Abstract: An article code reading device optically reads a code symbol on an article, and decodes and outputs an article code. An image pickup image part picks up an image of an area of an article, the code symbol of which is read by the article code reading device, and outputs pickup image data. An article registration is executed by searching an article data file for a corresponding price for the article, and an extraction process extracts an exterior characteristic of an article from the pickup image data outputted by the pickup image part. A consistency is determined between a first data obtained based on the extraction process and a second data obtained based on an output from the article code reading device, and an alarm is generated when it there is not a consistency between the first data and the second data.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn. The geometric characteristic may be captured by one or more scanners, for example one or more laser scanners. The geometric characteristic may, for example be a measurement of thicknesses, widths and/or wane dimensions.

Abstract: Techniques for guideline-based food purchase management are provided. The techniques include generating a personalized set of nutrition guidelines for a user, generating a user profile for the user, wherein the user profile comprises health information and nutrition preferences, and using the personalized set of nutrition guidelines and the user profile to generate a guideline-based shopping list for the user. Techniques for generating location-based food purchase guidance are also provided. The techniques include obtaining a shopping list of food items and a list of stores to be considered in connection with the food items on the shopping list, using the shopping list, list of stores, a store location map and inter-store routing guidance to generate an inter-store shopping route, and generating an in-store shopping route, for each of the stores in the inter-store shopping route, based on the shopping list, intra-store routing guidance and a floor plan for the store.

Abstract: Systems and method for communication of transaction data within a self-checkout environment are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes controlling a display device to display a machine-readable representation of transaction data. The method may include receiving a signal that indicates acknowledgement of reading of the machine-readable representation of the transaction data. Further, the method may include controlling the display device to display a machine-readable representation of other transaction data in response to receipt of the signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and system for matching buyers and sellers of either goods or services, or goods and services for a project. The invention enables a buyer to specify a project in terms of physical, functional, temporal, financial, and transactional parameters that can be automatically converted, by the present invention, into at least one request for either goods or services, or goods and services to perform work related to the project. The requests are suitably provided to at least one seller. Upon receiving a request, the seller may submit a response to the request, as desired. The invention provides a forum for the negotiation of any agreements and the formation of contracts to provide the requested, or alternative goods or services, or goods and services, as well as reconciliation of purchase orders, actual field costs, and invoices.

Abstract: A point of sale device for use with a shopping cart, the shopping cart having a basket for holding products, the basket having a bottom, and an upstanding sidewall extending from said bottom and defining open top. The point of sale device has a product detector for monitoring and validating the products in the basket, a control unit communicating with the product detector, the control unit having a user interface with a display screen, and an information detector communicating with the control unit for detecting product information and sending the product information to the control unit. The control unit communicates with the store's accounting/inventory system and has a calculator which calculates the cost of the products in the basket of the shopping cart using the product information and displays at least the cost of the products on the display screen.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a recommendation for packing an item at a point of sale (POS). A preference indicating a maximum bag weight is received at a POS device. The weight of a next item to be packed is determined. Based on the maximum bag weight preference and based on the determined weight of the item, the recommendation for packing the item is determined by selecting a bag from multiple bags that are available to pack items to be purchased by a customer. The bag is selected so that a sum of the weight of the item and a weight of zero or more other items already packed in the bag does not exceed the maximum bag weight preference. The recommendation for packing the item in the selected bag is presented to a user.

Abstract: A method for using electronic product identification devices to track product sales and enable sales transactions to be registered in an electronic registration (ER) system without causing privacy or security concerns for the purchasers. RF-ID devices are placed on products being sold and include detailed information about the products. When the products are purchased, the detailed information is loaded into an ER database and all but a limited amount of information is removed from the RF-ID device. The limited information is sufficient to enable the detailed information to be located in the ER database by authorized individuals in connection with a return transaction or the like.

Abstract: A point-of-sale self-checkout terminal includes a code reader device for automated entry of a product identification code present on items for purchase and a customer input device for receipt of data from a customer. A customer can initiate a purchase of a non-scannable item and, in response, a database is queried to identify items based on a prediction of purchase of the items, and the identified items are displayed for selection by the customer to purchase the item. Image processing and voice processing, can also be implemented to assist customers with the purchase of non-scannable items.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to cashless transactions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods (100) for conducting cashless transactions and systems (400, 500) for implementing said methods. In a first aspect there is provided a method (100) of processing a cashless transaction. The method includes, determining (102) a first identification from a first identification device (426); pre-authorising (104) the cashless transaction on the basis of first identification; determining (106) a second identification from a second identification device (420A); and in the event that the first identification and the second identification are associated, authorising (110) the cashless transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for estimating, refining, and using the tare mass for an item to determine and monitor item depletion. In response to detecting an initial presence of an item in the storage unit, a controller collects data about the item. The controller then searches a database for a recorded item containing the same item identification. The tare mass of the item is set equal to the refined tare mass of the recorded item retrieved from the database. The tare mass is then used to calculate a depletion threshold for the item.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the retrieval of object-associated information may include identifying data associated with an object identification. At least one optimization parameter for the retrieval of data associated with an object identification is also identified. An amount of the associated data for transmission is determined using the at least one optimization parameter.

Abstract: A system, including apparatuses and methods, for paper production and distribution in a communication network environment with multi-party and multi-level production and distribution relationships. The system receives, from one or more communicatively connected paper purchaser computers, parameters representative of the total surface area and physical characteristics of paper products required for printing tasks. The system determines an estimated quantity of the paper products to order based at least in part on the received parameters. Then, the system displays the estimated quantity of the paper to order and communicates orders to production facilities for obtaining such quantity.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a commodity carrier includes a container, an acquisition unit, a determination unit, a first display, a second display and a control unit. The container holds one or more commodities. The acquisition unit acquires an identification information of each of the one or more commodities held in the container. The determination unit determines completion of the settlement about all commodity identified by the one or more identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. The first display displays a notice information for the customer purchasing the one or more commodities held in the container. The second display enables to see in a range wider than a visual range within which the information displayed on the first display is recognized. The control unit controls the second display to display whether or not the determination in which the settlement is completed is performed by the determination unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for detecting products, comprising a plurality of portable reading devices, wherein each customer can be assigned at least one portable reading device by means of which identification data about the products to be purchased by the respective customer in a sales room can be detected irrespective of location, and wherein the portable reading device has a control unit and a memory for buffering the identification data.

Abstract: Custom food product methods and apparatus are provided that allow customers to participate in the preparation of food products as a part of the dining experience. A method of preparing a custom food product under the direction of a customer includes placing a customer-selected substrate on a scale of custom food product preparation table, placing customer-selected ingredients on the substrate in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas, and calculating and displaying the cost of the custom food product to the customer as the customer-selected ingredients are placed on the substrate. Each ingredient is assigned a cost per unit of weight and, as the ingredients are utilized, the cost of the food product is calculated and displayed via a display associated with the table. A customer may be provided with a record of the ingredients of the custom food product and may include an image and/or name of the custom food product.

Abstract: Third party certification using enhanced claim validation, in which identification information uniquely identifying an item that has moved through a node in a supply chain is received and event data associated with the uniquely identified item is received from the node based on receiving the identification information. The process also includes performing a third party validation of an associated characteristic of the uniquely identified item based on the received event data, and providing a third party certification of the associated characteristic based on performing the third party validation.

Abstract: Machine, methods, and computer program encoded on non-transitory memory for facilitating electronic inventory tracking and management of products through messaging over an existing financial services payment network are provided. An example includes an inventory management computer in communication with a merchant POS apparatus or terminal over an existing financial services payment network and configured to receive and process purchase transaction data associated with a product being purchased. The computer can also include, for example, electronic inventory management computer program configured to perform various operations including generating product identifiers, forming product look up tables to correlate the identifiers with the products, and providing inventory data to product providers.

Abstract: A code reading system capable of signaling exception handling procedures for products being handled in a work environment, such as, for example, consumer product being purchased in a retail store or a product or package being sorted by a logistics company. The system includes a system housing containing one or more one or more signal sources for generating distinctive visual and/or audible exception handling signals for special classes of products identified in the environment. Such special products may include: EAS tagged products requiring EAS tag deactivation: alcohol and tobacco products requiring proof of age; controlled products requiring additional customer tracking; age restricted products requiring identification; product purchases requiring personnel to show up and approve or assist in a product transaction; and the like.

Abstract: An article code reading device optically reads a code symbol on to an article and specifies the article, and decodes and outputs an article code. An image pickup image part picks up an image of an area of an article, the code symbol of which is read by the article code reading device, and outputs pickup image data. An article registration is executed by searching an article data file for a corresponding price for the article, and an extraction process extracts an exterior characteristic of an article from a the pickup image data outputted by the pickup image part. A consistency is determined between a first data obtained based on the extraction process and a second data obtained based on an output from the article code reading device, and an alarm is generated when it there is not a consistency between the first data and the second data.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: An item level security system is provided that uses dynamic security settings to optimize the competing requirements for high security and transaction throughput. Customer metrics such as customer traffic volume and the number and type of items purchased change over the course of a day and are further influenced by the day of the week and by holidays and certain vacation schedules for local schools and employers. The invention provides dynamic security settings for the item level security system that address the changing customer metrics.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are presented for implementing a user interface on a self-service or assisted service terminal. The terminal includes a computer, LCD display and touch-screen device. Software implemented by the computer receives input from the touch-screen device to determine complex interactions with the display that are then used to select and/or modify functions and features provided by the terminal.

Abstract: A supply chain network system comprises a site data appliance (SDA) and a Universal Data Appliance Protocol (UDAP) adapter coupled with one or more data source equipments (DSE). The SDA collects specification information comprising event information from the one or more DSE. A server is coupled with the SDA in the supply chain network. In response to the server requesting the specification information, the SDA sends to the server the specification information in a Description Document. A data center (DC) is coupled with the server in the supply chain network. The DC receives the Description Document and maps the event information in the specification information with event handlers. A mapping of the event information with the event handlers is sent from the DC to the server. When an event is generated by the one or more DSE, the map is used to select an appropriate event handler to execute.

Abstract: A method of tagged bar code data interchange includes creating electronic and/or printed documents with tagged bar coded information, capturing and decoding the tagged bar coded information, caching the tagged bar coded information, parsing the bar coded data tags, stripping the data tags, and inputting/storing the bar coded information. Business can be conducted on-line using e-mail transmissions of video displayed tagged bar coded information. Such tagged bar coded information can be stored and/or input into style sheets that are in common or company-specific formats. Further, companies can receive consumer information in a format that is easily accessible by any portion, affiliate, subsidiary, or related entity of the company, no matter what software system is running.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for displaying advertising content on a portable music player. A method, system and program product for displaying advertising content on a portable music player based on content stored therein. The method includes checking in a meta tag for a music file being downloaded whether a URL corresponding to a content file containing advertising content associated with the music file being downloaded is specified therein.

Abstract: In one implementation, products in a shopping cart are provided to a point of sale system. The products are removed from the shopping cart and scanned with a transducer system. A database association system queries a database and determines the likelihood that the scanned products are indicative of products located in a lower support unit of the shopping cart. A notification is displayed on a user interface indicating the possibility of products located in the lower support unit of the shopping cart. A user is then queried as to whether a product was located in the lower support unit and the association system is updated to reflect a revised probability that the scanned products are indicative of products located in a lower support unit of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes a system and method for counting and/or reconciling cash, including currency and/or coin, in a cash drawer or till. The cash drawer may be inserted into a cash handling device and the amount of cash in the drawer may be determined, i.e., using scales to weigh the cash. In some arrangements, the cash may be removed from the cash drawer. In other arrangements, some or all of the cash (i.e., the coin or the currency) may remain in the cash drawer for use in a subsequent shift, workday, etc.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an input unit, a notification unit, a receiving unit, and a registration unit are provided. The input unit inputs commodity information representing a commodity to be registered. The notification unit notifies of the fact that it is possible to input the number of commodities, which are represented by the input commodity information, to be registered in same transaction processing if the commodity represented by the input commodity information is the same as a commodity which was already registered in the same transaction processing. The receiving unit receives the input of the number of commodities, which are represented by the input commodity information, to be registered in the same transaction processing. The registration unit registers the input number of commodities represented by the input commodity information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a store system includes: a reading apparatus including: an image capturing section configured to capture a picked-up image; a code reading section configured to detect a code symbol represented on a commodity included in the captured image and read code information corresponding to the code symbol; and an output section configured to output the read code information; and a sales registration apparatus including: a sales registering section configured to register, referring to commodity registration information, sales of the commodity specified by the output code information; an acquiring section configured to acquire, if information related to the output code information is unregistered in the commodity registration information, an image of the commodity from which the unregistered code information is read; and a provisional registration section configured to provisionally register the image of the commodity in the commodity registration information in association with the unregis

Abstract: Graphical retail item identification including receiving, from a digital camera, an image of a retail item to be identified; decoding, by an image decoding module, the image into one or more image processing tasks; assigning, by a task assignment engine, the one or more image processing tasks to one or more of the POS terminals, the one or more POS terminals characterized as image processing terminals; executing the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, including reporting results of the image processing tasks to an item identification engine; and identifying, by the item identification engine upon completion of the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, the retail item.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a store system includes: an image output section configured to output an image picked up by an image pickup section; an object recognizing section configured to recognize a specific object by reading a feature value of the output image; a registering section configured to perform sales registration, concerning the recognized object, on the basis of a file that stores information related to the object and used for the sales registration; and a check-image display section configured to display an image concerning the object on a display section together with the information related to the sales registration of the object.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a store system includes: an image output section configured to output an image picked up by an image pickup section; an object recognizing section configured to recognize a specific object by reading a feature value of the output image; a registering section configured to perform sales registration, concerning the recognized object, on the basis of a file that stores information concerning the object and used for the sales registration; and a check-image display section configured to set an image concerning the recognized object in a state viewed from a customer side during counter selling and display the image on a display section together with the information related to the sales registration of the object.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a store system includes: an image output section configured to output an image picked up by an image pickup section; an object recognizing section configured to recognize a specific object by reading a feature value of the output image; a check-image display section configured to display, on a display section, at least an image concerning the recognized object; and a problem solving section configured to receive, when there is a problem in the recognition of the object, an instruction indicating the problem and solve the problem according to content of the received instruction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a store system includes: an image output section configured to output an image picked up by an image pickup section; an object recognizing section configured to recognize a specific object by reading a feature value of the output image; a similarity determining section configured to calculate similarity indicating to which degree the recognized object is similar to a reference image of the object determined in advance and determine whether the calculated similarity exceeds a threshold set in advance; and a defective informing section configured to inform, if the similarity determining section determines that the calculated similarity does not exceed the threshold set in advance, that the object is not recognized as a regular commodity.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for assessing information security interviews users regarding technical and non-technical issues. In an embodiment, users are interviewed based on areas of expertise. In an embodiment, information security assessments are performed on domains within an enterprise, the results of which are rolled-up to perform an information security assessment across the enterprise. The invention optionally includes application specific questions and vulnerabilities and/or industry specific questions and vulnerabilities. The invention optionally permits users to query a repository of expert knowledge. The invention optionally provides users with working aids. The invention optionally permits users to execute third party testing/diagnostic applications. The invention, optionally combines results of executed third party testing/diagnostic applications with user responses to interview questions, to assess information security.

Abstract: A method for matching an unknown product to an offered product profile at a point of sale involves obtaining a first sensory input from the unknown product, where the first sensory input comprises at least a portion of an image, assigning a value to one or more characteristics of the first sensory input, searching a first product repository for a matching product profile using a pre-defined range based on the value of the one or more characteristics of the first sensory input, identifying the matching product profile on the first product repository when the offered product profile is within the pre-defined range, wherein the matching product profile includes a plurality of product information data, and conducting a transaction at the point of sale using the plurality of product information data.

Abstract: A fixed amount sales system adopted in a gasoline stand or the like for preventing operation efficiency reduction which is the case due to independent payments of fuel supply charge and option item amount is disclosed. In the fixed amount sales system, in which the amount of gasoline corresponding to balance amount as a difference of the money amounts of items desired to be bought by a customer among option items (or TBA items) from a preliminarily selected fixed amount is sold by weighing, thus making the giving and taking of small amounts of money and changes between the customer and the shop unnecessary. The fixed amount of money and option items as selected by the customer, are displayed on a menu 22 in the POS terminal 20 for selection by a touch operation of electronic buttons or the like.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) data collection system includes a POS data collector that is implemented as a hardware device and/or in software. The collector may be installed at the point of sale in retail stores, for example, between a barcode scanner and the POS application running on a POS terminal (for example, the cash register). When a product is scanned at the point of sale, the collector may intercept the barcode as it transmitted from the barcode scanner to the POS application. After intercepting the barcode, the collector may transmit the barcode to the POS application without noticeable delay, so that the collector does not interrupt standard business processes. In addition, the collector may send the barcode to a remote server via a network connection. In this manner, the remote server may collect POS data that covers a significant number of products, retailers, and locations.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus for encoding labels with information relating to temperature, life expectancy and/or discard dates and times of products such as perishable items. A hand-held portable printer mounts a thermometer which can sense the temperature of an item and the printer can print a label bearing the sensed temperature and/or other related data.

Abstract: A system identifies user-defined organizational relationships between documents in a collection of documents. The system ranks the documents based on the identified relationships. In response to a user search query, a listing of matching documents is identified. The listing of matching document is presented to the user based on document ranks.

Abstract: A processing system for managed prepaid cards can be introduced at low cost without requiring changing POS terminals. An expansion board is used connected to an activation server that activates prepaid cards, a barcode scanner, and a POS terminal. The expansion board has a product information acquisition unit that acquires product information from the barcode scanner; a product information discrimination unit that determines if the acquired product information is for a managed prepaid card that requires activation; a product information conversion unit that converts the product information to product information data that can be interpreted by the POS terminal; a product information data output unit that outputs the product information data to the POS terminal; and an activation request unit that sends the product information with an activation request to the activation request for validation.

Abstract: A context aware process is utilized to speed self-checkout. In one aspect, such a process is utilized to simplify response to a weight mismatch condition where a produce scale weight and a bagging scale weight for an item differs by more than a predetermined amount. Other examples of the application of such a process to other aspects of self-checkout are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that time correlate input at a point of entry of consumer data of least two identifications for products, prescriptions, vouchers, or codes, uses positive correlation determinations for triggering output of predetermined information. The time correlation of identifications may be used to build a time correlation database, and thereafter use that database for targeted communications. Related inventions include an intelligent Y cable or the like to filter data transmitted from a scanner at a point of entry of consumer data, and a novel POS CS configured to receive bar codes that would otherwise cause the POS CS to enter an error condition.

Abstract: An input device for allowing interface to a web site in association with a unique input code. A method for interconnecting a first location on a global communication network with a second location thereon is disclosed. An input device is provided at the first location on the global communication network having associated therewith a unique input device ID. A product code disposed on a product is scanned with the input device, which product code is representative of the product in commercial transactions, the operation of scanning operable to extract the information contained in the product code to provide a unique value as an output. The unique value is then associated with the unique input device ID. In response to the operation of scanning and associating, the first location is connected to the second location.

Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.

Abstract: A reusable produce and bulk-item shopping system and related business method designed to eliminate the need for using plastic film bags in retail sales of produce and other grocery items sold by weight. Disclosed are a caddy and a plurality of relatively smaller, reusable bags that fit neatly into the caddy. The caddy and bags are preferably sized and shaped to allow close engagement between the caddy and the smaller bags when the caddy and the bags are in the open position and filled. The smaller bags are of uniform weight, and the associated business method teaches several unique methods to easily and properly account for the weight of the bag at the check stand, in order to easily effect a net weight sale of the items in the bag.

Abstract: A system for remotely reading embedded RFID tags may generally facilitate the retail facility planogram auditing process. A set of RFID tags embedded with products displayed for sale at a retail facility may be provided and configured to store associated product information. An array configured to read the stored associated product data and triangulate the positions of the embedded tags may be located within range of the retail facility. The collected product data and triangulated positions may then be used by the system to audit the retail facility's compliance with a predetermined planogram. The audit results may be thereafter stored in a computer medium, aggregated in accordance with a predetermined format, communicated to personnel, and provided in a reviewable format via a user interface.

Abstract: There is disclosed reverse billing in online search. A telephony server may receive a request from a user to cause a telephone call to be established between the user and a merchant. A notice to the merchant may be generated. The notice may include an offer to establish a telephone call with the user in exchange for payment of a definite fee. An acceptance of the offer may be received from the merchant. A first voice communication leg with the user and a second voice communication leg with the merchant may be bridged to establish the telephone call between the user and the merchant. The definite fee may be appear on the merchant's bill for telephone service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating transactions using contactless proximity communication technology include information or payment flows that are reversed from the conventional sense in that information may flow in direction from a merchant via a consumer mobile device to a financial services provider (FSP). Such payment and information flows can be accomplished without needing to modify infrastructure—such as point-of-sale NFC readers, mobile handsets, or advertising tags and may provide “bridge solutions” for quickly implementing mobile proximity purchase payments.