digital wallet stored using a distributed ledger, wherein a second action to be performed on a second digital wallet stored using the distributed ledger is conditional on at least the first action; determine whether the first action meets a first condition; and when the first action meets the first condition, perform the second action on the second digital wallet.

Abstract: A payment interface apparatus configured to facilitate a transaction comprising a request to update redemption points recorded in a customer redemption account, the payment interface apparatus comprising: an input port to receive the request to update redemption points recorded in a customer redemption account and data fields in support of the request; a processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the payment interface apparatus at least to: authenticate the request using a selection of at least the received data fields that are attributable to transaction specific parameters, the transaction specific parameters being data elements unique to the transaction; and effect the update in the redemption points recorded in the customer redemption account in response to successful authentication of the request.

Abstract: Implementations of electronic payment service processing methods and devices are disclosed. In an implementation, a server receives a first information set for performing an electronic payment, where the first information set includes payment information of a first payment option and service information for performing the electronic payment. The server may determine that the electronic payment has not been successfully performed. In response to determining that the electronic payment has not been successfully performed, a one-click payment link associated with payment information of a second payment option and the service information is generated, and the one-click payment link is provided to a mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a non-transactable account identifier with a payment token is disclosed. The non-transactable account identifier can have the same format as a primary account number (PAN) and the payment token, but is not used to conduct a payment transaction.

Abstract: A methods and system of hosted thin-client payment authorization and authentication services for processing payments for value-added service (VAS) providers is described. A method, performed by a host server operating a thin-client device, includes receiving transaction request data at a host server computer from a thin-client device, where the transaction request data can include financial account data and biometric data. The host-server transmits a verification request message to a VAS provider and receives an indication that it is a valid merchant. The host-server transmits an authorization request message comprising the biometric data to a payment processing network (PPN), where the PPN communicates with an authentication server computer to validate the biometric data, sends the authorization request message to an issuer and receives an authorization response message from the issuer.

Abstract: A method for a user to perform a transaction with a merchant using a user account associated with a user computing device, wherein the user account is associated with a transaction infrastructure, can include: initiating the transaction including providing a public identity of the user to the merchant; the merchant determining user account information associated with the public identity, and providing transaction details to the transaction infrastructure for approval; sending the transaction details to the user computing device; the user approving or disapproving the transaction at the user computing device, and sending the approval or disapproval to the transaction infrastructure; wherein the transaction is approved or rejected through the transaction infrastructure after the user's approval or disapproval is received. Suitable methods and apparatus for the user computing device and the issuer server are also described.

Abstract: A social customer care platform system is disclosed. The system is integrated with social media and social networks. The system allows customer service agents to identify, prioritize, match and triage customer support requests that may arise through a social network and may be serviced using a social network. High volume customer interactions are managed and tracked and Internet social network posts relevant to a business's products or services are monitored along with the ability to capture, monitor, filter, make sense of and respond to, in near real-time, tens of thousands of social interactions. The system includes role specific user-interface and functionality for social customer service and support environments, automated prioritization and matching for increased agent productivity, and an automated enterprise workflow to align social media support with existing business processes.

Abstract: A vehicle weight detection method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, include calculating a first difference between a first expected weight of a vehicle and a first current weight of the vehicle based on On-Board Dash (OBD) input data, calculating a second difference between a second expected weight of the vehicle and a second current weight of the vehicle based on a spring-mass-damper mechanical algorithm using vehicle data received from a user device, and a comparing circuit configured to compare each of the first difference and the second difference to a predetermined weight difference threshold value.

Abstract: A method for reporting loss of a card or device associated with an account number or stolen of an account number includes: displaying a prestored account number list, wherein the account number list comprises at least one account number; receiving a loss-reporting instruction corresponding to a target account number among the at least one account number; and transmitting a loss-reporting request to a locally-stored application program corresponding to the target account number, wherein the loss-reporting request carries the target account number so that the application program performs loss-reporting treatment on the target account number. Security of funds of users may be enhanced by adopting the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method or system for management of internet search marketing campaigns, comprising software which contains at least one of the following features: (a) a process flowcharting feature by which a user can develop in a graphical manner the applicable campaign management process for an internet search marketing campaign; and (b) a process flowcharting feature by which the need for a user to develop mathematical formulas or write software code to analyse available campaign data is removed.