Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for enhanced and flexible ingestion of product-related data from various and diverse data sources. The product-related data is linked to interactions that allow end-user customers to view and manipulate product listings and product data using the ingested information.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining an image of a graphic code from a scanning device that scans the graphic code displayed on a user terminal of a user; extracting, from the image of the graphic code, graphic code information encoded in the graphic code; verifying signature information in the graphic code information, wherein the graphic code information comprises the signature information, at least one piece of identity information of the user, and service permission information of multiple services; determining whether the at least one piece of identity information of the user matches identity information accepted by a service provider corresponding to the scanning device; determining whether the service permission information of multiple services of the graphic code information matches service permission information of a service supported by the scanning device; and executing the service.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a shopping support system has a server and a store terminal. The server stores user identification information including information of a group capable of identifying the group to which the user belongs, and shopping memo information which is associated with the user identification information, and includes information of a commodity to be purchased by the user, in a storage device. The store terminal repeatedly acquires the shopping memo information which is associated with the information of the group capable of identifying the group to which the user in whom login has been permitted belongs, from the server at a periodic prescribed timing.

Abstract: A method for configuring an electronic label is provided. The method may include receiving, at a communication interface associated with an electronic label, at least one configuration setting corresponding to one or more predefined outputs stored in memory of the electronic label, based on the received at least one configuration setting, selecting a predefined output from a plurality of predefined outputs to be displayed at a display of the electronic label, and causing the selected predefined output to be displayed at the display of the electronic label.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scanner. The scanner may include an enclosure, a first camera, and a second camera. The enclosure may define a first opening and a second opening. The first camera may be arranged to capture first images exterior to the enclosure via the first opening. The second camera may be arranged to capture second images exterior to the enclosure via the second opening. The first images and the second images may be of a product passing through a field of view defined by the first camera and the second camera.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic shelf label includes identifying a user type; retrieving a task type matching the user type from at least one preset task type according to the user type, the user type including at least one of a gender or an age of the user; generating a task based on the retrieved task type; presenting the task; and transmitting the task to an electronic shelf label.

Abstract: An online incentive network is optimized. Online incentive network data is accessed including data regarding sharing between users of the network from at least one database. Inputted parameters and network data are applied to one or more models for incentivized deal sharing to determine profitability of an incentivized sharing deal to offer to plurality of users via an online network for one or more products or services provided by a merchant. The incentivized sharing deal comprises a deal in which a user purchases a particular deal, and then when the user shares the particular deal with a threshold number of other users who also purchase the deal, the user receives an incentive. The parameters include a price of the deal; a proportion of the deal kept by the merchant or the online incentive network, and the number of incentivized users. An interface offers the incentivized sharing deal to users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for returning an item. The methods comprise: performing operations by a self-return station to capture an image of a first item that an individual is trying to return to an entity; performing machine learning operations by the self-return station using the image to determine whether the first item is damaged and to determine a degree of item damage; allowing, by the self-return station, a return of the first item to the entity when the first item is not damaged or when the degree of item damage does not exceed a threshold value; and preventing, by the self-return station, the return of the first item to the entity when the first item is damaged and the degree of item damage exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for tagging, organizing and tracking evidence during an investigation has evidence kits and mobile communication devices that collect physical, photographic and interpretive evidence, such as materials from a crime scene and interviews with witnesses. The evidence kits can be used to collect physical evidence, and the mobile devices or other computers are used to upload information about the evidence. The system includes multiple user accounts with varying permissions for access by various parties associated with the evidence. Accordingly, some user accounts are configured to permit user inputs on a permanent and temporary basis and other user accounts are configured to only provide read-only access.

Abstract: There is provided a parcel recognition device that recognizes parcel based on a color image including one or more parcels, the device including: a processor; and a memory, in which by cooperating with the memory, the processor estimates a region of the one or more parcels in the color image, switches a color of a background which is a region excluding the region of the one or more parcels in the color image, and recognizes each of the one or more parcels based on the background having the switched color and a color of the region of the parcel.

Abstract: The present invention involves a security system and method for monitoring and controlling a person's select activity with a select object with and without electronic imaging, while communicating and recording such interaction to a remote device. The system comprises a specialized computing device comprising a capacitance charge controller, a detection electrode, a wireless means of communications, a remote monitoring device capable of receiving a control signal directly or indirectly from the capacitance charge controller, at least one annunciator, at least one processor, an imaging device and at least one non-transitory computer readable medium. The method comprises receiving data from a specialized communication device, over a cellular, wireless, satellite, or other network to a special purpose computer with a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a checkout station having a housing, a customer interface and a customer unloading station. A point-of-sale system has a microprocessor and memory operatively associated with one another to identify products being purchased, payments tendered therefor and to store transaction information locally at the checkout station or remotely from the checkout station. The microprocessor has programming configured to allow an item to be scanned by a product identification scanner, and an attendant command module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing and executing, by a transaction server, of a payments service, which payment service is executed over a sales channel between at least two user registered to the service, the user being at least a buyer and at least a merchant, wherein the transaction server can be accessed through the sales channel by the communication unit of the at least one buyer and can be accessed by the sales unit of the at least one merchant, for processing the electronic transaction instruction as well as further commercial agreements between the buyer and the at least one merchant.

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: The systems and methods for receiving a user input for a combination of a plurality of object pointers, wherein the object pointers are associated with a corresponding plurality of items located within a first area; retrieving one or more system parameters comprising a current location and a current container; transmitting a request for the combination of the plurality of object pointers, the request comprising the one or more system parameters; receiving the combination of the plurality of object pointers in response to the request; displaying locations of the plurality of items relative to the current location; and processing the plurality of items until a threshold capacity of the current container is reached by receiving input data corresponding to the plurality of object pointers.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to identify one or more items in a transaction are provided. The method includes capturing images of the items, determining a set of possible identifications for each item based on the images, determining information regarding the transaction, selecting an identification for each item from the sets of possible identifications, based on the determined information, and adding the selected identifications to the transaction. Identifications for items may be selected based on confidence factors, price thresholds, and customer information.

Abstract: A platform receives an indication that at least a first user has performed a data collection activity. In response, the platform allocates at least one unit of a reward to at least the first user. Data collection activity can include the first user sharing, with a second user, product information that was transmitted to the first user by the platform in response to receiving a product identifier captured by the first user. Data collection activity can also include the first user re-sharing product information received from a third user. To allocate at least one unit of a reward, the platform adds units of the reward to the first user's account. Meanwhile, the first user can also request to redeem units of the reward, in which case the platform subtracts units of the reward from the first user's account.

Abstract: A handcart includes a cart frame, a caster, and a code reader. The cart frame includes a receiving portion on which a shopping basket is placeable and a lateral portion extending in a width direction of the cart frame. The caster is disposed at a bottom region of the cart frame. The code reader is attached to the lateral portion of the cart frame so as to be rotatable around the lateral portion. The code reader may be rotated around the lateral portion of the cart frame to a first position at which a reading window of the code reader faces an inner space of the shopping basket on the receiving portion of the cart frame, and to a second position at which the reading window of the code reader faces a front of the cart frame.

Abstract: Techniques for retail location-aware services are provided. A consumer defines parameters in which it is acceptable to the consumer to receive an offer for a good or service. When the parameters are achievable for an enterprise and when the consumer is in a configured proximity to the desired good or service, the mobile device of the consumer is notified of the offer.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and systems for initiating shipment of a connected shipment/item via a computing entity. The computing entity detects the presence of a shipment/item within a communication range of the computing entity based on received wireless communications, and initializes executable instructions upon detection of the electronically connected shipment/item to initiate shipment of the shipment/item. The executable instructions cause the computing entity to store a shipment identifier for the shipment/item, request and store shipment information/data from a user for the shipment/item, and transmit the stored shipment/item information/data and the stored shipment identifier to a carrier computing entity to generate a shipment profile for the shipment/item.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting self-diagnostic test instructions in the form of audiovisual messages. The system and method include collecting by a user of a testing device a biologic sample for use with a testing device, assigning correlative values as test results, and receiving the test results at a server disposed on a network. Some aspects of the system and method present test instructions to the user in the form of audiovisual messages. The audiovisual messages are provided to the user as a response to an interaction with a retail diagnostic product. In some aspects, the complete audiovisual message is presented before the user may complete a self-diagnostic test.

Abstract: A bioptic scanner optical arrangement with a single sensor split four ways is disclosed herein. An example bioptic scanner optical arrangement includes a housing, an imaging assembly having a primary FOV, a decode module, a generally horizontal window supported by the housing, a generally upright window supported by the housing, and a mirror arrangement positioned within the interior region. The mirror arrangement is configured to divide the primary FOV into a plurality of subfields, to redirect at least two of the plurality of subfields through the generally horizontal window, and to redirect at least another two of the plurality of subfields through the generally upright window. The bioptic barcode reader has no other imaging assembly communicatively coupled to the decode module and used to process images for decoding indicia.

Abstract: A method for providing incentives based on geolocation of mobile devices. The method includes storing, by a server, data including merchant information of merchants and points of interest, and associated incentive information. The method includes determining, based on communication with user's device of a user, a first location of the mobile device. The method includes determining, based on the first location, a first subset of merchants and associated first subset of incentives. The method includes communicating merchant data, including information on the first subsets of merchants and incentives, to the mobile device. The method includes communicating to the mobile device, in response to a determination that the mobile device is inside a geofence associated with at least one of the first subset of merchants, additional information on the at least one of the first subset of merchants, the additional information comprising one or more related incentives.

Abstract: An advertisement, including a description of a promotion and a link, are included in a shipment of a sales item to a buyer from an online shopping site. The promotion is crafted to entice the buyer to respond to the link and trigger a further shopping opportunity based on the initial purchase. Upon responding to the link, the buyer is presented with a further promotion that includes the most recent consideration of buying incentives which are based on knowledge of selling considerations such as inventory and the marketplace that a seller may use to generate enticing content in the promotion. The seller may also take advantage of knowledge about the shopping and purchasing history of the buyer at the online shopping site in tailoring the promotion.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying price and product information displayed on tags for products on a shelf in a retail store. A retailer management server stores data relating to products including stored prices for the products and planogram information, for example. A hand-held portable terminal is configured to communicate with the server and verify data on a shelf tag. The terminal includes a scanner for scanning barcodes/UPCs/GTINs on a shelf tag associated with a product of a manufacturer, as well as the barcode on the product. The system processes and compares the scanned information of the shelf tag, including price information and optionally location data, with stored information for the product as obtained from the server, and issues an alarm (sound or vibration) from the hand-held device if the compared data is incorrect or inconsistent (i.e., not the same).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a biometric authentication system. In one aspect, a method includes broadcasting, through a transceiver, a signal that includes a kiosk identifier; receiving, from a server system, a reference image of the user based on a mobile computing device associated with the user having received the signal and providing the kiosk identifier to the server system; capturing, with a camera, an image of the user; and authenticating the user based on a comparison of the captured image of the user to the reference image of the user based on a comparison of the captured image of the user to the reference image of the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a centralized customer order processing system. A customer order entry may be received by a central server. The customer order entry may be routed to a local store server at an identified store location. Upon arrival at the identified store location, a mobile device of the customer may detect a proximity signal located at the identified store location, and a mobile application may be invoked on the mobile device. An order activation signal may be transmitted to a server, the order activation signal indicating customer arrival at the identified store location. The customer order entry may be activated at the local store server. The customer may arrive at the identified store location and pick up their order. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for implementing the centralized customer order processing system on a mobile device.

Abstract: A method for Simultaneously in one-step filling a Virtual Shopping Cart with many items from one or multiple resources at one time; all items of any type from all potential resources are embodied into a Customized List of All Items, which has been Simultaneously generated and sourced from all potential resources in one-step and then presented visually to the User in a unique format from which the User selects specific designated, approved and desired items, with distinction to the source, type or characteristics of those items; resulting in a Simultaneous one-step of moving all of the selected items into a single Virtual or Online Shopping Cart for purchase or acquisition; ordered and/or ordered and paid for then allocated for acquisition and fulfillment of all items Simultaneously from as many sources as necessary.

Abstract: A terminal includes an item scanner. The item scanner determines whether an item that passes within a field of view of the scanner during a transaction has a properly noted barcode recorded for the transaction. When the item fails to have a properly noted barcode an alert is raised in real time for assistance and/or investigation of the transaction.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method performed by data processing apparatuses includes receiving map data that identifies a layout of physical objects within a physical area, identifying contiguous groups of the physical objects as composite objects, selecting bounding algorithms to use for generating graphical shapes for the composite objects, generating graphical shapes by applying the selected bounding algorithms to the composite objects, and testing the graphical shapes against one or more criteria. For candidate graphical shapes that fail a test, a new bounding algorithm can be selected and the generating and the testing can be repeated using the new bounding algorithm. A simplified graphical map can be output that represents the physical objects within the physical area using the graphical shapes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are involved with but are not limited to an apparatus including an accessory coupling system to couple at least one accessory to at least one computing device case portion wherein the accessory coupling system includes at least one connection portion being affixed with the computing device case portion; and an engagement component, which includes at least one engagement projection being couplable with the at least one connection portion affixed with the computing device case portion. In addition, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for color coordination for scanned products are provided. A kiosk has a control module, an input device, a display device, and an optical code reader. The kiosk has access to a product/color database. The control module is configured to receive an identification code scanned by the optical code reader, determine a sample product associated with the identification code, determine at least one coordinating color for the sample product based on the product/color database, display a simulated environment including a sample room having at least one selectable surface, display on the display device the at least one coordinating color, receive with the input device a selected color, receive with the input device a selected surface from the sample room, display on the display device the simulated environment showing the sample room with the sample product and with the selected color on the selected surface of the sample room.

Abstract: A merchandising system having a power distribution device associated with a package support system, and a package having a sensory output such as an image display capable of using power, data and/or signals provided from the power distribution device to produce a desired output when the package is associated with the package support system. Packaging materials of the package form the coupling medium for contactless coupling such as capacitive coupling of a controlled signal provided to the package support system to a display on the package.

Abstract: A settlement apparatus includes shielding walls, a shielding door configured to, when closed, enclose an electromagnetic shielding space with the shielding walls for isolating signals inside and outside the electromagnetic shielding space, a reader configured to acquire data in an electronic tag in the electromagnetic shielding space, and a controller configured to control opening or closing of the shielding door, control the reader to acquire data, and settle according to the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a radio frequency identifier (RFID) system are provided. The methods include transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal, by an RFID interrogator with multiple antennas. The methods include receiving a superimposed received signal. The superimposed received signal includes replies from a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag that are overlapping in time. The methods also include separating the replies from the first RFID tag and second RFID tag though spatial processing of the superimposed received signal.

Abstract: A method for providing location-based notifications on mobile devices is discussed. The method includes determining a first location of user's mobile device based on IP address, GPS signals, Wi-Fi signals, or cellular signals. The method includes accessing data, received by the mobile device responsive to communicating the first location to a server, indicating merchants in an area proximate to the first location. The method includes determining a second location of the mobile device based on other IP address, GPS signals, Wi-Fi signals, and/or cellular signals. The method includes communicating with the server to determine, based on the second location, that the mobile device has crossed into a geofence that includes at least one of the merchants. The method includes effecting, responsive to a determination that the mobile device crossed into the first geofence, a notification on the mobile device indicating at least one of the merchants at the geofence.

Abstract: A checkout apparatus for barcodeless merchandise, the checkout apparatus includes an image camera module and a control module coupled to the image camera module. The image camera module obtains a merchandise image includes the barcodeless merchandise. The control module receives the merchandise image and generates an output datum according to a result of a merchandise identification program after the control module performs the merchandise identification program on the merchandise image. At least one of the image camera module and the control module is coupled to the point of sales (POS) management system or is embedded in the POS management system, the output datum is readable for the POS management system.

Abstract: A settlement apparatus includes shielding walls, a shielding door configured to, when closed, enclose an electromagnetic shielding space with the shielding walls for isolating signals inside and outside the electromagnetic shielding space, a reader configured to acquire data in an electronic tag in the electromagnetic shielding space, and a controller configured to control opening or closing of the shielding door, control the reader to acquire data, and settle according to the data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

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: A digital scale for optimizing coffee brewing, and pour-over brewing in particular, is provided. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a scale configured to determine the target amount of water to add based on any amount of coffee grounds used, compare an actual pour rate to a target pour rate when adding the target amount of water over a specific target pour time, and clearly communicate the same to the user.

Abstract: A pharmacy kit is managed by defining multiple rules for determining whether a segment of a pharmacy kit is satisfactorily stocked, selecting at least one rule among the multiple rules according to a kit stocking contingency, an prompting a user to stock the segment of the pharmacy kit according to the selected at least one rule.

Abstract: Within the field of advertising, multi-touch attribution (MTA) is the process of assigning credit at a unique identifier level to marketing activities for their contribution towards driving a desired marketing result. This invention discloses a data-driven attribution solution and optimization process for improving marketing return on investment by enabling greater speed and agility in responding to continually changing media performance. Specifically, this invention details a survival analysis based approach to attribution using parametric accelerated failure time (AFT) modeling which accommodates both the right-censored discrete time events and is well suited for media data.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, systems and methods for automatic location based discovery of variations of displayed items in a store are presented. In some embodiments, a beacon ID associated with a beacon device located at a store is received. In other embodiments, at least one product identifier associated with the beacon ID and representing one or more of store displayed items available for sale by the store is determined. In further embodiments, product variations of the one or more store displayed items available for sale by the store are identified associated with the at least one product identifier. In another embodiment, display information representing the product variations of the one or more store displayed items available for sale by the store is provided.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. A promotion product filter can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The promotion product filter can include promotions from a plurality of programs. SNAP and Enhanced SNAP benefits can be provided along with the discount benefits.

Abstract: A method of ESL driver circuit includes: receiving third-color data and black/white data transmitted from a host circuit via specific communication protocol in a first transmission mode of specific communication protocol; receiving only the third-color data transmitted from the host circuit via the specific communication protocol in a second transmission mode of specific communication protocol; using third-color data buffer to receive and buffer the third-color data transmitted from the host circuit; using black/white data buffer to receive and buffer the black/white data transmitted from the host circuit in the first transmission mode of specific communication protocol; and detecting content of the third-color data buffered in the third-color data buffer to determine whether to output data stored in the black/white data buffer as a set of black/white data outputted to ESL panel or to refill a sequence of don't-care data as the set of black/white data outputted to ESL panel.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a transaction may include generating, via a token server computer, a token for use by a first entity computer, wherein the token is generated in response to a request received from the first entity computer. The method may also include transmitting, via the token server computer, the token to the first entity computer, wherein the first entity computer transmits the token to a second entity computer. The method may also include receiving, at the token server computer and from the first entity computer, data indicative of the second entity computer successfully receiving the token. The data may include a hashed value derived from at least the token, data indicative of an identity of the second entity computer, and writing, by the token server computer, the data indicative of the second entity computer successfully receiving the token to a registry.

Abstract: An example operation may include one or more of an authentication system determining authentication rules, the authentication system determining scan properties, the authentication system operating a scanning device to capture scan data for a physical object based on the scan properties and the authentication rules, the authentication system generating a data block based on the scan data and the scan properties, and the authentication system transmitting the data block to a decentralized database.

Abstract: A barcode recognition apparatus and a barcode recognition method. The barcode recognition method includes receiving, from a sensor, a triggering message indicating that a product enters, setting a camera focus on the basis of a barcode in an image of the product obtained using a camera upon receiving the triggering message, obtaining a product image according to the set camera focus, performing preprocessing for extracting a barcode region on the product image, extracting the barcode region from the preprocessed image, and deriving barcode information from the extracted barcode region.

Abstract: A method for processing transactions receives from a customer, at a merchant computer system, customer account identification information, and customer identification information. The method includes encrypting, at the merchant computer system, transaction data corresponding to a transaction between a merchant and the customer. The transaction data is encrypted with an encryption key generated from the customer identification information. The method transmits, from the merchant computer system to a financial institution, the customer account identification information, and the encrypted transaction data. The method receives, at the merchant computer system from the financial institution, a notification indicating whether to proceed with the transaction based on whether the encrypted transaction data was successfully decrypted with a decryption key generated from account holder identification information derived from the customer account identification information.