Abstract: A method for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the use of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location is described. Individual and package transportation may be provided. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices.

Abstract: A shelf code in a machine readable format, such as on a QR code on a printed card, is provided where bulk merchandise displayed in a bin. When the bin is stocked from a case bearing a case code, the case code is associated with the shelf code. Lot-specific and lot-independent information previously associated with the case code is then linked to the shelf code. Consumers scan the shelf code with a mobile device to establish a communication channel to access the linked information. Retailers and producers use the channel to reach the consumer, and to solicit feedback from the consumer at a known time and location. A mobile device can also be used to associate quality assessments of merchandise to the shelf code. Analysis of consumer ratings and quality inspection assessments that are tied to time and location can provide valuable insights to both producers and retailers.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for tracking differential changes in conformal data input sets. A database can store sets of operational data, such as financial, medical, climate or other information. For given data, a portion of the input data can be known or predetermined, while for a second portion can be unknown and subject to interpolation. The interpolation engine can generate a conformal interpolation function and interpolated input sets that map to a set of target output data. The operator can access a view of known (or interpolated) input data to view one or more series of interpolated input data, and analyze the differential between those interpolated values. The operator can for instance apply a constraint or filter to view only those interpolated series whose maximum marginal difference for any variable is less that a given threshold, such as ten percent, and graphically navigate between different series.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a POS terminal apparatus comprises a first interface and a control section. The first interface receives image data obtained by capturing a commodity purchased by a customer. The control section extracts a commodity belonging to a first group from a plurality of pre-registered commodities, compares feature amount of each commodity in the first group with that of an object in the image data, and compares, if a commodity corresponding to the object in the image data is not in the first group, feature amount of a commodity not belonging to the first group with that of the object.

Abstract: Method, device, and storage medium that provides a briefing service. The briefing service includes a self-discovery mode and a suggestion box. The self-discovery mode allows a user to obtain information about a product or a thing based on an image capture of a Quick Response code. The Quick Response code is decoded and a parameter is extracted and used to generate a uniform resource identifier. The suggestion box allows a user to submit a suggestion regarding a briefing. The self-discovery mode and the suggestion box are provided to a user based on a briefing software that includes user interfaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for allowing a customer to create a digital shopping cart on a mobile electronic device while shopping at a brick and mortar store. The customer may scan barcodes, e.g. UPC variants, from a product with the camera of the mobile electronic device and record these product barcodes into the mobile electronic device. The shopping cart contents may be transferred to a checkout register without a data connection between the register and the device. The mobile electronic device may create one or more 2D barcodes with the item information embedded into the 2D barcode and may display the barcode on the device screen. Multiple 2D barcodes may be displayed in sequence. The 2D barcode may be scanned at the checkout register to read the barcode and thereby transmit the shopping cart information to the checkout register.

Abstract: A computer system including a service provider server invokes an evaluation service that causes a metric application to obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of at least one item identified in a product specification data set and/or a price data set. Each market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular time or period of time. At least one adjustment value is generated and applied to the market reference price data associated with the at least one item in one or more of the market transaction data sets, transforming the market reference price data and producing normalized market reference price data sets. A synthetic market value is generated for the at least one item in the product specification data set and/or the price data set, and one or more evaluation metrics generated therefrom are communicated via a network interface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing and managing electronic event tickets are provided. For example, a device for managing an electronic event ticket may include a processor configured to run an electronic ticket management application, a memory device configured to store data associated with the electronic ticket management application, an electronic display configured to display at least a portion of the data associated with the electronic ticket management application, and an input/output interface configured to receive an electronic ticket and the data associated with the electronic ticket for management by the electronic ticket management application. The electronic ticket management application may be configured to enable the electronic device to gain entry to an event and to obtain at least one other event-related benefit after the electronic ticket is received by the input/output interface.

Abstract: A system is described that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers. Processing occurs in a cycle where at a single prompt, a transaction is identified as a sale or a non-monetary transfer. A good that is the subject of the transaction is also identified. The good, and either a sales price or cost price, depending on whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer, respectively, is displayed. A record of the transaction, including whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer and the sales price or cost price, respectively, is created and stored. An inventory count record is adjusted to reflect an adjustment to inventory based on the occurrence of the transaction. The system that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers may include multiple devices in a server/client architecture or may include a single device. A corresponding method and storage medium are also described.

Abstract: A merchandising unit has a merchandise support unit supporting items for sale and an electronic sign. The electronic sign displays a price for correctly stocked items on the merchandise support unit, detects incorrectly stocked items on the merchandise support unit, retrieves a price for the incorrectly stocked items, and alters display information so that the price for the correctly stocked items and the price for the incorrectly stocked items are displayed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process is described and includes employing a hand-held communications device to generate a list reflecting contents of a shopping cart. This includes scanning a QR code provided at a point of sale and transmitting the list reflecting contents of the shopping cart to a server. The server communicates the contents of the shopping cart to the point of sale. A bill of sale corresponding to the list reflecting the contents of the shopping cart is generated at the point of sale. A payment is tendered to complete the sale at the point of sale.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label system is provided. There is provided a method in which an electronic shelf label periodically transmits its remaining battery capacity to a server in a electronic shelf label system according to the present invention, and the server converts the battery level into a remaining battery life (time) and provides the same, so that a manager can check the remaining battery life in a management mode of the server and a terminal, and easily manage an electronic shelf label using a battery.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking and calculating achievement-based compensation for a print service provider. The method includes determining one or more print services associated with a print job to be completed, receiving information indicating at least one of the one or more print services has been completed by a worker, updating a job ticket associated with the job to be completed to indicate that at least one of the one or more print services has been completed, and determining a compensation level for the worker based upon a rate of compensation associated with the one or more completed print services. The system includes various computer system for implementing the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit.

Abstract: A device includes a display unit, a display control unit configured to display a screen on the display unit according to display data, an execution unit configured to cause the device to perform a process corresponding to a script included in the display data, and a storing unit configured to store information indicating whether the script is charged for. The execution unit is configured to determine whether the script is charged for by referring to the information stored in the storing unit, and update charging information for the process performed by the device if the script is charged for.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided, in a data processing system, for retrieving and utilizing item information to perform a transaction. The mechanisms receive an identification of an item present in a detection field of the item identification system. A determination is made as to whether valid item information for the item is present in a cache of the data processing system in response to detecting the item as being present in the detection field of the item identification system. If valid item information is present in the cache, the valid item information is retrieved from the cache. If valid item information is not present in the cache, the valid item information is retrieved from a remotely located cloud computing system. The transaction is performed based on the valid item information.

Abstract: A system for controlling outdoor price signs for fuel products includes a control center. The control center determines a price for a fuel product for a number of fuel stores. The control center receives a variety of data that may have an impact on fuel prices, including competitive data from a neighborhood store. The control center has a number pricing formulas and applies a selected formula to set a fuel price at one of the fuel stores. The price is sent to a store controller. The store controller passes the fuel price information to a point of sale device that updates a pump price and an outdoor controllable sign. The sign includes feedback that it not only received the correct price but that it correctly displays the price and the price is legible.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a commodity sales data processing apparatus comprises a stationary type docking station, and a portable information terminal which can be attached to and detached from the docking station freely. The information terminal reads the data attached to a commodity, registers the read data, displays the registration content, and executes, if the information terminal is attached to the docking station, a checkout processing of calculating a checkout amount based on the registration content.

Abstract: A system and method for payment is provided. According to the method for payment, a mobile terminal carried by a customer reads goods for purchase and calculates an amount due for the read goods. Accordingly, customers can save a waiting time for payment and merchants can reduce operating costs.

Abstract: A method of Demand Response (DR) utilizing a Load Control Transponder (LCT) installed at the location of an electricity consumer. A DR program, in conjunction with the LCT, allows a consumer to determine, in advance, when they will reduce their demand on an electricity supply system. The consumer is informed of price points at which the cost of energy increases due to overall demand. The consumer then determines if, and when, they will reduce their demand on the system when a price point is reached. In addition, when an unplanned, critical event occurs, the method enables the utility to bypass any intermediate consumer established settings and immediately and directly drop the level of energy consumption to the consumer's lowest selected level for continuing service thereby to shed sufficient load on the system to maintain an adequate level of electricity supply. Once the event has been resolved, the method enables the utility to restore the consumer's previous level of usage.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for processing multiple items for retail sale via a single retailer action. Upon scanning a machine-readable marking that is associated with multiple items provided by various vendors, a marking identifier associated with the machine-readable marking is recognized. The marking identifier corresponds with each price of the multiple items. Each price of the multiple items is presented to a consumer for payment that can be disbursed to the appropriate vendors.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing transactions in which an order is specified online and payment is received at a point of sale (POS). Methods are disclosed for managing payment for such transactions at a POS, including transactions involving payment for both in-store purchases and online orders. Methods are also disclosed for managing inventory and price changes for such transactions where payment can occur at any time in a pay period following order creation. Also disclosed are methods for processing refunds for online orders for which payment was made at a POS. Finally, methods for preventing fraud and abuse as well as restricting the availability of this payment method for certain items are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conducting a purchase transaction using a wireless communication device, includes: receiving from a mobile application module executing on a wireless communication device instructions to initiate a purchase transaction by a server application; verifying and authorizing the mobile application module by the server application; receiving from the mobile application module identification information about an item to be purchased to the server application; retrieving via the server application at least one of price and product information based on the identification information; and completing the purchase transaction by automatically electronically debiting a user account.

Abstract: Gene Expression Browser is developed for scientists to easily search and visualize the gene expression profiles from large amount of microarray expression data. Web 2.0 technology, full-text searching and server caching are applied to the software application so that large amount data are retrieved very fast from server and are displayed in both clear and comprehensive web user interface. Statistic analysis is hidden from users in the software application. Therefore, the software application is simple to operate and the results are easy to explain. Scientists can easily use the software application without having deep understanding on statistics and data analysis. Gene Expression Browser is the first search and visualization tool for mining large scale and complex microarray data. It might be an alternative to existing complex, slow and expensive microarray data analysis tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic quantity purchasing system which is a host computer that a user may access to purchase quantities of goods or services at a locked-in price for later redemption. The preferred communication means employed is via secure, high-speed Internet access. Data storage is electronic. Users employ the system to make an instant purchase of a small or large quantity of a commodity, such as gasoline at the current purchase price. Users can redeem all or part of their balance for real product at a physical location in the future when desired. The redemption will draw down the user's account balance at the locked-in purchase price, so the user is able to circumvent the market price in effect at the time of redemption.

Abstract: A secure online banking transaction apparatus to communicate with a server over a non-secure connection is provided and includes a selector configured to allow for a selection of a mode of the apparatus, a processing unit coupled to the selector and including a secure communication unit, which is configured to set up a secure connection, along which a secure transaction occurs, with the server via the non-secure connection in accordance with the mode, an input unit coupled to the processing unit and configured to allow for a input of data into the apparatus, which is at least partly related to the secure transaction, and an interface coupled to the processing unit and configured to convey at least a status of the secure transaction and the contents off the inputted data.

Abstract: Techniques for transaction quantity control are provided. A transaction having multiple purchases for a same item type and having an adjustment in price is identified. An analysis on an adjustment condition results in dynamic splitting a line entry for the item into multiple sets, each set reflect a different aspect of the adjustment condition and a quantity identifier; and the sets together completely representing the adjustment condition.

Abstract: A method for developing and applying market data scenarios may include receiving market data by a record and replay daemon executing on a computer system; storing the received market data in a storage device; replaying the stored market data; changing the stored market data with respect to at least one asset by applying in an automated manner a contrived market activity scenario selected from a plurality of different scenarios stored on the computer system, whereby performance of at least one specific asset is changed to a contrived performance to simulate market activity desired by a user to create a contrived market activity scenario; and transmitting the contrived market activity scenario to a client application, which is able to process the contrived market activity scenario as if it were market data transmitted directly from the market data distribution platform.

Abstract: In a method of processing customer applications at an event, an application is received from a customer on a customer interface computer. The data in said application is verified on the customer interface computer and encrypted. The encrypted data is transmitted wirelessly to a portal computer via a private wireless network, and then transmitted to a processing computer system for approval of the application.

Abstract: Methods and devices allow a handheld order unit to be used with a cash handling device. A handheld order unit may be used by a staff person to enter order information, to display an amount due for the meal or other transaction, to facilitate payment, to print receipts, and to communicate information about the transaction to a cash handling device. The cash handling device may identify the handheld order unit and the assigned user for the unit and determine what financial documents need to be inserted by the user for reconciliation purposes.

Abstract: Textual transcription of speech is generated and formatted according to user-specified transformation and behavior requirements for a speech recognition system having input grammars and transformations. An apparatus may include a speech recognition platform configured to receive a user-specified transformation requirement, recognize speech in speech data into recognized speech according to a set of recognition grammars; and apply transformations to the recognized speech according to the user-specified transformation requirement. The apparatus may further be configured to receive a user-specified behavior requirement and transform the recognized speech according to the behavior requirement. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a printed label and a display shelf for a business establishment, including a display shelf having a length and at least one area on which at least one product is to be placed. The area has a length and a depth. The label includes product information printed thereon for identifying the at least one product for display on the shelf, and first and second space indicators for indicating a position, corresponding to a portion of the length of the shelf, at which the at least one product is to be placed. The label is constructed and arranged to have a predetermined length that is coextensive with the portion of the length of the area of the shelf on which the at least one product is to be placed. The first and second space indicators define the predetermined length. The first space indicator indicates where the portion of the length of the area of the shelf begins and the second space indicator indicates where the portion of the length of the area of the shelf ends.

Abstract: Methods and computer storage media provide for evaluating the market value of items. A product specification data set identifies an item defined by two or more parameters, or items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter. For at least one item, transaction data sets that include previously-exposed transaction data between buyers and sellers are obtained. The transaction data represents market reference price data of a particular period of time. The market reference price data is adapted by applying one or more pre-defined rules, variables, or criteria operably associated with the item, a parameter of the item, and/or the one or more databases, to the market reference price data, transforming the transaction data sets into normalized market price data sets that are used to calculate a market value for the item, and communicate the market value to an output. In additional embodiments, price data sets are received and evaluated.

Abstract: An order class is defined which includes multiple data elements that are common to various order types. The order class identifies relationships of an order with various entities related to the order.

Abstract: A novel price paid database, method, system, and computer program product in which checkout items are scanned at a plurality of stores, and a checkout computer identifies the purchased items. The checkout computer determines a price paid for each purchased item. A central computer records in a price-paid database an item identification and price-paid for each purchased items. The central computer publishes the price-paid database. The checkout computer recurrently updates the price-paid database in the central computer with the price paid for each purchased item, the customer identification (if available), the store identification, and a list price for each purchased item.

Abstract: A method of updating item information of a specific site on an information providing site is provided. The method includes displaying the specific item information of the specific site, receiving user input for selecting one item among the displayed specific items, and when the selected item information displayed on the information providing site is not the same as the information about the selected item provided on the specific site, updating the selected item information into the information provided on the specific site and displaying the updated information.

Abstract: A method to purchase a product by a user in a retail store. The method steps include obtaining a reference of the retail store using a mobile device of the user, accessing a product database for the retail store based on the reference of the retail store, obtaining, in the retail store, a product identifier of the product using the mobile device, retrieving product information from the product database based on the product identifier, and displaying the product information on the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for collecting information as authorized by information providers and sharing the information with information recipients according to criteria specified by the information providers. Information is collected from one or more of a variety of sources and stored in a provider profile, with the provider profile also specifying criteria for sharing the information, including payment required for sharing the information with particular categories of recipients. An exchange system is maintained allowing recipients to request or to otherwise specify needs for particular categories of information and payments to be provided by the information, and needs or requests of recipients for information are matched with criteria specified by providers, with information being transferred or used to provide results for a recipient and payment being transferred from the recipient to a provider or providers when a match between information needs and criteria for sharing information is identified.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for processing multiple items for retail sale via a single retailer action. Upon scanning a machine-readable marking that is associated with multiple items provided by various vendors, a marking identifier associated with the machine-readable marking is recognized. The marking identifier corresponds with each price of the multiple items. Each price of the multiple items is presented to a consumer for payment that can be disbursed to the appropriate vendors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for defining financial transaction components; defining mapping rules for taking individual financial transactions and breaking them down into their components, such as production services, billing services and settlement services. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a transaction instance corresponding to a financial transaction, creates a production service instance linked to the transaction instance by a first relation instance, and creates a billing service instance linked to the production service instance by a second relation instance. The data processing system, may also create other production service instances linked to the transaction instance using other relation instances, as well as, other billing service instances linked to the production service instances.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for correlating the cost of ordered telecommunications services. The system receives a customer order that includes various services. The services are matched to available solutions for the services. Each solution includes one or more product instances that are used to implement the solution. Each product instance may be matched to a service component. Each service component may be associated with an on-net service or an off-net service. Service components associated with on-net services may be assigned a cost. Service components associated with off-net services may be correlated to an off-net service and an estimated cost.

Abstract: Distribution of electronic documents is described, including receiving an electronic document to be distributed, identifying whether a destination identifier is associated with a destination account among a known group of customer accounts, routing the electronic document, and calculating a fee associated with delivery of the electronic document based on whether the destination account is among the known group of customers and a set of billing rules. The set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to each of a known group of customer accounts. In other aspects, the set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to a first group of the known group of customer accounts and specify a standard fee for a second group of the known group of customer accounts.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an approach is provided in which a product request is received that corresponds to a point-of-sale (POS) device, which is located at a merchant facility. In addition to identifying a product location corresponding to the product, an employee location of an employee in proximity to the product location is also identified. In turn, an electronic message is sent to the employee's mobile device that includes a request to transport the product from the product location to the POS device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes a commodity-information reading unit, a commodity-information output unit, a benefit-information reading unit, and a benefit-information output unit. The commodity-information reading unit reads commodity information from a code symbol attached to a commodity. The commodity-information output unit outputs the commodity information read by the commodity-information reading unit. The benefit-information reading unit detects an image of benefit indication from an image imaged by an imaging unit and reads benefit information corresponding to the benefit indication from the detected image. The benefit-information output unit outputs the benefit information read by the benefit-information reading unit.

Abstract: A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user.

Abstract: To disaggregate a single combined price of a bundled product, a computer receives a price data set comprised of component parts that correspond to the component parts of the bundled product. At least one component part differs in accordance with at least one parameter value of another component part. A price for a component part is calculated by obtaining metric data that includes one or more market reference prices responsive to the component part. Using the metric data, a market value is computed for each component part and the computed market values are summed to compute a market value total. A proportional value for at least one component part is generated by dividing the market value of the component part by the market value total. A price for the component part is calculated by multiplying the price data set's single combined price by the component part's proportional value.

Abstract: A method for developing and applying market data scenarios in which market data is received from a market data distribution platform, stored, changed with respect to a specific asset included in the market data, and the altered market data transmitted to a client application that processes the altered market data as if it were transmitted directly from the platform. The system may include a recording module for receiving a stream of market data from the platform, an interface module for specifying changes to the replayed stream to form a stream of altered market data and a client application interface for transmitting a stream of altered market data to a client application. The stream of altered market data mimics the market data stream such that the stream of altered market data can be processed as if it were market data from the market data distribution platform.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for modeling future benefits. According to the method, modeling future benefits begins by defining a growth rate for the good for each time segment of a period of time, where the period of time includes a plurality of time segments. An uncertainty for the good is then determined for each time segment. Next, a benefit distribution is determined for each time segment based upon the growth rate and uncertainty for the respective time segment. Finally, a benefit value is selected for each time segment by randomly selecting each benefit value based upon a respective benefit distribution to thereby model future benefits over the period of time.

Abstract: An automatic sales tax declaration system includes a control center, a point of sale (POS) terminal at a shop, a declaration machine accessible to a customer, and a tax declaration card. The POS terminal and the declaration machine both communicate with the control center via a mobile telecommunication network. When a sale is made, the merchant collects the payment using the POS terminal, which records customer tax information on the tax declaration card and transmits merchant tax information to the control center. Subsequently, the customer uses the tax declaration card and the declaration machine to transmit the customer tax information to the control center. The control center calculates the sales tax based on the customer and merchant tax information. If the control center does not receive merchant tax information corresponding to the customer tax information, it concludes that the merchant may have attempted to conceal sales and evade taxes.

Abstract: A call center for handling requests for medical transportation utilizes a system that assists a call center agent by automatically determining, or prompting the agent to ask for, all information needed to assess the level of service required and the effects of any applicable contractual provisions. The system captures information relating to the patient and the requested transportation, and applies service level rules representing the applicable regulatory requirements for medical transportation at the location of the patient to determine the required level of service based on the patient's condition and needs.