Abstract: Described is a system for counting stacked items using image analysis. In one implementation, an image of an inventory location with stacked items is obtained and processed to determine the number of items stacked at the inventory location. In some instances, the item closest to the camera that obtains the image may be the only item viewable in the image. Using image analysis, such as depth mapping or Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) algorithms, the distance of the item from the camera and the shelf of the inventory location can be determined. Using this information, and known dimension information for the item, a count of the number of items stacked at an inventory location may be determined.

Abstract: One broad aspect of the invention features a shelving facing display. The shelving facing display includes a housing, an electronic display, and multiple product sensors. The housing is mountable to a forward edge of a product shelf. The electronic display is mounted to the housing and arranged to be viewed from in front of the shelf. The electronic display is controllable to present desired images across at least a majority of a width of the shelf. The multiple product sensors are mounted to the housing. Each sensor is arranged to detect product on a respective width of the shelf. The display is configured to alter a displayed image in response to input from the product sensors.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems for enabling physical retail stores and other facilities to implement automated-checkout techniques for the purchase of items that are priced per unit weight. For example, the described systems may enable a facility to implement technology where users are able to remove items from inventory locations, place the items on weight sensors, and then be charged for the prices of the items without performing manual checkout of the items. The price of an item is determined based at least in part on the identifier of the item and the price per unit weight of the item. The systems described herein thus enable customized retail facilities, as opposed to a retail facility that allows automated-checkout only for prepackaged-type or otherwise non-customizable merchandise.

Abstract: Technologies for managing payment authorization request messaging for payment transactions include a transaction management controller. The transaction management controller receives a transaction amount for a payment transaction from a business management engine and a payment transaction type from a point of interaction device. The transaction management controller initializes a transaction processing module that corresponds to the received payment transaction type. The transaction processing module defines payment processing parameters for processing payment transactions of the payment transaction type. One or more of the payment processing parameters are modified based on configuration data received from a remote configuration device. The transaction management controller processes the payment transaction as a function of the payment processing parameters. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and an information wallet application stored on machine readable storage media coupled to the processor and including program logic that causes the processor to receive a shopping list from a first information wallet adapter stored on a user computing device, send the shopping list to a second information wallet adapter stored on a merchant computing device, receive merchant data from the second information wallet adapter, wherein the merchant data includes one of price data and quantity data for at least one item included in the shopping list, and send the merchant data to the first information wallet adapter. The system also includes a cloud storage computing system accessible by the information wallet storage application and configured to communicate with the first and second information wallet adapters in order to store and retrieve shopping list data associated with the shopping list.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to supply chain management. In particular, the tracking, tracing, authenticating, and reporting of supply chain events for products, is disclosed. Various embodiments can store, analyze, and track supply chain events and help to coordinate and maintain trading partner connections. Various embodiments also help to enhance patient safety, secure the supply chains for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other healthcare products, and help users to follow regulatory requirements.

Abstract: A method for aligning NFC antennas on a mobile device and document. The method comprises determining the mobile device model identifier, associating the model identifier with a configuration, determining a model type and determining the document configuration in relation to its NFC components, selecting an feedback schema for aligning the NFC antennas based on the device and document configuration, generating alignment feedback according to the alignment feedback schema, detecting a data connection between the mobile device and the document and generating a connection indication. The determining the document type can be performed by reading a Machine Readable Zone. The feedback schema can be coupled with the mobile device's video camera and display, audio, and haptic feedback.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and a method that enable alignment for communication, in which short-range wireless communication is performed, to be performed easily and with high accuracy. The apparatus and the method include a control unit that displays, on a display unit, an image to be presented to a user at a time of aligning a position of a communication unit of the self-apparatus that performs short-range wireless communication with a position of a communication unit of a communication counterpart apparatus. The control unit overlappingly displays, on the display unit, an alignment image captured by a camera of the self-apparatus at a position where short-range wireless communication between the self-apparatus and the communication counterpart apparatus is possible, and a live view image which is a current captured image according to the camera of the self-apparatus. The control unit displays outline data or transparent data for the alignment image on the display unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a collaborative offer portal is provided. A proposed offer is received from a manufacturer, including an offer structure and a number of consumers they wish to target. Transaction logs of a retailer are accessed to determine an audience for the offer by calculating a return on investment (ROI) for the customer base using the retailer's records given the offer type. The consumers are then grouped by their ROI distribution, and the ROI for the deal is calculated based upon the offer size in light of this distribution. From the offer ROI a discount percentage to be paid by the retailer versus the merchant can be created. The retailer may then choose to accept the offer for deployment.

Abstract: Briefly, example methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented, in whole or in part, to facilitate and/or support one or more operations and/or techniques for an electronically connected environment, such as implemented in connection with one or more computing and/or communication networks, devices, and/or protocols, for example.

Abstract: An electronic price label system, an apparatus and a method for managing an electronic price label are disclosed. The electronic price label includes a display and communication device. In the method, the identifier in an electronic price label is read and, based on the read identifier, a command is sent to the electronic price label by means of a near field. The command can be an emptying command and/or extinguishing command for an electronic price label or it can be a command containing a new state and/or price.

Abstract: A commodity registration apparatus includes a check-in terminal, a sensor group, and a management terminal. A processor of the management terminal is configured to track movement of a shopper and store items using the sensor group. A first commodity list is updated to include a first item when the tracked movements indicate the known shopper has selected the first item for purchase. The movements of any unidentified shopper are tracked. The processor updates a second commodity list to include a second item when tracked movements indicate the unidentified shopper has selected the second item for purchase. The second commodity list is associated with a provisional identification code. Commodity registration data for settlement processing is generated using the first commodity list unless the unidentified shopper is later identified as the known shopper, in which case, commodity registration data is generated using the first and second commodity lists in combination.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a moving apparatus on which a parcel to be transferred to a predetermined region is loaded and that is capable of moving the parcel along a circulation route along which the moving apparatus circulates in the region. The delivery system acquires delivery information including position information about a delivery destination of the parcel, generates a delivery plan for delivering the parcel to the delivery destination, based on the acquired delivery information, and controls the moving apparatus such that the moving apparatus moves the parcel to the delivery destination on the circulation route based on the delivery plan and fulfills the transfer of the parcel when permission information indicating that the transfer of the parcel is permitted has been received.

Abstract: Embodiments of work stations for use in a medical dose preparation management system are disclosed. A work station may include a camera stand. The camera stand may include a housing enclosing a camera and one or more light sources therein. As such, the camera and light sources may be directed at a medical dose preparation staging region to capture medical dose preparation images of the medical dose preparation staging region. The camera stand may include an adjustable support positionable in a plurality of positions to dispose the camera and light source relative to the medical dose preparation staging region. The work stations may facilitate improved image quality and record work flows carried out at the work station for preparation verification.

Abstract: Methods of detecting scan avoidance events during decode sessions are disclosed herein. An example method includes during a timeout period at one or more processors of the symbology scanner, identifying and decoding a transaction affecting indicia on an object in one or more images to obtain a transaction affecting payload; during the timeout period at the one or more processors, identifying one or more visual features in the one or more images; and in response to identifying a non-transaction affecting indicia associated with the one or more visual features, and failing to identify or decode the transaction affecting indicia, determining a potential scan avoidance attempt and generating a scan avoidance alarm signal.

Abstract: A system and method for hidden security feature detection, analysis and authentication using a smart device is disclosed. The smart device can detect and analyze hidden security features using the camera capability of the smart device to capture a digital image, and then analyze and authenticate that image using a security service including a database of security feature data, processing rules, and other information. The security service can support a variety of smart devices and security features. The smart device includes a security-specific autofocus function that allows the smart device to be positioned within a range of distances and angles from a target document that includes hidden/covert security feature(s). The smart device can display an enhanced image showing the hidden security feature(s) and/or report if the security feature is valid or invalid, along with related information, via beeps, vibration, display, text messaging, or other reporting capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, the consumer identifying data may be associated with a unit of location, such as a dine-in location at a restaurant, to facilitate consumer service.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that impute planned transshipment locations for an itinerary associated with an item of cargo. In particular, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a supply chain management computing system can obtain itinerary data that describes a planned shipment of an item of cargo from an origin location to a destination location. For example, the itinerary data can identify at least a shipping vehicle planned to transport the item of cargo. The supply chain management computing system can access vehicle location data associated with at least the shipping vehicle and can predict, based at least in part on the itinerary data and the vehicle location data, a transshipment location at which the item of cargo is transferred from the shipping vehicle to a different shipping vehicle.

Abstract: A management terminal manages a plurality of Self-Service Terminals (SSTs) for customer-assistance, transaction overrides, theft determinations, and transaction security audits. One or more overhead cameras stream real-time video of the transactions being processed at the SSTs to a server. Transaction data produced in real time at the SSTs are also provided to the server. The video is correlated with the transaction data and evaluated for security events. The video is also cached on the server. An operator of the management terminal can access a video review interface based on events and/or information visually gleaned by the operator during the transactions. The interface permits the operator to view a configured cached portion of the video captured for any given transaction to provide context to the operator for determining whether to perform or whether not to perform a transaction audit.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure can include a server that can determine transport routes for individual objects based on rules. The transport routes can include an intermediary at which the individual objects are to be consolidated into a single container. The server can also receiving a request from a client computer for an object label corresponding to one of the individual objects. In response to receiving the request, the server can determine the intermediary based on a transport route for the object, generate the object label based on the intermediary, and transmit the object label to the client computer for causing the object label to be printed with a printer and coupled to the object.

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: A method and system for assisting in shopping at a physical store (104) is described. The method includes receiving image data of the inside of a shopping cart (108) and processing the image data to detect one or more events. An event is the addition of an item (114) to the shopping cart (108) or the removal of an item (114) from the shopping cart (108). Responsive to detecting an event, the method processes the image data to identify an item associated with the event, and generates cart information based on the identified item. The cart information includes a record of items currently in the shopping cart (108). The method also communicates the cart information with respect to the identified item to a customer device (118).

Abstract: A wireless tag reader that is attachable to a basket used for storing an object to which a wireless tag is attached includes a body portion that houses a processor configured to read tag information stored in the wireless tag, an antenna extending from or included in the body portion and through which radio waves are transmitted to and received from the wireless tag, and a holding portion attachable to an upper edge part of the basket and including an upper plate part rotatably connected to the body portion, a lower plate part facing the upper plate part, and a biasing member between the upper and lower plate parts and by which one of the upper and lower plate parts is biased towards the other while the upper edge part is sandwiched by the upper and lower plate parts.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tagging data. The method is executed by a device having a communications module and includes providing via the communications module, to a client device, an option to associate tags with an event, the option providing at least one automatically determined tag based on: i) the event, ii) an entity associated with the client device, or iii) stored tag data associated with a plurality of client devices. The method also includes receiving via the communications module, from the client device, at least one tag added by the client device, and associating the at least one tag with the event and store the association with the stored tag data. The method also includes enabling via the communications module, the at least one tag to be displayed in a user interface comprising a listing of events, and using the at least one tag in executing a follow up action associated with the client device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for beverage preparation according to a person-specific, individual recipe. The method for preparing a beverage according to an individual recipe takes place by using a preparation device comprising a positioning device for a drinking vessel and a receiving device for an identification feature. The method includes creating an individual recipe, storing the individual recipe in a recipe pool of a data storage unit, whereby the data storage unit can be reached via an EDP network, linking the identification feature to the recipe pool, positioning the drinking vessel into the preparation device, receiving the identification feature, retrieving the recipe pool that is linked to the identification feature, preparing the beverage according to a recipe from the recipe pool, and filling the beverage into the drinking vessel by the preparation device.

Abstract: A system and method of an intelligent shopping infrastructure is provided. A data storage of current inventory from a plurality of merchants is maintained. User preferences that indicate an item affinity of a user are retrieved. Furthermore, a location of the user is detected. Using the detected location, available inventory, and item affinity, an available item from the current inventory of a merchant located within a predetermined distance to the location of the user that match the item affinity of the user is identified. The available item is presented on a user interface of a client device of the user.

Abstract: Provided is a money processing system realizing easy movement of money between a plurality of money handling apparatuses. A money processing system including a plurality of money handling apparatuses further includes a management apparatus configured to detect a money handling apparatus that requires movement of money, and select, from among the plurality of money handling apparatuses, one or a plurality of money handling apparatuses to move the money between the detected money handling apparatus and the selected one or the plurality of handling apparatuses.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a smart cart system may include a cart including a frame and an item holder supported by the frame and configured to transition between an open position and a storage position that is more compact than the open position. The smart cart system may include a motivator configured to provide a motive force to the cart, a power source coupled with the motivator, and a charging interface attached to the frame of the cart and that interacts with a cart charging system of a cart storage rack to charge the power source. The smart cart system may also include a user interface device, a computing device, and a smart cart controller operable on the computing device to receive information describing an attribute of an item and provide information describing the attribute of the item for presentation by the user interface device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to supply chain management. In particular, the tracking, tracing, authenticating, and reporting of supply chain events for products, is disclosed. Various embodiments can store, analyze, and track supply chain events and help to coordinate and maintain trading partner connections. Various embodiments also help to enhance patient safety, secure the supply chains for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other healthcare products, and help users to follow regulatory requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to supply chain management. In particular, the tracking, tracing, authenticating, and reporting of supply chain events for products, is disclosed. Various embodiments can store, analyze, and track supply chain events and help to coordinate and maintain trading partner connections. Various embodiments also help to enhance patient safety, secure the supply chains for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other healthcare products, and help users to follow regulatory requirements.

Abstract: Improvements to existing technologies associated with point-of-sale transactions and merchant ecosystems to, among other things, reduce in-person contact and, in some examples, improve the efficiency at which point-of-sale transactions are completed (i.e., reduce friction) are described. In some examples, such reduced in-person contact and/or improved efficiencies can limit transmission of infectious diseases. As such, techniques described are directed to modifying aspects of point-of-sale transactions such that they occur on different computing devices (e.g., customer computing devices instead of merchant computing devices), are automated, and/or occur at different times than with conventional point-of-sale transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the integrated circuit cards (ICCs) to removably couple to each other and transmit information to an access device as a single device. One among the two or more ICCs coupled together may read data from the remaining ICCs and provide the data to an access device via contactless communication. The ICC may include a substrate; an integrated circuit embedded in the substrate; input ports exposed on a first surface of the substrate, and output ports exposed on a second surface of the substrate. The input ports and the output ports are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The output ports are configured to be removably coupled to the input ports of a second ICC.

Abstract: A method for adjusting parameters of a device with a weighing sensor collecting environmental parameter data of an environment where the device is currently located or environmental parameter data during execution of an application by the device. A zero compensation parameter is calculated and updated, based on the data collected. The method is applicable to a moisture analyzer and also to a vehicle scale. In the moisture analyzer, the method is triggered and executed in the analyzer, correcting the zero compensation data by using the environmental parameter data of an environment or environmental parameter data during execution of an application by the analyzer. Dynamic and real-time adjustment of a compensation parameter overcomes the problem that the scheme of pre-setting fixed parameters for zero compensation cannot deal with the complex zero drift encountered in actual environments.

Abstract: A transaction is identified for a partial rescan security check based at least in part on basket items of the transaction. A total number of rescan items from the basket items is identified for rescan; the total number of rescan items selected for rescan is less than a total number of the basket items in the transaction. Based on the basket items and transaction features for the transaction, item categories or item departments are identified from which the total number of rescan items are to be selected from the basket items for the rescan security check. The total number of rescan items and the item categories for selection are provided to an attendant terminal for the rescan security check. The rescan security check is processed to determine whether the transaction was associated with theft or not associated with theft.

Abstract: Pursuant to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus and computer program code are provided to create a listing data record which include analyzing an item data record to identify item details, a user, and at least a first listing rule, determining that a degree of demand for the item exceeds a threshold, determining that the at least first listing rule is satisfied, and converting the item data record into a listing data record allowing the listing record to be viewed by a plurality of users interested in the item. The item details may be obtained from a point of sale device or a user device operated by the user.

Abstract: A highly immersive, interactive and addictive platform for shopping. The system may provide both an online and retail experience through an immersive environment that enables repeat transactions and enables add-on sales to offers that are completely unique for each customer. The interactive shopping experience generates one or more bundles to any actual or potential user purchase to create a dynamic and favorable shopping experience for the particular user. The bundles are customized for each user based on user history with a merchant, product data, and merchant data, In addition to customizing the bundles, the decision of whether or not to offer one or more bundles is made only confirming that the current time is desirable to make an offer of bundles to the particular user.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically identifying an item from among a variation of items of a same type. For example, an image may be processed and resulting item image information compared with stored item image information to determine a type of item represented in the image. If the matching stored item image information is part of a cluster, the item image information may then be compared with distinctive features associated with stored item image information of the cluster to determine the variation of the item represented in the received image.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an identification (ID) card of a user terminal using deep learning includes extracting an outline region of the ID card included in an input image using a first neural network model, modifying the ID card image of the image to a reference form using at least a partial value of the extracted outline region, and determining whether the modified ID card image is valid and recognizing text information in the valid ID card image. A recognition rate of the ID card may be increased by modifying an ID card image into a reference form using a trained neural network model.

Abstract: A method for forecasting includes obtaining input data from a data store, using a processor to forecast future data with a currently selected model, detecting a trigger event using a processor, training alternative models in a model family or from multiple families on the input data based on detecting in response to detecting the trigger event, identifying a replacement model from the alternative models using a processor, and using a processor to forecast future data with the replacement model.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a product registration apparatus including an information acquisition unit that determines a placement position of a product having a placing table surface side to which product information is attached and acquires the product information attached to the product, and an output unit that outputs information indicating at least one of the placement position of the product from which the product information can be acquired and the placement position of the product from which the product information cannot be acquired.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved packaging detection at self-checkout kiosks by identifying a given bag type for a bag selected at a self-checkout kiosk out of a plurality of bag types available from a bag dispenser associated with the self-checkout kiosk; identifying a weight range for the given bag type; in response to determining that the bag has been moved to a packing area of the self-checkout kiosk, comparing a first weight in the packing area from before the bag was moved to the packing area with a second weight in the packing area that includes the bag; and in response to a difference between the first weight and the second weight falling outside of the weight range, generating a loss prevention alert and pausing a transaction at the self-checkout kiosk.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatic product comparison using price comparison with reward redemption options indicating relative price reduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing method based on NFC tag. The method comprises: reading the NFC tag, the NFC tag comprising tag content and tag ID; generating an NFC tag payment request based on the tag content and tag ID; parsing the NFC tag payment request and obtaining an parsing reply to the NFC tag payment request; generating an order generation request based on the parsing reply, wherein the order generation request is for causing an order to be generated based on first account information, current transaction information and second account information; generating the order based on the order generation request; and payment step for performing payment based on the order. According to embodiments of the invention, the payment process can be simplified, also, there is no need to set the NFC-specific reading device in the embodiments of the invention, and the cost of merchants can be reduced.

Abstract: An intelligent storage device and an intelligent storage method are provided. The intelligent storage device includes a storage space, an infrared sensor, a weight sensor, a transceiver, and a processor. The storage space is suitable for storing an object. The infrared sensor senses the storage space to generate infrared sensing data. The weight sensor senses the object in the storage space to generate weight sensing data. The processor is coupled to the infrared sensor, the weight sensor, and the transceiver, determines whether the object is placed in or removed from the storage space according to the infrared sensing data and the weight sensing data to generate an event record, and transmits the event record via the transceiver.

Abstract: A self-checkout apparatus includes a display screen, a product scanner to obtain a commodity code from a product being registered in a sales transaction, a storage unit to store journal data including product information for registered. A controller is configured to record product information for products registered in the sales transaction and output a notification of an error in the sales transaction when detected. The notification is output to the display screen and includes information regarding resolution of the error. The controller executes a first countermeasure for resolving the error, then stops the sales transaction if the error is not resolved. The controller then executes a second countermeasure after the sales transaction has been stopped and starts a new transaction if the error is resolved by the second countermeasure.

Abstract: An intelligent screen protector is provided. Responsive to the intelligent screen protector being detached from a paired portable computing device, the intelligent screen protector identifies a set of instructions received from the paired portable computing device associated with visually generating an image of a selected smartcard. In accordance with the set of instructions, the intelligent screen protector visually generates the image of the selected smartcard in a transparent display area of the intelligent screen protector. The intelligent screen protector determines whether a transaction associated with the selected smartcard has been initiated. Responsive to the transaction associated with the selected smartcard being initiated, the intelligent screen protector discontinues the visual generation of the image of the selected smartcard in the transparent display area of the intelligent screen protector.

Abstract: A block storage service provides block-level storage to a plurality of distinct computing instances for a plurality of distinct users. For each of one or more of the plurality of distinct computing instances, information about data being stored in the block storage service is determined. Based on the information about the data being stored in the block storage service, a block storage transaction enhancement for the data being stored in the block storage service is determined. The block storage service performs the selected block storage transaction enhancement with respect to the data being stored in the block storage service.

Abstract: A sales-data processing device includes: a registering circuit that registers a product and generates registration data; a settlement processing circuit that executes settlement processing using the registration data; a sending circuit that sends the registration data to another sales-data processing device for execution of the settlement processing by the other sales-data processing device using the registration data; and a prohibiting circuit. Once the sales-data processing device has determined that the sending circuit will send the registration data, the prohibiting circuit prohibits the settlement processing circuit from executing the settlement processing before the sending circuit sends the registration data.

Abstract: A data acquisition circuit board and an equipment monitoring system are provided. The data acquisition circuit board includes a power supply module configured to perform voltage conversion and supply a power supply signal; a micro-processing unit coupled to the power supply module; a data acquisition module coupled to the micro-processing unit; and a data transmission unit coupled to the power supply module and the micro-processing unit; wherein the micro-processing unit receives and processes data acquired by the data acquisition module, and outputs processed results to the data transmission unit, which transmits the processed results wirelessly.