Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-optical system, device and method for conducting electronic transactions utilizing a wireless communications device adapted to receive a transaction program and data. The device comprises memory storage for storing a transaction program, a microprocessor and a transponder chip. The microprocessor executes instructions contained within the transaction program to program a code segment on the transponder chip. The transponder chip transmits a signal representative of value upon detection of an activation signal. As disclosed herein, value is selected from the group consisting an identifier of a purchased good, an identifier of a purchased service, a coupon, a discount, a prepaid transaction, an electronic negotiable instrument, a sum from a credit account, and a sum from a debit account. The signal representative of value is readable by a seamier to complete a transaction. The scanner may be adapted to access a provider server for storing and retrieving user information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a fuel dispenser with radio frequency customer identification capabilities. The system and method determines whether a transponder containing customer identification data is within range of a dispenser, the dispenser requiring activation by the customer to initiate a transaction and including a reader associated therewith for emitting radio frequency signals within the dispenser range, and for receiving customer identification data from the transponder responsive to the emitted radio frequency signals received by the transponder. When the transponder is within range of the dispenser, an in-range indication is provided to the customer. A determination is made whether the dispenser has been activated by the customer following a determination that the transponder is within the dispenser range.

Abstract: Inventory control with inventory item attributes wherein the attributes describe an inventory item, the inventory item has an RFID identification tag having an RFID identification tag code, and the inventory item attributes include an RFID identification tag code field, a control value, an acceptable control value range, and an out of range action. Detecting changes in the inventory item attributes, including reading, through an RFID reader, the RFID identification code from the RFID tag associated with the inventory item, recording detected changes in inventory item attributes, comparing the control value and the acceptable control value range, and taking action in dependence upon the result of the comparing and the out of range action.

Abstract: A commercial article information presenting system includes a shopping basket device and a shopping server communicating with the shopping basket device. The shopping basket device acquires a tag ID from an electronic tag attached to a commercial article put in a shopping basket and transmits the tag ID to a shop server. The shop server stores the tag ID received from the shopping basket device, generates screen data for an itemization screen for indicating a commercial article identifier and a unit price corresponding to the stored tag ID, a total of unit prices. The shop server transmits the screen data for the itemization screen to the shopping basket device.

Abstract: In a method for identifying manufactured concrete or masonry blocks and managing the sale thereof to a customer in a retail establishment, the retail establishment having a computer system configured to monitor inventory, a database operatively coupled to the computer system, and a plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals operatively coupled to the computer system.

Abstract: A retail terminal and method of operation thereof. The retail terminal has a weight scale, a bar code scanner, RFID tag antenna, a scan error indicator, means for communicating with a processor and a memory containing a weight learning database (WLDB). The method comprises the steps of: allowing placement of an item, having an RFID tag, to be weighed on the weight scale; allowing scanning of the item via the bar code scanner; allowing RFID tag to be read by antenna located in the scanner; obtaining a weight measurement of the item on the scale upon successful scanning of the item; and comparing the measured weight of the scanned item with a predetermined weight for that item stored in the WLDB.

Abstract: A commodity registration processing apparatus detects, with a commodity sensor, whether a commodity is present in an imaging area of an imaging device and, when the commodity sensor detects that the commodity is present in the imaging area, decodes a commodity code barcode or the commodity code barcode and a discount barcode on the basis of image data acquired by imaging by the imaging device, and performs registration and price adjustment processing for the commodity on the basis of a decoding result of the commodity code barcode or the decoding result of the commodity code barcode and a decoding result of the discount barcode.

Abstract: A system includes a processing component; a communication interface receiving transaction data when a mobile device is coupled to the system; at least one data capture input element receiving payment data from an item external to the system and the mobile device; and a display displaying at least the transaction data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic payment calculator unit, which enables a purchaser in a large shop to calculate a price of articles and pay for the price in person so that the shop may be operated without an accounting clerk.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online purchasing via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting purchasing transactions over a network.

Abstract: A shopping system for purchasing one or more goods comprising: at least one shopping cart into which items to be purchased are placed. The cart includes a quantity measurement mechanism to detect a measureable quantity parameter (e.g. weight or volume) of each good placed in the cart. The system further comprises a shopping environment in which goods are arranged in designated areas according to their price per quantity parameter; a mechanism for ensuring that goods placed in the cart are associated with the measurable quantity related to the good(s); and a payment collection arrangement.

Abstract: A random weight item transaction system include a scale with label RIFD tag functionality, service person RFID tag functionality and customer RFID tag functionality. A slicer in proximity to the scale may include service person and bulk food product RFID functionalities. The scale may make weigh transaction data available to a computerized checkout system via a communications link or via writing the information to the label RFID tag.

Abstract: A checkout system performs checkout of articles. The checkout system includes an LCD touch screen 11 for specifying a second article different from a first article having data on the article registered as first article data, a barcode scanner 12 for recognizing a presented article which is the first article presented, and a control unit 314 that determines whether the presented article specified as the second article by the LCD touch screen 11 is not the second article.

Abstract: An apparatus for enrolling a package is disclosed including: a receiving surface for receiving the package; at least one weight sensor in communication with the receiving surface which generates a weight signal indicative of the weight of the package; at least one video camera which generates a video signal indicative of an image of the package on the receiving surface; and a processor in communication with the at least one weight sensor and the at least one video camera. The processor includes: a weight module which produces, in response to the weight signal, weight data indicative of the weight of the package; and a dimension capture module which produces in response to the video signal, dimension data indicative of the size of the package. In some embodiments the processor further includes a recognition module which produces, in response to the video signal character data indicative of one or more characters present on the package.

Abstract: A point of sale system including a point of sale register and a processor operatively coupled to the point of sale register, wherein the processor is physically discreet from the point of sale register. The system further includes a scanner operatively coupled to the processor. The scanner is configured to scan and capture data such that the processor and the scanner provide additional functionality to the point of sale register.

Abstract: In a data code reader, an image pickup section takes an image of at least a data code attached to a commodity, a decode section decodes the data code based on image data acquired by image pickup of the image pickup section, and a data code selection guide section gives a notice to urge selection of one data code from plural data codes when determining, based on the image data acquired by the image pickup of the image pickup section or a decode result of the decode section, that the plural data codes exist.

Abstract: A POS device includes a rotation shaft vertically fixed, a rotary plate provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft, a rotating portion placed on the rotary plate and having at least a barcode scanner and a receipt printer, and a display device for clerk and a display device for customer both provided at the top end of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: With a structure of preparing a process step management apparatus (3a) corresponding to a process step, the date and time information on the input of a product to the process step of the process step management apparatus and the date and time information on the output of the product from the process step of the process step management apparatus are recorded on a record medium attached to the product while maintaining the correspondence to the identification information on the process step management apparatus. Thus, the enumerated data of the identification information on the process step management apparatus (3a) corresponding to the process step in which the product is handled, and the date and time information on the input and output of the product in the process steps is recorded on the record medium.

Abstract: When decoding a datacode based on moving image data output from an image sensing device, moving image data output from the image sensing device is input. An image display output unit processes the moving image data and displays it on the display screen of a display as a real-time moving image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for enabling cashless fueling transactions through the use of vehicle-based decal sticker RFID tags. The tags store a unique customer identification number as well as other frequent purchase information. When read by a reader installed at the fuel dispenser, the tag information is sent to the network host via the Point of Sale (“POS”) system, where it is linked to a customer's account for transaction processing and subsequent activation of the fuel dispenser. Several tags may be read by a single interface unit, avoiding the need to connect a tag reader to each fuel dispenser.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a shipping station. An exemplary shipping station includes a shipping pad that is placed at a cash register. The invention further relates to a logistics system.

Abstract: In the case of displaying a button in a predetermined scene during an item sales data process on a self-checkout terminal, an operation history stored in association with an input customer code is referred to. When it is determined that the number of times of touching a button to be displayed in the scene is equal to or larger than a predetermined number of times, display of the button is skipped, and the process is continued without stopping the item sales data process.

Abstract: A product that is uniquely identifiable according to a globally unique identifier (GUID)(100) includes a class identifier (CID)(110) that uniquely identifies at least one product class in which the product is categorized (along with a plurality of other products) within a class hierarchy of a global content directory (42). The product class defines one or more attributes of the products categorized in the class. The product also includes a product identifier (PID)(120) that uniquely identifies the particular product from among the plurality of products categorized in the product class uniquely identified by the CID (110). The CID (110) and PID (120) collectively provide the GUID (100), which may be specified or determined to facilitate a commercial transaction involving the product.

Abstract: A feedback device 1 including an interface 2 for receiving a first signal 3 from a point of sale console 4. A processor 5 is responsive to signal 3 for selectively defining a second signal, in the form of an inaudible ultrasonic transmission 6. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer 7, is responsive to processor 5 for propagating transmission 6 to provide only in a predetermined spatially defined transmission zone 8 an audible signal 9 indicative of signal 3. Signal 9 is substantially inaudible outside of zone 8.

Abstract: Selectively deploying barriers for intra-order separation at a retail checkout terminal includes scanning products purchased by a consumer, determining a position of at least one product in a bagging portion of the retail checkout station relative to a plurality of selectively deployable barrier members, and activating a selector element on a user interface of the retail checkout station to deploy a select one of the plurality of selectively deployable barrier members based upon the position of the at least one product in the bagging portion serve to provide an intra-order separator that shields the at least one product resting in the bagging portion from other products moving toward the bagging portion on a product transport assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for awarding incentive points utilizing unique disc identification to provide access to disc storage media includes a disc storage medium with a permanently recorded disc identification, a user console with a set identification, a network, and a host server managing a user database and a disc database. Upon purchase of software stored on a disc storage medium, the unique disc identification and user identification are transmitted over the network from the user console to the host server. Permission to access the programs residing on the disc storage medium by the user console is obtained from the host server. The host server manages a point system. Points are awarded and recorded in point accounts stored in the databases.

Abstract: One or more aspects of managing information that were previously performed within a private electronic environment are now performed within a public electronic environment off-line from the private environment. This allows the information to be managed at a location that is user-friendly, and relaxes the requirement for a synchronous connection to the private environment. One example of information managed in this manner is a proposal for a contract, such as sales contract.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system and a control method thereof are provided. The POS system comprises a bar code scanner scanning a bar code attached to the goods, a key input unit for selectively cancelling or shelving the scanned goods, a POS terminal receiving goods information from the bar code scanner or the key input unit, and a scan/key input indication unit having one or more indication lamps turned on in certain color through receiving a specified data signal from the POS terminal when the bar code scanner scans the bar code of goods, or the key input unit cancels or shelves the scanned goods whereby when a salesperson manipulates the key input unit so as to cancel or shelve the scanned goods by intention or by mistake after the bar code of goods is scanned, the corresponding indication lamp is turned on so that a manager or others as well as the salesperson recognizes the situation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates implementation of an incentive or loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal rewards currency may be “spent” by participants who have earned rewards and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network created by the system. The network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: A system that automates the clearing and settlement of electronic coupons (E-Coupons) by leveraging existing technologies and enabling E-Coupon redemption at any merchant having electronic funds transfer (EFT) capabilities, such as credit/debit card acceptance. The system reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces or eliminates the need for manual clearinghouse counting and sorting of coupons, and provides an electronic audit trail for coupon redemption, tying a specific purchase to a specific coupon. After registering and selecting coupons, consumers then use an E-Coupon card or account access device at a merchant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. E-Coupon values are deducted from the consumer's final amount due. Both consumer package goods manufacturers (CPGs) and merchants may be charged a fee. Expired coupons are automatically removed from the account and their value refunded to the CPGs. Reports on redeemed coupons and consumer profiles can be generated and provided to CPGs or merchants.

Abstract: The social networking interactive shopping system includes a portable wireless user interface for use by a store customer when shopping. A merchant server is provided, the server having market survey, advertising, promotions, security, social networking services, web server capability, a quantitative prediction modeling system predicting behavior of the customer, a predictive response marketing/advertising system that targets advertising messages to the customer based on a predicted customer response to the advertising messages, and payment application software. The merchant server is capable of wired or wireless communication with the portable wireless user interface. A database is provided, and can be stored on site or off site. The database includes information associated with items for sale at the store, and is in operable communication with the merchant server.

Abstract: A system for tracking and facilitating control of body weight of a person including a computing device to execute software elements including a weight tracker to receive undated body weights from the user and to display a graphical representation of the body weight of the person over time, a journal to display food items consumed by the person, and a display to present the graphical representation of the body weight of the person over time to the person, the graphical representation including at least one user selectable indicia consisting of at least one point on the graphical representation of the body weight of the person over time indicative of a past time period, which, when selected displays the food items consumed during the past time period, the graphical representation including a plurality of milestones plotted on the graphical representation indicative of weight targets reached by the individual over time.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a differential communication system that is preferable for performing differential communication in a dynamically configured network. [Solving Means] Portable terminals 100 to 120 each generates difference information from information to be transmitted, based on reference information held by itself, and transmits the generated difference information to an intended portable terminal. Also, upon receiving difference information, each of the portable terminals 100 to 120 determines whether or not reference information held by a transmission source of the difference information and reference information held by itself are the same. Upon determining that they are not the same, each of the portable terminals 100 to 120 obtains the reference information held by the transmission source of the difference information, and, based on the obtained reference information, restores, from the received difference information, information to be transmitted.

Abstract: A non-scan detect system for a retail checkout station includes a non-scan detect module. The non-scan detect module, when operated, causes the non-scan detect system to detect the passing of an item across a scanner device of a retail checkout station, determine that the item passing across the scanner device was not registered as a scan, establish a potential non-scanned item based on the item not being registered as a scan, obtain an image of the potential non-scanned item, establish a scanned item based on an item passing across the scanner device being registered as a scan, extract features associated with the scanned item, compare the features associated with the scanned item with the image of the potential non-scanned item, and trigger an actual non-scan if the features of the scanned item do not substantially match the image of the potential non-scanned item.

Abstract: The communications terminal comprises: a playback device which playbacks content; a reading device which reads in access information recorded on a prescribed recording medium, the access information being necessary for downloading the content which can be played back by the playback device, via a network; a communications device which downloads via communications the content corresponding to the access information according to the access information read in; a storage device which stores the downloaded content, the storage device storing details of the access information in association with the content, the details of the access information being used in downloading the content; a judging device which judges whether or not the content corresponding to the read access information is present in the storage device, according to information which is stored in the storage device, when the access information is read in by the reading device; and a control device which controls the playback device, the reading devic

Abstract: The present invention incorporates scanning technology and secure payment technology into the operating system (OS) of a mobile device such as a smartphone. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning technology comprises RFID interrogation capability. This enables smartphone users to validate transactions during a shopping session at a retail location (i.e., scan items as they are added to their shopping cart) and streamline the payment process by electronically transmitting their credit/debit card information directly to their financial institution to authorize payment to finish the transaction, all while within the retail location.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for deterring product theft and preventing the fraudulent return or exchange of products. Products are associated with a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Tag readers located at store access points can detect the presence of the RFID tag and can be used to help determine a direction of travel of the RFID tag. When a product is determined to be leaving the store, the transaction history of the product can be accessed, as well as the supply chain history of the product, to confirm the product has been validly purchased and therefore authorized for removal from the store. When a product is determined to be entering a store, the supply chain history and transaction history of the product can be consulted to determine if the product can be validly exchanged or returned.

Abstract: A client computer collects registration information and uploads the collected information to one or more remote registration databases. The collection and/or uploading of registration information for multiple manufacturers is performed in a unified manner, improving the user-friendliness of the computer. According to one aspect of the invention, a single user interface is used to collect the registration information for all of the manufacturers, preventing the same question from being asked multiple times. According to another aspect of the invention, a multiple posting method is used to upload the registration information to the registration databases. In the multiple posting method, a single network communication link is established between the client computer and a network that the registration databases are coupled to, via which multiple client computer to registration database connections are established.

Abstract: A system for enabling reliable verification of items being purchased using a self checkout system. The self checkout system is equipped with a verification mark dispenser and verification mark detectors that respectively dispenses a mark on an item as the item is being scanned for purchasing and then verifies, by detecting the mark on the item, that the item being bagged (or passed through the tunnel) is the same item that was scanned. When a customer scans an item for purchase, and if purchase transaction is successful, a mark (made of a non-reactive but detectable material or ink) is placed on the exterior packaging of the item. When the item is placed in the tunnel, the detector, sensitive to the activation of the specific marking and located at or in the tunnel, detects the marking on the item. If the activated marking is not detected by the detector, an alert condition is triggered.

Abstract: A system and method for developing an application is disclosed. The application is for use with point of sale equipment having a device. The application is capable of utilizing the device when the application is executed on the point of sale equipment. The method and system include providing an emulation module corresponding to the device. The method and system further includes ensuring that the application will utilize the emulation module when the application is executed on the development system. Thus, when the application is executed on the system, the emulation module and the application emulate the interaction between the application and the device that occurs when the application is executed on the point of sale equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides portable-device based store checkout. Specifically, a portable device is configured for store checkout. When the shopper obtains an item, he/she scans its barcode and captures its image using the portable device. The identity of the item as determined based on the barcode is compared with its appearance as determined based on the image. If the two are consistent with one another, the item is added to an inventory of items. The shopper can checkout by linking (e.g., porting) the portable device to a checkout station. The linking will cause the inventory of items to be made known to the checkout station, which will arrange payment using the portable device. Optionally, as an additional validation, the shopping receptacle can be weighed at the checkout station to make sure it reasonably meets an expected weight determined based on the inventory.

Abstract: A computer system is provided that may include a platform, a display device, and a processor in communication with the platform and the display device. The processor may be configured to receive a bill of materials listing elements, receive models of the elements, and receive information on the quality of the elements. The processor may also be configured to identify matches between the information and the elements by comparing the information to each of the elements. The processor may further be configured to generate visual indicators on the models based on the matches, and display the models and the visual indicators on the display device.

Abstract: A method for interactive recipe presentation including initially receiving, at a server, an indication from a user of at least one first ingredient, querying the user, by the server, whether at least one additional ingredient is available, additionally receiving from the user in response to the querying, an indication of which, if any, of the at least one additional ingredient is available and providing to the user at least one recipe, which requires the at least one first ingredient and which requires any of the at least one additional ingredient which is available and which does not require other non-staple ingredients.

Abstract: The communication state information providing system comprises a cellular phone of an information provider, and an information providing device having an information receiving unit for receiving, via a wireless LAN, the communication state information transmitted from the cellular phone, a communication state information storage unit for storing the communication state information received by the information receiving unit associated with the phone number specifying the cellular phone, and an information transmitting unit for transmitting the communication state information stored in the communication state information storage unit to a destination associated with the phone number of the cellular phone.

Abstract: A method for detecting a non-scan at a retail checkout station includes detecting the passing of an item across a scanner device of a retail checkout station, obtaining an image of the item passing across the scanner, detecting a scan of an item passing across the scanner to establish a scanned item, and establishing a register associated with the scanned item. A scan occurs if the image of the item passing across the scanner substantially matches the register associated with the scanned item. Conversely, a non-scan is triggered when the image of the item passing across the scanner does not match the register associated with the scanned item.

Abstract: A computer implemented actual costing method for collecting and presenting an actual cost of performing a business activity includes the steps of carrying a first and/or a second step, the first step including collecting the actual cost of at least one job performed in furtherance of the business activity, the second step including collecting the actual cost of at least one item manufactured in furtherance of the business activity. A unique cost source identifier is created for each collected actual cost and the collected actual cost is stored therein. Each unique cost source identifier is then associated with its corresponding item or job within the business activity. A selected accounting costing method for actual cost collection and a selected accounting costing method for actual cost presentation based upon the stored cost source identifiers may then be implemented.

Abstract: A system for alerting an operator of a weighing apparatus is described. The weighing apparatus may be capable of displaying a message in a message area to an operator. The message may be displayed in response to a command sent from a remote device.

Abstract: A POS-centric digital imaging system for installation at a retail point of sale (POS) station having a countertop surface. The POS-centric digital imaging system includes a system housing having at least one imaging window, and providing a cashier side and a customer side for the POS-centric digital imaging system. An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing subsystem is disposed in the system housing, for generating a 3D imaging volume adjacent the imaging window. A cashier/customer terminal is integrated within the system housing, for simultaneously supporting (i) cashier product scanning/imaging and checkout operations on said cashier side, and (ii) customer payment and other services on said customer side.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction.