Abstract: A transaction record is created showing a purchase transaction of a customer. A CV profile showing a list of items in the transaction obtained from images is also obtained. The items in the transaction record are compared to items on the list. When there is a discrepancy, an action to take is determined.

Abstract: A point of sales (POS) system includes a server configured to store a list of commodities registered for purchase in association with identification information about a customer and a terminal comprising first and second scanners through which a commodity code is read. The terminal is configured to acquire identification information, upon reading of a commodity code through the first scanner, transmit first data including the commodity code and the identification information to the server, and upon reading of a commodity code through the second scanner, transmit second data including the commodity code and the identification information to the server. The server is configured to, upon receipt of the first data, register the commodity having the commodity code in the first data in the list, and upon receipt of the second data, delete the commodity having the commodity code in the second data from the list.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide electronic bidding on digital advertising placed on non-personal digital devices in public or semi-public settings and enable subsequent consumer actions taken on other media channels and devices to be attributed to such advertising in digital ad buying systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling smart devices are described. In one aspect a method includes capturing, by a camera on a user device, a plurality of successive images for display in an application environment of an application executing on the user device, performing an object recognition process on the images, the object recognition process including determining that a plurality of images, each depicting a particular object, are required to perform object recognition on the particular object, and in response to the determination, generating a user interface element that indicates a camera operation to be performed, the camera option capturing two or more images, determining that a user, in response to the user interface element, has caused the indicated camera operation to be performed to capture the two or more images, and in response, determining whether a particular object is positively identified from the plurality of images.

Abstract: In a POS terminal device (1) according to the present invention, a rotation center of an operator-side rotation shaft (31) is at a position spaced apart from a longitudinal center line of a housing (2), a rotation center of a customer-side rotation shaft (41) is at a position spaced apart from the center line on an opposite side of the operator-side rotation shaft (31), an operator display (3) is rotated by 90 degrees in a horizontal direction around the operator-side rotation shaft (31) in such a way that a lateral end surface having a shorter distance from the rotation center of the operator-side rotation shaft (31) approaches a customer display (4), and the customer display (4) is rotated by 90 degrees in the horizontal direction around the customer-side rotation shaft (41) in the same direction as the operator display (3).

Abstract: In examples, a method of controlling customer access to an assay system comprises (a) receiving a system identifier; (b) identifying said system identifier; and (c) utilizing information obtained from the system identifier to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) enabling full access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; (ii) enabling partial access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; or (iii) denying access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system.

Abstract: A commodity management system includes a cart including a wireless tag reader/writer configured to read first information from first wireless tags attached to commodities displayed in a store and second information from second wireless tags each disposed in a different display area in the store, and a commodity management apparatus configured to acquire the first and second information read by the wireless tag reader/writer, determine a display area in the store using the acquired second information, and specify a quantity of a commodity displayed in the determined display area based on the acquired first information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for product imaging and provisioning include a mobile application (app) installed on an imaging device, where the mobile app activates the imaging device to generate an image of a product tag associated with an unavailable product at a first location. The mobile app determines, based on the image, a product indicator associated with the unavailable product. A provisioning app, executing on a remote device, receives the product indicator associated with the unavailable product. The provisioning app also receives a user indicator associated with a first user and executes one or more product provisioning rules that determine, based on a product availability database and the user indicator, an availability result. The availability result indicates whether the unavailable product will be available to the first user. The provisioning app is further operable to send the availability result to the imaging device for presentation by the imaging device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reading device includes a communication interface for communication with a commodity registration device. A commodity reader of the reading device reads commodity information from a commodity and the commodity information can be used for identifying the commodity. An output device signals that the commodity reader has read commodity information. A controller causes the communication interface to transmit the commodity information read by commodity reader, initialize the communication interface when it is determined that transmission of the commodity information has failed, and signal a communication failure when transmission of the commodity information has failed.

Abstract: Authentication method and systems using RFID-enabled payment cards are disclosed herein where a server receives a request corresponding to authorization of a payment associated with a payment card from an electronic terminal. The server identifies an electronic device of a user associated with the payment card. The server then transmits an instruction to the electronic device to cause an RFID reader of the electronic device to determine whether an RFID tag corresponding to the payment card is located within a predetermined proximity to the electronic device. When the payment card is located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a first authentication protocol. Moreover, when the payment card is not located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a second authentication protocol, wherein the second authentication protocol is more restrictive than the first authentication protocol.

Abstract: A combination automated-service and self-service store for implementation at brick-and-mortar retail locations is provided. The store and corresponding method of implementation is an automated-service model in which robots, deployed at the brick-and-mortar location, fill orders for fungible goods placed by customers either online or in-store. The store also includes a shopping section where customers can select/order items and/or personally select non-fungible goods. The store includes a shopping section for non-fungible goods that customers prefer to pick out by hand and a back end automated order fulfillment section for other goods (e.g., fungible goods, dry goods, etc.). The two sets of goods are merged to a delivery bundle and delivered together for pickup by the customer.

Abstract: A self-service apparatus having a three-layer system architecture includes an application-layer device, an intermediate-layer device, and bottom-layer peripheral devices. The application-layer device is configured to provide a user interface for self-service and control the entire self-service apparatus according to an interaction with the user to provide the user with required self-service, and comprises a first processor and a first memory. The first processor executes an application program stored in the first memory and communicates with the intermediate-layer device. The intermediate-layer device comprises a terminal control module which comprises a second processor and a second memory. The second processor communicates with the bottom-layer peripheral devices, and the second processor executes a control program stored in the second memory to control operations of the peripheral devices based on an instruction from the application-layer device.

Abstract: A method of detecting a cart-based loss incident in a retail store includes decoding one or more video frames of a video stream to obtain one or more motion vectors therefrom, detecting motion of a shopping cart within a cash register lane bounded by pre-defined tracking start and end points based on the one or more motion vectors, tracking a location of the shopping cart till the shopping cart reaches the pre-defined tracking end point, dynamically classifying the shopping cart in one of a plurality of classification statuses based on recognition of one or more items present in the shopping cart till the shopping cart reaches the pre-defined tracking end point, and generating an alert signal when the shopping cart is classified in a pre-defined classification status from the plurality of classification statuses at an alert threshold point between the pre-defined tracking start and end points.

Abstract: A vison-based self-checkout terminal is provided. Purchased items are placed on a base and multiple cameras take multiple images of each item placed on the base. A location for each item placed on the base is determined along with a depth and the dimensions of each item at its given location on the base. Each item's images are then cropped, and item recognition is performed for each item on that item's cropped images with that item's corresponding depth and dimension attributes. An item identifier for each item is obtained along with a corresponding price and a transaction associated with items are completed.

Abstract: An electronic price label system and an electronic price label, which include a communication device for receiving information related to a product. The electronic price label further includes a first display for displaying information related to the product, and a second display for displaying information related to the product. The first display and the second display are separate displays, and the first display and second display are adapted to be controlled separate from each other.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit (11) acquires a recognition processing image. A recognition unit (12) recognizes a product in the recognition processing image based on an estimation model. A registration unit (13) registers a result of the recognition in recognized product information. An output unit (14) outputs a result of the recognition. A correction reception unit (16) receives an input for correcting a result of the recognition. A correction unit (17) changes a result of the recognition to a result of the recognition after a correction, and also stores correction information in which a result of the recognition after a correction and the recognition processing image are associated with each other. A learning unit (18) performs relearning by using the recognition processing image stored as the correction information and updates the estimation model, when a number of the recognition processing image stored exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a fund access request from a user device associated with a user; generating a tokenized card number based on an actual card account number of the user that substitutes the actual card account number in a payment transaction; providing a code to the user device including the tokenized card number and a numeric or alphanumeric string of values; determining that the numeric or alphanumeric string of values in the code transmitted to the user device matches a numeric or alphanumeric string of values in a field of a code received from a separate computer system; determining that a location of the user device matches a merchant location; authenticating the payment transaction based on the numeric or alphanumeric match and the location match; and, transmitting the actual card account number to the separate computer system as part of the payment transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe providing feedback to a shopper at a POS system using a computer vision system. Many items at a store may lack barcodes or other identifying marks such as produce. The shopper may have to perform an action to identify the item to the POS system. The computer vision system can double check the identify provided by the shopper to reduce mistakes and deter nefarious actors. If the computer vision system cannot independently confirm that the item being purchased matched the identity provided by the shopper, the POS system can display a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes an image of the item captured by the computer vision system along with identification data of the item identified by the shopper. This gives the shopper a chance to correct any mistakes.

Abstract: A system and method for premises theft prevention and detection. A system comprises a media capture device, a target area and target object at a workstation, and operably configured code in non-transitory computer readably storage media. A system recognizes a theft or misappropriation and can notify a business owner or police. The system is powered by machine-learning algorithms that progressively improve accuracy and precision in theft detection.

Abstract: A payment terminal includes a camera configured to capture an image, a card slot for inserting a contact type IC card, and a panel arrangement surface on which a touch panel is arranged. A lens of the camera, the card slot, and the panel arrangement surface are arranged in order in the height direction from a placement surface of the payment terminal. The panel arrangement surface is oriented obliquely upward toward a user positioned in front of the card slot. An optical axis direction of the lens is obliquely upward toward the user, and the lens is provided closer to the user than the card slot.

Abstract: The system is configured to monitor and operate a hybrid reward system with a multi-channel point of sale terminal. The system may perform operations including receiving, by a computer based system and via a first connection from a point of sale terminal, reward program information and transaction information in response to a reward program instrument being presented at the point of sale terminal. A transaction authorization request associated with the reward program information may be provided by the point of sale terminal, via a second connection from the point of sale terminal, to a transaction authorization system to authorize a transaction. The transaction may be initiated by a transaction instrument. The reward program instrument is at least one of a transaction instrument and a reward program indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that transmits a message using a light pattern is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives an indication to transmit a message using the light pattern. In addition, the device activates a flash on the device. The device further encodes the message into instructions for transmitting the light pattern. The device additionally transmits the message using the flash according to the instructions for the light pattern.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes an optical code reader, a platform on which items to be purchased are placed, a weight sensor configured to detect a weight of objects placed on the platform, and a processor configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. The processor carries out a registration process based on a merchandise code corresponding to a code symbol read from an item by the optical code reader while enabling a confirmation process to confirm proper item placement based on the weight detected by the weight sensor in the first mode, and carries out the registration process while disabling the confirmation process in the second mode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide transaction validation systems and methods for use in self-checkout at a retail establishment. An exemplary system may include a scale sized to support and weigh a shopping basket thereon. At least one image sensor is arranged to capture at least one image of the weighed shopping basket. A processor receives a weight measurement of the shopping basket from the scale and determines, based on information received from a wireless communications device of a customer, a record of products in the shopping basket and an expected cumulative weight associated with the products in the shopping basket. The processor determines a discrepancy between the weight measurement of the products in the shopping basket and the expected cumulative weight and reconciles the determined discrepancy using the at least one captured image of the shopping basket by the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide transaction validation systems and methods for use in self-checkout at a retail establishment. An exemplary system may include a scale sized to support and weigh a shopping basket thereon. At least one image sensor is arranged to capture at least one image of the weighed shopping basket. A processor receives a weight measurement of the shopping basket from the scale and determines, based on information received from a wireless communications device of a customer, a record of products in the shopping basket and an expected cumulative weight associated with the products in the shopping basket. The processor determines a discrepancy between the weight measurement of the products in the shopping basket and the expected cumulative weight and reconciles the determined discrepancy using the at least one captured image of the shopping basket by the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: A sales data processing system includes a first reader that reads a code symbol as a visible image included in image information output by an imaging unit, a second reader that reads a code symbol as an invisible image in the image information, and a third reader that recognizes a service image in the image information. The system includes a registrar that registers information as sales data on a commodity identified by the code symbol read by the first or second reader, and a standby processor that suspends reading by the second reader and waits for recognition of a service image by the third reader in response to a commodity being identified by the code symbol read by the second reader. The system includes a service processor that reflects a service in the sales data registered by the registrar in response to the third reader recognizing the service image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method approves a transaction by storing, at a first computer system, first data identifying at least a portion of an identity of a user, an information locator associated with the first data, and a transformation method associated with the information locator. The computer-implemented method also receives, at the first computer system from a second computer system, the information locator when the user conducts the transaction, and second data converted from electronically obtained identification information of the user. An identity of the user cannot be identified from the second data. The computer-implemented method transforms, at the first computer system, the second data into third data based on the transformation method retrieved in response to the received information locator, and approves, by the first computer system, the transaction associated with the information locator when the third data corresponds to the first data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed utilizing cognitive computing to improve commercial communications from vendors to users. A user's financial account(s) and location may be monitored to determine when a user is within a threshold distance of a vendor. If the user is within the threshold distance the methods and systems disclosed may determine which targeted commercial communications to transmit to the user based upon a shopping profile for the user. The shopping profile may include a dataset indicative of the shopping habits of the user.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes: a processor that acquires a type of a product sold by weight; and a transceiver connected to the processor and that establishes intercommunication with a weighing device that weighs the product sold by weight; a storage connected to the processor. The processor causes the transceiver to acquire, from the weighing device, a weight value of the product sold by weight weighed by the weighing device. The processor registers, in the storage, the type of the product and the weight value that corresponds to the type of the product.

Abstract: Systems and techniques that provide improvements to designer applications as described to address, for example, limitations associated with constructing a user interface as it is being designed by a user in a development environment. In some implementations, a system provides a design interface through which a user can view, develop, and test functional aspects of an electronic form in real-time while the user is building the application. The system maintains associations between components of the electronic form and expressions for the components referenced in program logic for the electronic form.

Abstract: A keyboard detection system, that includes a processor that operates to detect at least one anomaly in input data and determine a correlation between the at least one anomaly and a characteristic of an inconsistent keyboard type. The processor may operate to determine the correlation between the at least one anomaly and the characteristic of the inconsistent keyboard type based on a lookup table or algorithm.

Abstract: The disclosed technologies include a robotic selling assistant that receives an item from a seller, automatically generates a posting describing the item for sale, stores the item until it is sold, and delivers or sends the item out for delivery. The item is placed in a compartment that uses one or more sensors to identify the item, retrieve supplemental information about the item, and take pictures of the item for inclusion in the posting. A seller-supplied description of the item may be verified based on the retrieved supplemental information, preventing mislabeled items from being sold.

Abstract: Various embodiments include at least one of devices, systems, methods, and software systems and method enabling communication and signaling devices. One embodiment is in the form of a method that includes receiving, via a network, data from a mobile device of an authenticated customer, including data of items for purchase scanned by the mobile device and storing the data of the scanned items for purchase in a cart data structure associated with an account of the authenticated customer. The method also includes receiving, via the network, data indicating the mobile device is located at a pay station and payment data from the mobile device to pay for items represented in the cart data structure. This method further includes transmitting, via the network and in response to the received payment data, a payment confirmation to the mobile device generated upon successfully processing a payment for items in the cart data structure.

Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.

Abstract: A method includes supporting, by a support, a bag containing one or more items of an order and detecting, by a sensor coupled to an end of the support, a weight of the bag and the one or more items when the bag is suspended on the support such that the weight of the bag and the one or more items is exerted on the support. The method also includes comparing, by a hardware processor, the detected weight to an expected weight of the order and communicating, by the hardware processor, an alert when the expected weight is unequal to the detected weight.

Abstract: A height-adjustable kiosk apparatus includes: a kiosk unit configured to generate processed signals by recognizing and processing an image and a voice, to receive basic signals from a user, to perform output, and to process payment; and a height adjustment unit disposed under the kiosk unit, and equipped with a driving unit configured to be driven to move the kiosk unit up and down based on the processed signals; wherein the kiosk unit includes an image recognition unit, a voice recognition unit, an image processing unit, and a voice processing unit; and wherein the height adjustment unit includes a driving signal generation unit and a priority determination unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to determining a mobile communication device's location, even if the mobile communication device does not have an active data connection. Embodiments of the invention also relate to achieving connectivity between a mobile communication device not having an active data connection and to another mobile communication device, server computer, or third-party computer.

Abstract: A portable checkout unit automatically generates training data for an automatic checkout system as a customer collects items in a store. A customer uses an item scanner of portable checkout unit to generate a virtual shopping list of items collected in the shopping cart. When the customer adds a new item to the shopping cart or on some regular interval, the portable checkout unit captures images of the items contained by the shopping cart and can generate bounding boxes for each product in each image. The bounding boxes can be associated with item identifiers from previously-generated bounding boxes to identify the items captured by the bounding boxes. Each bounding box paired with an item identifier can then be used as training data for an automated checkout system.

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: An asset verification system, comprising: a reader comprising a holder configured to hold an asset in a tag-reading position, a light source consisting of at least one light to provide illumination to the asset, magnifying optics configured with an effective magnification for both sufficiently separating dots in a tag in the body of the asset and viewing the tag at an effective magnification greater than 10×, reflective optics for conveying an image of the tag through the reader, and, position controls for adjusting the positioning of the asset with respect to the magnifying optics; a multi-function hardware device comprising an optical sensor for reading the tag of the asset projected to the optical sensor by the reader; and, a database having information related to the asset including an association of the tag to the asset stored thereon.

Abstract: An electronic device may include wireless communications circuitry that receives location information from tags that are coupled to different items. The electronic device may keep track of the different items using the tags. The electronic device may include control circuitry that analyzes historical tracking data from the tags to identify patterns and relationships between the tags. Based on the historical tracking data, the control circuitry may classify some tagged items as bags for other tagged items and may automatically alert the user when a tagged item is missing from its bag. The control circuitry may generate rules based on the historical tracking data, such as rules regarding acceptable ranges between tagged items and acceptable ranges between tagged items and the electronic device. The control circuitry may determine when to provide real-time location information and other notifications for a tagged item based on the historical tracking data.

Abstract: A nutrition tracking system comprises a nutrition tracking server, a plurality of weight-based food offering terminals, and one or more nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals. Multiple weight-based food offering terminals may be equipped on a food service cart. Each weight-based food offering terminal may be initialized to offer a type of food. The weight-based food offering terminal automatically measures the weight of food taken by a customer or for a customer, calculates the cost of food, and shows the weight and the cost on the display in real time. When the food is paid, the weight-based food offering terminal automatically reports the vending information to the nutrition tracking server. The nutrition tracking server maintains a database for customer meal information and a database for customer nutrition information. Customers may inquire their meal history and nutrition information using the nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals.

Abstract: A stackable handcart includes a cart frame, a display, and a restriction member. The cart frame includes a receiving portion on which a shopping basket is placeable and a front end portion that abuts a first stackable handcart when the stackable handcart is stacked with the first stackable handcart from behind the first stackable handcart. The display is attached to the cart frame. The restriction member is attached to the cart frame at a position to abut a front end portion of a second stackable handcart when the second stackable handcart is stacked with the stackable handcart from behind the stackable handcart. The restriction member is positioned such that a display of the second stackable handcart does not abut the display of the stackable handcart when the front end portion of the second stackable handcart abuts the restriction member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for datacenter are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a system or method herein causes a process for a structure that includes a component tracking system, where such a system includes individual components within individual servers or individual racks, the process being based in part on at least location information and configuration information from one or more of an optical sensor or a radio sensor associated with a motile-support that is adapted for at least three dimensional (3D) movement in a space having the individual servers or the individual racks.

Abstract: Detection means of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system is configured to detect an object existing at a location at which at least one of landing or takeoff of an unmanned aerial vehicle is to be performed. Type identification means is configured to identify a type of the object based on a result of detection by the detection means. Restriction means is configured to restrict at least one of landing or takeoff of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the type identified by the type identification means.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for making a pre-payment. In some embodiments, a user is provided with a mobile wallet; information populating at least one payment instrument to the mobile wallet is received; information that the mobile wallet is usable with respect to the vehicle is received; information that the mobile wallet has been presented by the vehicle to a payment location is received; an authorized pre-payment corresponding to items or an amount associated with the payment location is received; a token is received from the user at the payment location; and the pre-payment is settled using the payment instrument.

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: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for discovery of and communication with nearby devices using direct radio signal communication. One of the methods includes receiving, by a payment service system, a message authorizing a payment from a user account to a merchant account, wherein the message was sent by a user device using direct radio signal communication to a nearby merchant device and forwarded to the payment service system by the merchant device. The message is decrypted to obtain a session token that authenticates the user device as being associated with the user account. If the session token is valid a payment transaction is conducted between the user account and the merchant account.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining whether an unknown product matches a scanned barcode during a checkout process. An edge computing device or other computer system can receive, from an overhead camera at a checkout lane, image data of an unknown product that is placed on a flatbed scanning area, identify candidate product identifications for the unknown product based on applying a classification model and/or product identification models to the image data, and determine based on the candidate product identifications, whether the unknown product matches a product associated with a barcode that is scanned at a POS terminal in the checkout lane. The classification model can be used to determine n-dimensional space feature values for the unknown product and determine which product the unknown product likely matches. The product identification models can be used to determine whether the unknown product is one of the products that are modeled.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating and/or modifying a shopping list from a mobile advertisement. The advertisement can be targeted from a predefined algorithm, from multiple algorithms, or generated in real time based on items presented to a user. The advertisement may be random. When the advertisement is selected for viewing, it provides the option for saving information about the advertised product to a shopping list. The list may be a remote list that may be accessed via a deep link URL, a cloud-based storage solution, and/or it may be local to the mobile device.