| Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Patent applications |
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| 20160142259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCOVERY OF DEVICES ON A NETWORK - A connection is established between a first device and a server. When the first device opens the connection, the server determines the remote IP address of the first device. Determining the remote IP address can be performed in a variety of different manners. The first device is then tasked to determine its local IP address. The same steps can be repeated with a second device. Thereafter, either of the first device or the second device are able to query the server to find out if there is another device on the network. If one of the devices is capable of accepting incoming connections, the devices can communicate directly using the local IP addresses. Otherwise, messages can be sent through the server. The communication between the first and second devices can allow enhanced media viewing capabilities. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160132515 | SOCIAL GENOME - Systems and methods are provided for processing a data stream in real time to identify connections between one or more social elements social elements and aggregating and storing the identified connections over a rolling time window. Social elements may be stored as nodes and connection between social elements may be stored as labeled connections between nodes. Other embodiments are provided. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160127182 | CONFIGURATION RESOLUTION FOR TRANSITIVE DEPENDENCIES - A method including receiving on a server a request from a first provider to retrieve a configuration for a lookup order. The first provider can be configured to be called directly by an application such that the application has a direct dependency relationship with the first provider. The first provider can be configured to be called by the application through a second provider such that the application has a transitive dependency relationship with the first provider through the second provider. The request from the first provider can be received when the first provider is called by the application through one of the direct dependency relationship or the transitive dependency relationship. The method also can include determining the configuration for the lookup order using the server based at least in part on whether the call to the first provider by the application is through the direct dependency relationship or through the transitive dependency relationship. The method further can include providing the configuration for the lookup order to the first provider. The method additionally can include receiving first information at the application that is based at least in part on the configuration for the lookup order. The method further can include providing second information for at least a portion of a web page that is based at least in part on the first information. Other embodiments are provided. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160125345 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AN OPERATIONAL HEALTH SCORE - Provided herein are methodologies, systems, and devices for calculating and displaying operational health scores based on key operational metrics that are used to evaluate on-shelf-availability. The measure of successful adoption of various key operational metrics is combined to produce an overall operational health score. The operational metrics can include, for example, pick completion, items binned, bin accuracy, manual counts, and manual picks. In some embodiments, these metrics can be weighted to reflect their relative impact on operational health and on-shelf-availability. The operational health scores can be compared with a target operational health score to determine whether each particular store is above or below the desired health score value. In some exemplary embodiments, a heat map can be displayed via a GUI that includes a number of store icons or color coded pins overlaid on a geographical map to represent the operational health score of the stores. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160110785 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SALE REDEMPTION - Systems and methods for guaranteed redemption of sale items. The systems and methods can include a payment system for issuing a payment instrument to a customer when the sale item is not available in a retail location. The systems and methods can further include a redemption system for redeeming the payment instrument for the sale item. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160099991 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED VIDEO STREAMING - A system and method for improved video streaming is disclosed herein. After receiving a log-in request from a user, an embodiment can access the user's account information to find available media files for the user. An embodiment can then determine if any of the available media files for the user are partially viewed. The partially viewed media files are displayed to the user, including a title of the media file and a viewed time of each media file. Thereafter, a user can select one of the list of partially viewed media files. Playback of the media file begins at the viewed time of the selected media file. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160098547 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC DIGITAL COPY FOR PHYSICAL MEDIA PURCHASE - A system and method for giving access to streaming media that is associated with purchased physical media item is disclosed herein. Upon the purchase of a physical media item, a unique identifier is received. The unique identifier is analyzed to determine if the unique identifier is associated with a streaming service account. If so, the streaming service account is modified to grant access to streaming media that is associated with the physical media. The user is notified of the availability of the streaming media. The user can then initiate playback of the streaming media. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160098400 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED NAVIGATION OF AVAILABLE CHOICES - A system and method for improved navigation of available titles for a streaming media service is disclosed herein. After entering a discovery mode, a list of categories is presented to a user. Once a user selects a category, a list of criteria specific to the selected category is presented. After a user selects a criteria, a list of categories can be shown to the user, limited to those categories available after the criteria was selected. After a second category is selected, then a list of criteria, specific to the previously selected criteria and to the second category, is presented. Each time a user selects a new criteria, the number of titles available to a user is reduced. Such a process can be repeated, further limiting the number of titles shown to the user, until a user finally chooses a media file to view. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160092772 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING SEARCH TERM PROBABILITY - A system and method for predicting search term popularity is disclosed herein. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L. A machine learning algorithm is trained to create a predictive model. Thereafter, for each record in a database system, the predictive model is used to calculate a probability of the record being accessed. If the calculated probability of the record being accessed is greater than a threshold value, then the record in the first database cluster H; otherwise, the record is placed in the second database cluster L. Training the machine learning algorithm comprises inputting a training feature vector associated with the record into the machine learning algorithm, inputting a cost vector into the machine learning algorithm, and iteratively operating the machine learning algorithm on each record in the set of records to create a predictive model. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092577 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING BUSINESS LOGIC INTO A HOT/COLD PREDICTION - A system and method for integrating business logic into a database system is disclosed herein. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L. After records are separated into the first database cluster H and the second database cluster L, the total number of records in the second database cluster L is compared to a target number of records. If there are too many records in the second database cluster L, a randomly generated number is used to randomly move records from second database cluster L into first database cluster H. In a situation where the first database cluster H is faster and accessed more often, such a method results in more products being placed in the faster database cluster and become more likely to become purchased. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092564 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIORITIZED PRODUCT INDEX SEARCHING - A system and method for searching databases is disclosed herein. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L. After receiving a search request from a requester, the search request is executed in the first database cluster H to retrieve a first set of results. If the first set of results is greater than a minimum number of results, then the first set of results are presented to the requester. Otherwise, the second database cluster L is searched to retrieve a second set of results. Then the first set of results and the second set of results are presented to the requester. The first database cluster H is stored on a first database server; and the second database cluster L is stored on a second database server apart from the first database server. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092520 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING PAST OR EXTERNAL INFORMATION FOR FUTURE SEARCH RESULTS - A system and method for using past information for future search results is disclosed. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L. Social media mentions are mapped to products in the database system. Thereafter, each record in the database system is tracked to determine if mentions on social media platforms are increasing or decreasing, using a social media popularity trend signal. The social media popularity trend signal is created by comparing social media mentions during one time period to social media mentions in another time period. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092519 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING SEASONALITY AND NEWNESS IN DATABASE SEARCHES - A system and method for capturing seasonality in a database system is disclosed herein. A database system may comprise a first database cluster H and a second database cluster L, with records being divided between the first database cluster H and the second database cluster L by likelihood of the record being accessed. Several criteria may be used to determine the likelihood of a record being accessed. For example, one may review access history to determine the activity for the record during various time periods, such as comparing access history for the record the same day one year ago, in an attempt to determine seasonality of the record. One may also review the newness of a record, such that the newness of a record is part of the criteria being reviewed when assigning record to a database cluster. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092076 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MENU-BASED NAVIGATION FEATURING SHOWCASES - A system and method for menu-based navigation to view audio and/or visual media is disclosed. A user can navigate through a menu system by moving a cursor between various showcases listed in a second display area of a screen. When the user selects a category, the menu changes to display sub-categories within the category in a first area of the screen. The second display area can display information about available media items within a selected category or sub-category. A third display area can display additional information about the selected media item. There can also be a display area where a user can create a filter within a selected category or sub-category. The menu selections can contain images representative of categories. The categories can be genres of movies or music. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160092042 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MENU-BASED NAVIGATION - A system and method for menu-based navigation to view audio and/or visual media is disclosed. A user can navigate through a menu system by moving a cursor between various categories listed in a menu in a first display area. When the user selects a category, the menu changes to display sub-categories within the category, with the chosen category listed in a home position of the first display area. A second display area can display available selections within a selected category or sub-category. A third display area can display additional information about the selected media item. There also can be a display area where a user can create a filter within a selected category or sub-category. The menu selections can contain representations of categories. The categories can be genres or lists of movies or music. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160063590 | DYNAMIC TAXONOMY GENERATION WITH DEMAND-BASED PRODUCT GROUPS - A method of extending an existing product taxonomy for an inventory of products. The existing product taxonomy can include pages having a hierarchical tree structure. The method can include determining a first set of keywords. The first set of keywords can be a prediction of keywords searched above a predetermined threshold during a predetermined time period of one or more external search engines. The method also can include generating dynamic product groups based on the first set of keywords. The method further can include generating a relation graph of the dynamic product groups. The relation graph can include relation links between the dynamic product groups. The method also can include linking the dynamic product groups to pages in the existing product taxonomy to generate an extended product taxonomy. The extended product taxonomy can include the existing product taxonomy, the dynamic product groups, and the relation links of the relation graph between the dynamic product groups. The method further can include presenting to a user information about the dynamic product groups. Other embodiments are provided. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160063386 | AUTOMATIC RULE COACHING - A method of validating rules configured to be utilized in an information extraction application, including: receiving a plurality of labeled samples in a training database; for each of the rules in the rule database: (a) determining, for each of the data points of the plurality of labeled samples in the training database to which the rule applies, whether applying the rule to the data point has a positive or negative impact on matching an output for the data point based on the rule to the assured output of the labeled sample corresponding to the data point; (b) generating positive impact information for the rule based on the positive voters; (c) generating negative impact information for the rule based on the negative voters; and (d) determining a metric for the rule based on the quantity of the negative voters and the quantity of the positive voters; ranking the rules based on the metrics corresponding to the rules; and sending to a user for refinement one or more flagged rules of the rules that have a lowest ranking of the metric. Other embodiments are provided. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160055452 | INVENTORY MIRRORING IN A HETEROGENEOUS FULFILLMENT NETWORK - A method of determining an inventory mirroring plan for a set of distinct items in a heterogeneous fulfillment network is presented. The fulfillment network can include a plurality of distribution centers, each distribution center having differing capabilities. The method can include determining a solution value of the number of clusters for each distinct item that minimizes a sum of a total shipping cost of each distinct item, subject to a total distinct item capacity of the plurality of distribution centers in the fulfillment network. The method can further include using a probability of the item being placed in a specific distribution center based on either the capacity of the distribution center or historical data. The probability can be used to stock items. Overages and deficits can be used to further refine the distribution. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160034593 | APPARATUS AND METHOD ENABLEMENT OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION CONTROL SYSTEMS ON A MAINFRAME COMPUTER - Digital information is transferred between an application that processes a plurality of on-line transactions executed on the mainframe computer and a file system of an operating system. A programmable processor identifies the data held in memory under control of the application. The programmable processor calls a first routine to associate a portion of the data with a container of the application and calls a second routine to dynamically allocate a file of the file system. The programmable processor opens the file of the file system and calls an input/output routine of the operating system to transfer the data associated with the container to the file of the file system. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20150379115 | PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION DATA TRANSFER AND MANAGEMENT - Computerized data processing and electronic file management methods of organizing and indexing electronic records in an electronic database for categorizing new products that are being added to an existing database of product offerings and computerized digital data processing methods of transferring digital information between a plurality of computers and employing computer instructions to categorize new products that are being added to an existing database of product offerings. Multiple classification models classify a description of a particular product and the classifications are compared, and if found to be equivalent, are added to the existing database of product offerings. If the classifications from the models are not equivalent, then the description is sent to multiple people for classification and the classifications from the people are compared, and if found to be equivalent, are added to the existing database of product offerings. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150356496 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSIGNING EMPLOYEES TO COVERAGE AND/OR TASKS BASED ON SCHEDULE AND PREFERENCES - A system and method for assigning employees that are schedule to work at a brick and mortar retail store location to coverage areas within the retail store and/or tasks associated with those coverage areas. The system and method takes into account the required coverage area times of each coverage area within the store location, the master schedule of employees available to work within a defined time period that is provided by a schedule management system, and management's preferences regarding coverage area priorities for or associated with certain employees, and then automatically assigns coverage to the scheduled employees based on all those variables. The system and method identifies individuals whose scheduled work shift overlaps with required coverage area times and who are preferred to work in the coverage area and assigns such individuals to work in the coverage area during the overlapping time period (or a portion thereof). | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150348172 | Smart Order Management And Database Sharding - A method for sharding a store order database is provided. The method may include a store order management server operating an order management system application layer to facilitate online order management. The store order management server may receive, from a customer computer, a query regarding an order to purchase items from the store. The store order management server may transmit the customer query regarding the order to a router which may use resident shard determination logic to identify a database shard which pertains to the order. The database shard may be part of a store order database having a plurality of database shards. The router may transmit information regarding the order to a database server which implements the identified database shard and the database server may process the information and transmit information regarding the order to the customer computer. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348171 | Smart Order Management And Application Level Sharding - A method for sharding a store order database and order management application is provided. The method may include a computer router associated with a store receiving, from a customer computer, a query regarding an order. The router may use resident shard determination logic to identify a database shard which pertains to the order and which is part of a store order database having multiple database shards. The router may transmit information regarding the order to a database server which implements the identified database shard and which implements an order management system application layer. The database server may process information regarding the order and transmit information regarding the order to the customer computer. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348160 | AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF FEATURED PRODUCT GROUPS WITHIN A PRODUCT SEARCH ENGINE - A method of computing a featured set of product groups for a query on an inventory of products. Each of the products can have one or more attribute-value pairs. Each of the one or more attribute-value pairs can have an attribute. The method can include determining a result group of the products matching the query. The method also can include determining relevance scores for the product groups. The method further can include determining a featured attribute and the featured set of the product groups for the featured attribute. The method also can include, after receiving the query from a user, transmitting for display at least one page of a website, where the at least one page has an option to view each of the product groups of the featured set of the product groups that has been selected. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150347957 | Smart Inventory Management and Database Sharding - A method for sharding a store inventory database is provided. The method may include separating a store inventory database into a first inventory database shard in a first inventory database server which has inventory data for a first group of items sold by a store and into a second inventory database shard in a second inventory database server which has inventory data for a second group of items sold by the store which are different than the first group of items. The method may also include associating a router with the sharded store inventory database, the router housing resident shard determination logic which comprises information which, for an item sold by the store, identifies an inventory database shard on which inventory data for the item is stored. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150347572 | DETERMINATION OF PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES AND VALUES USING A PRODUCT ENTITY GRAPH - A method of determining structured product information for a product from a product description using a product entity graph. The product graph can include a plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes can include an entity value key, one or more entity names, and an entity name count for each of the one or more entity names. The method can include determining k-grams of the product description. The method also can include, for each k-gram of the product description, determining a matching node of the plurality of nodes of the product entity graph that corresponds to the k-gram and determining a derived entity name for the product from the one or more entity names of the matching node based at least in part on the entity name counts corresponding to the one or more entity names. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150347436 | QUERY AUTO-COMPLETION - A method of providing predictive search query recommendations for a search query. The method can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory storage modules. The method can include receiving the search query from a user. The method also can include determining the predictive search query recommendations for the search query using a tree data structure. At least one top layer of the tree data structure can include at least one trie query node and bottom layers of the tree data structure can include ternary tree query nodes. The method further can include sending the predictive search query recommendations to the user. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150319333 | Digital Watermark Feature For Device To Device Duplication Of A Digital Receipt - A computer-implemented process can be operated to create a watermarked copy of a unique original copy of an electronic sales receipt in a first computerized device to a second computerized device. The watermarked copy includes an electronic watermark identifying the copy. The process includes creating the watermarked copy of the electronic sales receipt by copying information from the original copy of the electronic sales receipt to the watermarked copy and providing the electronic watermark within the watermarked copy. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150317720 | PROCESSING ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Control or prevention of usage of an online ecommerce system to transfer funds by evaluating proximity between a location where cash payment is made and a location where a cash refund is requested. When the proximity exceeds a distance threshold, the cash refund at the second location is prohibited, and when the proximity is less than the distance threshold, the cash refund is permitted. Various embodiments ask the customer to specify a choice of refund stores, evaluate whether the person who made the cash payment for the order is different than the person who requested the refund, require identification, check publicly available Internet social site information for a relationship between the people, check for a pattern of requesting refunds, limit the refund to store credit, or a combination thereof. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150317659 | DYNAMIC PRICING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Example dynamic pricing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives an indication of an occurrence of a first event unrelated to a particular customer. The method also receives an indication of an occurrence of a second event unrelated to a particular customer. Based on the first event and the second event, the method determines whether to adjust a price associated with a particular item. If the method determines that the price associated with the particular item needs adjustment, a new price for the particular item is determined based on the first event and the second event. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150317642 | PROCESS TO QUERY ELECTRONIC SALES RECEIPTS WITH A PORTABLE COMPUTERIZED DEVICE - A process permitting a customer to access a stored electronic sales receipt and provide information from the electronic sales receipt to a customer service associate can include, in a computerized device operated by the customer, accessing the stored electronic sales receipt and generating a displayed indication to the electronic sales receipt. The process can further include, in a computerized device operated by the customer service associate, receiving the displayed indication and processing a transaction related to the electronic sales receipt based upon the displayed indication. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150317340 | PATTERN FOR INTEGRATING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA STORES IN A SHARDED DATA DOMAIN - Example systems and methods for integrating a sharded primary data store (e.g., a source-of-truth relational database management system), a secondary data store (e.g., external cache) and an external global index are described. The approach implements a modified read-through/write-through data access pattern that integrates read and write flows in order to support high-concurrency environments while maintaining immediate consistency between all three stores. Writes are handled using a three-phase flow that avoids concurrency-related race conditions and the need to block in the secondary store in order to maintain cross-store consistency. Reads are never dirty and will repair the secondary store as needed, presenting an immediately consistent view of data to application consumers. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150278923 | Routing Order Lookups From Retail Systems - The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for routing order lookups from retail systems. Order data from order management system database is synchronized to an order cache. When an order lookup is received (e.g., from a retail kiosk or POS terminal), a business layer determines if the cache can appropriately service the order lookup. If so (e.g., if the order lookup does not change order state), the business layer routes the order lookup to the cache. Otherwise (e.g., if the order lookup does change order state), the business layer routes the order lookup to the order management system database. In-store retail systems can be used to lookup orders previously submitted through other channels, such as, a website or mobile application. Knowing order details for other orders can assist the customer with in-store purchasing decisions. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278919 | Systems and Methods for a Catalog of Trending and Trusted Items - Various embodiments of methods and systems for providing a catalog of trending and trusted items include a method comprising determining a plurality of first recommendations from a set of users within a trust network of a first user, wherein each user from the set of users is associated with one of the plurality of first recommendations, determining respective time differences between respective chronologically successive first recommendations of the plurality of first recommendations, and determining one or more second recommendations that satisfy one or more popularity criteria. In many embodiments, the method further comprises arranging for display the first recommendations in a chronologically based order, and one or more of the second recommendations, wherein a respective second recommendation is inserted between respective chronologically successive first recommendations whose time difference is greater than a threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed herein. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278918 | Systems and Methods for Providing a Collections Search - Various embodiments of methods and systems for providing a collections search include a method comprising determining one or more recommendations from a set of users within a trust network of a first user, wherein each user from the set of users is associated with one of the plurality of first recommendations and determining a category for each of the one or more recommendations. In many embodiments, the method further comprises arranging one or more collections of the one or more recommendations according to the category for each of the one or more recommendations and arranging for display the one or more collections. Other embodiments are disclosed herein. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278917 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS - Various embodiments of systems and methods for obtaining product recommendations include a method comprising receiving from a requestor a recommendation request and determining a first level category associated with the recommendation request. In many embodiments, the method further comprises sending instructions to display the recommendation request to one or more first users within a trust network of the requester, wherein the first users are identified as trusted by the requester with respect to the first level category, and if one or more first conditions are satisfied, send instructions to display the recommendation request to one or more second users, wherein each second user is within a respective trust network of a respective first user and is identified as trusted by the respective first user with respect to the first level category. Other embodiments also are disclosed herein. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278916 | Systems and Methods for Recommendation Scraping - Various embodiments of systems and methods for recommendation scraping include a method comprising receiving a content feed, wherein the content feed is associated with a holder and identifying at least one post within the content feed comprising a mention of a respective item. In many embodiments, the method can further comprise generating an item recommendation corresponding to the respective item, associating the item recommendation with a profile associated with the holder, and sending instructions to present the item recommendation to one or more users. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278321 | SYNCHRONIZING DATABASE DATA TO A DATABASE CACHE - The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing database data to a database cache. Embodiments of the invention facilitate synchronizing order data from an order management system database to an order cache. When order data is synchronized, more efficient order lookups of the order data can occur. In some embodiments, the order management system database feeds the order cache with the latest updates as relevant state for orders is modified. A trigger within the order management system database can indicate when order state is modified. The trigger is monitored. When the trigger indicates modified order state, a caching interface (e.g., a caching API) can be called to publish the modified order state to the order cache. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278308 | ROUTING ORDER LOOKUPS - The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for routing order lookups. Order data from order management system database is synchronized to an order cache. When an order lookup is received, a business layer determines if the cache can appropriately service the order lookup. If so, the business layer routes the order lookup to the cache. Otherwise, the business layer routes the order lookup to the order management system database. In some embodiments, order lookups configured to impact state of the order management system database (e.g., that write or change order data) are routed to the order management system database. In these same embodiments, order lookups configured to not impact state of the order management system database (e.g., that read order data) are routed to the cache. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278282 | INTEGRATING DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND EXTERNAL CACHE - Example systems and methods for integrating a primary data store (e.g., a source-of-truth relational database management system) and a secondary data store (e.g., external cache) are described. The approach implements a modified read-through/write-through data access pattern that integrates read and write flows in order to support high-concurrency environments while maintaining immediate consistency between stores. Writes are handled using a three-phase flow that avoids concurrency-related race conditions and the need to block in the secondary store in order to maintain cross-store consistency. Reads are never dirty and will repair the secondary store as needed without conflicting with repairs that may have been initiated by other sessions. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150277939 | Configuring Applications At Runtime - The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for configuring applications at runtime. Embodiments of the invention decouple code and configuration. Application configuration is externalized, allowing configuration to be composed at runtime based on client context. A client context for an application is sent to a configuration manager. One or more pluggable configuration providers at the configuration manager deduce values for use in configuring the application at runtime. Deduced values are composed into a configuration and the configuration returned to the application. Using the values in the composed configuration, the application can be configured to operate in the client context. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150249701 | SERVICE GOVERNANCE FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS - Example systems and methods for service governance for distributed and cloud-based systems are described. In one implementation, a method extracts a plurality of service manifest files associated with a web service from a service artifact. The method also validates the plurality of service manifest files, and publishes the plurality of service manifest files in a service registry. | 09-03-2015 |
| 20150242931 | INITIATION OF PURCHASE TRANSACTION IN RESPONSE TO A REPLY TO A RECOMMENDATION - In one embodiments, initiation of purchase transaction in response to a reply to a recommendation comprises a method. The method comprises, at a computer system having one or more processors and non-transitory memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, detecting a recommendation associated with a first user, the recommendation associated with a product or service. The method further comprises detecting a response from a second user to the recommendation, determining whether the response from the second user comprises a purchase decision, and in accordance with a determination that the response from the second user comprises the purchase decision, initiating a transaction for the second user to purchase the product or service associated with the recommendation. Other embodiments are described herein. | 08-27-2015 |
| 20150222679 | DATA STREAMING FRAMEWORK FROM DATABASE TO MULTIPLE TARGETS BY LEVERAGING CACHED DATABASE CONNECTIONS AND CURSORS - Example systems and methods for streaming data from database using established pipelines are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request for data from a database. The method also determines a pipeline corresponding to the request, and then provide a data stream from the database using the determined pipeline. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150220972 | Management Of The Display Of Online Ad Content Consistent With One Or More Performance Objectives For A Webpage And/Or Website - Systems and methods are disclosed for managing the display of online ad content consistent with one or more e-commerce objectives. A collection module may be operable to collect attribute values for a set of attributes characterizing user visits to a set of training webpages and subsequent attribute values for a subsequent user visit to a subsequent webpage. A model-generation module may be operable to train a probability model with the attribute values that predicts outcomes for at least one performance metric. A display module may be operable to determine whether to display ad content on the subsequent webpage for the subsequent user visit depending on whether a predicted outcome from the probability model that is relevant to the subsequent attribute values is consistent with one or more e-commerce objectives. The probability model may be a decision tree with different predicted outcomes for different combinations of attribute values. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150220971 | OPTIMIZATION AND ATTRIBUTION OF MARKETING RESOURCES - Example systems and methods for optimization and attribution of marketing resources are described. In one implementation, a method retrieves transaction data associated with one or more offline stores and user data of users that are exposed to a marketing campaign. The method also correlates the transaction data to the user data to measure marketing attribution and modify the marketing campaign. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150220940 | TREND DATA COUNTER - Systems and methods are provided for collecting, sorting, and reporting data sets representing transactions, product reviews, social media product mentions, or the like. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a trend aggregation system includes a backend data collector, a trend database, and a trend server. Data may be gathered from heterogeneous sources such as transaction records, product reviews posted by consumers on web sites, and product mentions posted on social network platforms. The data may be sorted and stored in a way to provide recall of trend data segments filtered according to selected parameters. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150220938 | Trend Data Aggregation - Systems and methods are provided for collecting, sorting, and reporting data sets representing transactions, product reviews, social media product mentions, or the like. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a trend aggregation system includes a backend data collector, a trend database, and a trend server. Data may be gathered from heterogeneous sources such as transaction records, product reviews posted by consumers on web sites, and product mentions posted on social network platforms. The data may be sorted and stored in a way to provide recall of trend data segments filtered according to selected parameters. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150220896 | KIOSK TRANSACTIONS - The current disclosure extends to facilitation of a transaction for one or more items with a customer via a kiosk. In embodiments, the kiosk is located at or proximate to a retail store. In embodiments, a customer can order products or services via an ordering platform such as a merchant website. The customer may receive an order confirmation and a unique transaction identifier. The customer may then travel to a kiosk at the store and enter the transaction identifier to recall the order. While the order is open at the kiosk, the customer may add or substitute items, order specialty items such as prescriptions or fuel, make payment, and confirm the transaction. Purchased items may then be carried out to the customer at the kiosk. | 08-06-2015 |
| 20150206225 | System and Method for Providing a Gift Exchange - In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving at least two parameters for a gift exchange from an organizer of the gift exchange. The at least two parameters can comprise a set of participants and a budget. The method further comprises identifying a gift exchange recipient for a respective participant in the set of participants, determining one or more gifts for the gift exchange recipient based at least in part on the budget and a first trust graph, and arranging for display the one or more determined gifts to the respective participant. In many embodiments, the first trust comprises levels of trust associated with the gift exchange recipient. Other embodiments also are disclosed herein. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150206211 | Systems and Methods for Trusted Gifting - In some embodiments, a method of trusted gifting comprises, identifying a first user, identifying a second user associated with an event, and determining one or more potential products for the second user according to one or more criteria. In many embodiments, the method further comprises causing at least one product of the one or more determined potential products to be purchased for the second user by the first user. Other embodiments also are disclosed herein. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150206113 | Methods and Systems for Purchasing Products via a Subscription Mechanism - In some embodiments of methods and systems of purchasing products via a subscription mechanism, a method comprises, presenting a subscription mechanism corresponding to a first user, wherein the subscription mechanism is associated with a set of products. In many embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a notification from a second user selecting the subscription mechanism corresponding to the first user, determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and causing at least a portion of the set of products associated with the subscription mechanism to be purchased by the second user. Other embodiments also are disclosed herein. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150178792 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE PRICE MATCHING OFFERS TO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS - Methods and systems for providing coupons to a customer are provided. The method may include a computer server associated with a store receiving, from a customer, an image of a receipt from a competing store. The server may identify a product on the receipt which was purchased by the customer at the competing store and a purchase price. The server may compare the product with a corresponding product sold by the store to determine if the product was purchased by the customer at the competing store for a lower price than a price at which the corresponding product is sold at the store. The server may prepare a coupon for the customer to offer the customer a discount for shopping at the store if the product was purchased by the customer at the competing store for a lower price and transmit the coupon to the customer. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150178678 | PRODUCT DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Example systems and methods for delivering products are described. In one implementation, a parcel shipped from an online merchant is received by a local merchant. A customer identity affixed to the parcel is used to identify a particular customer. Based on customer contact information, the customer is notified of receipt of the parcel by the local merchant. Upon receipt of a request to deliver the parcel from the customer, a delivery is scheduled to deliver both the parcel and a grocery order to the customer. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150178676 | Remote Delivery Systems And Methods - Example systems and methods for delivering products are described. In one implementation, a request is received from a user to deliver an order to a remote pick-up location. The order includes a first item requiring refrigeration and a second item that is temperature-independent. A method identifies multiple remote pick-up locations convenient to the user and communicates the identified locations to the user. A delivery of the order is scheduled for a particular remote pick-up location selected by the user. The user is notified of a pick-up time window to access the order at the particular remote pick-up location. An access code associated with the order is generated and communicated to the user. The access code allows the user to access the order at the particular remote pick-up location during the pick-up time window. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150178669 | Secured Delivery - The current disclosure extends to delivery of one or more items secured within a tote to a customer at a selected location by a delivery associate who may not be granted immediate access to the secured items. Embodiments of the present disclosure include an order processing module for receiving and processing transactions, an application server for transmitting instructions to an item originator, thereby directing the item originator to place the item into the tote and lock or otherwise secure the tote, and one or more user devices for conducting a video call between a verifier and the recipient. By verifying that no intermediate carrier had access to the contents of the secure tote and by verifying the identity of the recipient via the video call, it may be presumed that the chain of custody of the secured item passed directly from the item originator to the recipient. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150161706 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SHOPPING RECOMMENDATIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing shopping recommendations. Amounts and timing of user purchases are recorded and analyzed to determine consumption rates for various products. A list of recommended products is generated for a user including previous purchases. Expected runout dates for products may be determined based on previous purchases and consumption rates. The list of recommended products may be prioritized based on expected runout dates. A listing of products may be presented with one or both of validation and alternative indicators associated with items of the list. A validation indicator indicates that the product satisfies a criteria and an alternative indicator indicates that an alternative product satisfies the criteria better than the product. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150149312 | DISPLAY AN ITEM DETAIL WITH A RECEIPT SNIPPET - The present disclosure extends to displaying a portion of an image representation of a paper receipt, the image portion corresponding to a selected item from a completed transaction. In embodiments, an “eReceipt,” a digital representation of a paper receipt, is transmitted to and displayed on a customer computing device, such as an app installed on a smartphone. The eReceipt may include a list of items purchased at the transaction and additional information related to the transaction and/or items purchased. In response to the customer selecting one of the items listed on the eReceipt, a snippet of the image of the paper receipt is displayed, the snippet depicting the line item from the paper receipt that represents the selected item. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150144689 | NORMALIZING UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODES - The current disclosure extends to normalizing UPCs so the normalized UPCs can be readily compared against each other and used for item lookups in a local cache. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a UPC cache on a user's mobile device, such as a smartphone. In such embodiments, a UPC that is normalized following processes set forth in the present disclosure may act as a cache key for related product information stored in the cache. By conducting item lookups in a local cache, requests for that data can be served faster than if the data were stored on a remote server. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150142609 | IDENTIFYING CLASSES OF PRODUCT DESIRABILITY VIA FEATURE CORRELATIONS - Some embodiments include a method of identifying desirable items in a category of items based on features. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150142599 | OPTIMIZING PRODUCT FEATURES WITH RESPECT TO PRICE - Some embodiments include a method of facilitating item selection based on features. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150142591 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLABORATIVE SHOPPING - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for facilitating collaborative shopping. Notifications may be sent to remote devices in response to a shopper's device entering a store or within a given proximity to a store. Notifications may invoke or include an interface to add items to a shared shopping list. Notifications from the shopper's device may be sent in advance of a user entering a store to alert friends and family to add items to the shared shopping list. A remote device may be used to authorize and instruct the shopper's device to pick up items that have been previously purchased either automatically or in response to an input from a user of the remote device. Authorization to pick up the previously-purchased item may be transmitted to one or both of a merchant and the shopper's device. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150134487 | HTTP PARALLEL PROCESSING ROUTER - According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a router having a first I/O terminal and a second I/O terminal, wherein the first I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with at least one client via a first network, wherein the second I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with a plurality of remote servers via a second network, and wherein the router is configured to receive, at the first I/O terminal via the first network, a web services request from the at least one client, identify, based on the web services request from the at least one client, a group of the plurality of remote servers that are capable of fulfilling the web services request, and transmit, in parallel via the second I/O terminal and the to second network, the received web services request to each one of the plurality of remote servers within the group. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150127431 | Performance Evaluation System for Stores - Exemplary embodiments are generally directed to evaluating a performance of a store based on data representative of a transaction parameter for the store based on transactions at a point-of-sale terminal in the store. Exemplary embodiments can generate performance data for the store based on the transaction parameter. The performance data indicates performance of the store relative to a goal for a key performance indicator. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150127401 | System and Method for Indicating Queue Characteristics of Electronic Terminals - Exemplary embodiments are directed to electronically computing and indicating queue characteristics for electronic terminals (e.g., POS terminals) in a specified environment, such as a store. In exemplary embodiments, queue-related information from one or more sources is received, code is executed to process the queue-related information. One or more queue characteristics are identified and/or generated for active electronic terminals in a store based on the queue-related information. Indicators are programmatically associated with the active electronic terminals to indicate the queue characteristics to one or more users to assist the one or more user in selecting one of the active electronic terminals at which to enter a transaction. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150120495 | Electronic Shopping System Utilizing Multiple Configurable Item Orders - An electronic shopping system, such as an ecommerce retail website, is constructed and programmed to provide online shoppers with the ability to create and manage multiple configurable item orders contemporaneously within a single customer account. Each item in an item order is associated with a “purchase status” which can, in addition to other discrete adjustments, be toggled between “active” and “inactive” states at or before checkout. Each item order is itself configurable in respect of delivery address, payment source, frequency, and schedule. Orders and settings are saved within the customer's account to be recalled, reviewed, refined (if desired), and executed at checkout. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120475 | EXECUTING AN IN-STORE TRANSACTION - 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. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120474 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING AND PURCHASING FUEL - A system for purchasing fuel is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a local device for retrieving identification information which identifies a fuel dispensing station, the identification information containing information identifying the fuel dispensing station from which fuel is desired to be purchased, and a remote server connected with the local device. Upon receiving the identification information at the local device, the local device automatically forwards the identification information along with a unique identifier to the remote server. The remote server generates and transmits an unlock code to the fuel dispensing station. The unlock code signals the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120456 | Product Information by Consumer Movement - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, a series of position signals from a mobile electronic computing device possessed by a consumer. The method also includes the step of storing, in a product database, information about each of a plurality of products offered for sale. The method also includes the step of accessing, with the processing device, a location database to correlate each of the series of position signals with one or more particular physical locations from among a plurality of possible physical locations. The method also includes the step of storing, in a consumer movement database, the consumer's movements as defined by the one or more particular physical locations visited by the consumer. The method also includes the step of correlating, with the processing device, each of the one of the particular physical locations visited by the consumer with at least one of the plurality of products. The method also includes the step of selecting, with the processing device, a product promotion associated with the at least one of the plurality of products from the product database. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the product promotion to the mobile electronic computing device. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120454 | PRODUCT INFORMATION BY CONSUMER MOVEMENT - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, a series of position signals from a mobile electronic computing device possessed by a consumer. The method also includes the step of storing, in a product database, information about each of a plurality of products offered for sale. The method also includes the step of accessing, with the processing device, a location database to correlate each of the series of position signals with one or more particular physical locations from among a plurality of possible physical locations. The method also includes the step of storing, in a consumer movement database, the consumer's movements as defined by the one or more particular physical locations visited by the consumer. The method also includes the step of correlating, with the processing device, each of the one of the particular physical locations visited by the consumer with at least one of the plurality of products. The method also includes the step of selecting, with the processing device, a product promotion associated with the at least one of the plurality of products from the product database. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the product promotion to the mobile electronic computing device. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120452 | Product Information by Consumer Movement - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, a series of position signals from a mobile electronic computing device possessed by a consumer. The method also includes the step of storing, in a product database, information about each of a plurality of products offered for sale. The method also includes the step of accessing, with the processing device, a location database to correlate each of the series of position signals with one or more particular physical locations from among a plurality of possible physical locations. The method also includes the step of storing, in a consumer movement database, the consumer's movements as defined by the one or more particular physical locations visited by the consumer. The method also includes the step of correlating, with the processing device, each of the one of the particular physical locations visited by the consumer with at least one of the plurality of products. The method also includes the step of selecting, with the processing device, a product promotion associated with the at least one of the plurality of products from the product database. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the product promotion to the mobile electronic computing device. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING INELASTIC PRODUCTS - According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a system for identifying inelastic products, the system comprising an interface, a markdown analysis module, and a database, wherein the markdown analysis module is further configured to receive signals from each server of a plurality of retail stores including product sales information, calculate, based on the received information, the total expected markdown for each retail store, identify, based on the total expected markdown of each retail store, an outlier store that has a total expected markdown greater than a threshold, identify a sister store that has at least one similar characteristic to the outlier store and less total expected markdown than the outlier store, compare expected markdowns of the outlier store and the sister store, and identify, based on the comparison between the expected markdowns of the outlier and sister stores, at least one inelastic product in the outlier store. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150112832 | EMPLOYING A PORTABLE COMPUTERIZED DEVICE TO ESTIMATE A TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT - A computer-implemented process for determining a probable total expenditure for selected goods is described, and includes employing a portable computerized device to capture an image of a plurality of selected goods. An itemized list of probable selected products is generated based upon the image. A price is determined for each of the probable selected products, and a total probable expenditure for the itemized list of probable selected products is determined based upon the price for each of the probable selected products. The total probable expenditure is displayed on the portable computerized device. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150102903 | Secure Delivery Receptacle - A secure-delivery receptacle includes a delivered-package vault having a selectively-lockable access portal controlled, at least in part, by a control circuit that also operably couples to a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-tag reader. The RFID-tag reader serves, by one approach, to read RFID tags in the immediate vicinity of the delivered-package vault. So configured, the control circuit can, for example, verify a delivery-vector RFID tag (such as an RFID tag uniquely associated with a given delivery person) and responsively unlock the selectively-lockable access portal. Also so configured, the control circuit can verify when at least one expected package RFID tag is placed within the delivered-package vault to confirm delivery of a corresponding expected package (by, for example, sending one or more messages to the intended recipient, the delivery service, the shipping party, and so forth). | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150095291 | Identifying Product Groups in Ecommerce - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for supplementing product records with product groups that are relevant to the product records. Queries form users may be analyzed to extract keywords. Search results for keywords are evaluated to determine category consistency among product records, including such values as entropy and taxonomy depth. Those keywords with search results having adequate category consistency are selected as product groups and the search results associated with the product groups. Product groups are associated with product records according to a random walk of a graph having as nodes products and product groups and links representing belonging of a product to a product group. Product groups may be selected based on a transition probability based on a random walk and a quality score based on usage of a product group page for the product group. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150095275 | MASSIVE RULE-BASED CLASSIFICATION ENGINE - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for performing classification of documents or performing other tasks based on rules. A rule generator receives a request for a rule that will receive as an input a document and output an outcome such as a classification of the document, addition of the document to a whitelist or blacklist, or occurrence of some other outcome. The rules are applied to a document and the document and outcome of the rules are presented to a rater. A rating of the accuracy of the outcome is received from the rater and the rating is propagated to quality metrics of rules that contributed to the outcome. Rules with a quality metric above a threshold may be added to a production rule set. Rules with a quality metric below a threshold may be removed. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150095202 | Recommending Product Groups in Ecommerce - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for supplementing product records with product groups that are relevant to the product records. Queries form users may be analyzed to extract keywords. Search results for keywords are evaluated to determine category consistency among product records, including such values as entropy and taxonomy depth. Those keywords with search results having adequate category consistency are selected as product groups and the search results associated with the product groups. Product groups are associated with product records according to a random walk of a graph having as nodes products and product groups and links representing belonging of a product to a product group. Product groups may be selected based on a transition probability based on a random walk and a quality score based on usage of a product group page for the product group. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150095199 | QUICK ROUTE QUEUED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A system and computer implemented consumer time saving method includes access to a computer application resident on an user device or via a webpage to order a product or service via a wireless network by: selecting a product or service; selecting two or more stores at locations where the selected product or service is available; determining an estimated pick-up or service time at each of the selected stores; selecting one of the store locations to order the selected product or service; and ordering the selected product or service at the selected store location. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150084746 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Facilitating the Reading of RFID Tags - These teachings generally comprise interrogating RFID tags and receiving corresponding responses from various ones of these RFID tags while also receiving, from a remote source, surrogate response corresponding to at least some of the plurality of RFID tags that are not responding to the current interrogation. A corresponding plurality of end user-perceivable indications as correspond to both the responses from various ones of the plurality of RFID tags and the aforementioned surrogate responses are then provided to thereby ultimately inform an end user of the RFID tag reader with respect to a corresponding reading state as regards the plurality of RFID tags. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150081433 | SELECTION AND COMMUNICATION OF A PRODUCT PROMOTION - A disclosed method stores identities of a plurality of products offered for sale in a product database. Each identity is correlated to historical information detailing consumers' interest in the product. The method also receives a shopping request signal from an electronic computing device operated by a first consumer shopping for at least one of the products offered for sale. The method further maintains a shopping cart for the first consumer such that one or more of the products offered for sale can be cataloged for the first consumer until purchase. Additionally, the method may transmit a product promotion signal to the electronic computing device over a network. The product promotion signal contains data associated with a first product. The method also selects the first product for inclusion in the promotion signal in response to the historical information stored in the product database. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150067475 | Web Application Framework - The present disclosure extends to organizing content and logic for business processes and information technology infrastructure and facilitating collaborative content creation. Embodiments comprise an extensible web application framework having a presentation tier configurable during runtime and dynamically configurable external services for implementation of business rules. Implementations of the present disclosure may integrate with virtually any external content management system. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be deployed as a model-view-controller (“MVC”) framework pattern. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150067474 | Web Application Framework - The present disclosure extends to organizing content and logic for business processes and information technology infrastructure and facilitating collaborative content creation. Embodiments comprise an extensible web application framework having a presentation tier configurable during runtime and dynamically configurable external services for implementation of business rules. Implementations of the present disclosure may integrate with virtually any external content management system. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be deployed as a model-view-controller (“MVC”) framework pattern. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150067473 | WEB APPLICATION FRAMEWORK - The present disclosure extends to organizing content and logic for business processes and information technology infrastructure and facilitating collaborative content creation. Embodiments comprise an extensible web application framework having a presentation tier configurable during runtime and dynamically configurable external services for implementation of business rules. Implementations of the present disclosure may integrate with virtually any external content management system. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be deployed as a model-view-controller (“MVC”) framework pattern. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150066802 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO FACILITATE MESSAGING TO CUSTOMERS - Techniques for providing notifications to a customer shopping at a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include providing a wireless network in a brick and mortar store, using a customer mobile electronic device to detect network identification data of the wireless network, and using a communications module to determine, from the network identification data, the location of the mobile electronic device within the brick and mortar store. The techniques also include a server selecting, based on the location of the mobile electronic device within the brick and mortar store, a notification which is related to a location within the brick and mortar store and transmitting the notification to the mobile electronic device. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150052003 | Providing Personalized Item Recommendations Using Scalable Matrix Factorization With Randomness - Some embodiments include a method of providing personalized item recommendations using scalable matrix factorization with randomness. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150046289 | Personal Merchandise Cataloguing System with Item Tracking and Social Network Functionality - An online personal merchandise cataloguing system is equipped with integrated item tracking and hosted (or imported) social network functionality. The system comprises an internet application with a supporting backend network, the pertinent configuration and operation of both being substantially under the control of an individual retailer. Accessible through an internet browser or a smartphone “app”, the internet application is configured to provide a user with means for listing or otherwise cataloguing items of merchandise. In combination with and supported by the retailer's backend computer network, the internet application enables the user to share his online catalog with an extrinsic social network and to track cataloged items. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150046227 | INVENTORY DEPLOYMENT OPTIMIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for optimizing a flow network. In the method, a computer system may obtain first data characterizing supply sites, demand sites, and lanes of a distribution network. The computing system may also obtain second data characterizing supply and demand for an item distributed within the distribution network. Using the first and second data, a computer system may determine a maximum possible flow of the item within the distribution network. Subsequently, the computer system may use the maximum possible flow as a benchmark in determining which lanes of the distribution network are required to achieve the maximum possible flow and which lanes of the distribution network are redundant lanes. From among a remaining set of required, non-redundant lanes, a computer system may select a lowest cost solution for achieving the maximum possible flow. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150039452 | Consolidated Retailer-Operated Electronic Payment System - A consolidated electronic payment system operated by a retailer exclusively for its customers is disclosed. Otherwise independent and limited authentication and payment resources are consolidated within the unified system, facilitating broader access at retail checkout to several payment instruments. System functions are executed jointly by a customer-facing checkout facility and backend network resources comprising an authentication agent and a payment processor. Individual customers registered within the system are assigned a primary customer account, which is recorded within the network's data storage facility. Associated with these accounts are all available payment instruments and certain existing authentication accounts. For retail transactions, personal identification information and payment instructions submitted by the customer are transmitted to the network from checkout, with pertinent authentication and payment signals generated and transmitted back in response thereto. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150032874 | COMPUTER DATA VOLUME TRACKER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and computer implemented method for use with an user device in communications with an enterprise system (ES) in a workplace, includes: tracking data volume and usage times, via a data volume tracker application, of one or more enterprise software applications in the user device; storing the data volume, duration of usage times and actual date and time of usage in a memory wherein the data volume tracker application differentiates the stored data transferred to and from each service provider, for each connection type and for each of the enterprise software applications; and periodically reporting the stored data to a central computer of the ES, wherein the data volume tracker application, the enterprise software applications and the memory are each resident on the user device. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20140358771 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLUSTERING OF CUSTOMERS USING TRANSACTION PATTERNS - Example systems and methods for clustering of customers using patterns in their transactions are described. In one implementation, a method receives customer information that includes at least a plurality of customer identifications and a plurality of payment options associated with a plurality of customers. The method identifies a subset of payment options, from among the payment options, and a subset of customer identifications, from among the customer identifications, such that each payment option of the subset of payment options is associated with more than one customer identification of the subset of customer identifications. The method then classifies each customer identification of the subset of customer identifications as either of one of more than one of the customer identifications associated with a single one of the customers or one of more than one of the customer identifications associated with more than one of the customers who are related to each other. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140327524 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PERTAINING TO PRECONFIGURING IN FACILITATING THE READING OF RFID TAGS - Some embodiments provide methods to facilitate reading a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising: receiving, within a RFID tag reader, identification information corresponding to one or more RFID tags of interest; interrogating a plurality of RFID tags while the RFID tag reader is not in communication with a remote processor; receiving multiple corresponding RFID tag responses from the RFID tags; evaluating at the RFID tag reader each of the multiple RFID tag responses relative to the identification information; identifying, as a function of the evaluating, a plurality of RFID tags of interest; and producing, at the RFID tag reader, end user-perceivable indications corresponding to at least one RFID tag response from each of the RFID tags of interest to thereby inform an end user with respect to a corresponding reading state as regards to the plurality of RFID tags. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140325474 | Annotation-Based Item Description - Example systems and methods that provide annotations of item descriptions are described. In one implementation, a method accesses data associated with an item and identifies multiple attributes associated with the item. The method further generates a Java class associated with the item and annotates the Java class to include the attributes associated with the item. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140325332 | Managing Annotation-Based Item Descriptions - Example systems and methods that provide annotations of item descriptions are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request to display an item attribute associated with an item. The method accesses an annotated description associated with the item and identifies a rule associated with the item. The rule is applied to the annotated description to determine whether to display the requested item attribute. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324906 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FOCUSED MULTI-BLOCKING TO INCREASE LINK IDENTIFICATION RATES IN RECORD COMPARISON - Techniques for comparing customer records to identify linked customer records pertaining to a single customer entity are provided. The techniques include identifying a target group of electronic customer records having data fields containing data pertaining to a customer, identifying one or more focused blockers identifying a data value for an electronic customer record data field, and analyzing the target group of electronic customer records to identify a focused group of electronic customer records containing the focused blocker data value. The techniques also include comparing pairs of electronic customer records from the focused group of electronic customer records to identify linked records which pertain to a single customer entity. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324897 | Decision Tree With Just-In-Time Nodal Computations - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing a large number of records. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and a decision tree. The decision tree may include a distinction node corresponding to a distinction requiring completion of a computation. Due to the fact that the computation may be, in the overall context of the process, computationally expensive, it may initially be left uncomputed. Accordingly, if the distinction node is never reached when records are being processed, no computation time gets wasted. However, if and when the distinction node is reached, the computer system may complete the computation and make the distinction based on results of the computation. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324871 | DECISION-TREE BASED QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RECORD CLASSIFICATION - Systems and methods are disclosed for classifying records by sorting records based on both quantitative and qualitative information at a node in a decision tree. Technologies are also disclosed for determining whether records are linked together by applying quantitative and qualitative information at the same nodes in a decision tree. Furthermore, improvements to decision trees are disclosed in terms of the generation and/or training of decision trees that harnesses additional information in the quantitative and qualitative aspects that a unit of data relevant to a single node, and/or the relationships between these aspects, may provide a machine learning algorithm. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324861 | Block Partitioning For Efficient Record Processing In Parallel Computing Environment - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing a large number of records. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and count the number of records thereof corresponding to each block of a plurality of blocks. The computer system may also identify a plurality of partitions corresponding to selected blocks of the plurality of blocks. Each partition of the plurality of partitions may be substantially uniform in processing time. The computer system may then distribute a workload associated with a block or partition to each node of a plurality of nodes contained within the computer system. Each node may then process the block or partition in parallel such that each node completes the processing within a selected period of time. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324853 | SEARCH RELEVANCE - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for improving search relevance. In one implementation, a method identifies a first group of mappings generated for dominant queries associated with a query log. The method also identifies a second group of mappings that includes mappings between a first set of queries and categories shown for the first set of queries, and mappings between a second set of queries and clicked products for the second set of queries. Upon receipt of a query, the method applies the second group of mappings for the received query if the category mappings for the received query are in the second group of mappings. Alternatively, the method applies the first group of mappings for the received query if the category mappings for the received query are in the first group of mappings but not in the second group of mappings. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324852 | Classifying Queries To Generate Category Mappings - Example systems and methods that classify queries to generate category mappings are described. In one implementation, a method mines a query log to identify query records with click through information and display information that indicate one or more products were selected or displayed within a specified date range. A category is associated with each of the products. The method calculates a display rate and a selection rate for any product selected or displayed among the products. A mapping is identified between queries and the shown categories, and between queries and the clicked products. A category score is calculated for a particular category based on a number of times the category is shown and a number of times the category is clicked. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324851 | CLASSIFYING E-COMMERCE QUERIES TO GENERATE CATEGORY MAPPINGS FOR DOMINANT PRODUCTS - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for classifying e-commerce queries to generate category mappings for dominant products. A query log is mined for any query records with click through information that indicates one or more products were selected from among corresponding query results. For each of one or more categories, a selection rate is calculated for any product selected from among at least one corresponding query result returned in response to a query of the category. A specified top number of products are identified in the category. The specified top number of products has higher selection rates relative to other products in the category. A category score is calculated for the category based on product information associated with the specified top number of products in the category. The one or more categories are ranked based on the calculated category scores. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324847 | Training A Classification Model To Predict Categories - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for training a classification model to predict categories. In one implementation, a method identifies category mappings generated for dominant queries associated with a query log. The method identifies mappings between a first set of queries and categories shown for the first set of queries, and identifies mappings between a second set of queries and clicked products for the second set of queries. A classification model is trained based on the mappings generated for dominant queries, the mappings between queries and the shown categories, and the mappings between queries and the clicked products. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324790 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-BLOCK OVERLAP-DETECTION IN A PARALLEL ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION - Techniques for avoiding duplicate comparisons while comparing customer records to identify linked customer records pertaining to a single customer entity are provided. The techniques include the computer system comparing a first electronic customer record with a second electronic customer record to determine if the first electronic customer record and the second electronic customer record pertain to a single customer entity if the computer system identifies a common blocker key corresponding to a selected blocker from a data field in the first electronic customer record and from a data field in the second electronic customer record and if the computer system does not identify a common blocker key corresponding to an additional lower order blocker from another data field in the first electronic customer record and from a data field in the second electronic customer record. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324756 | DECISION TREE WITH SET-BASED NODAL COMPARISONS - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing set-based attributes. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and a decision tree. The decision tree may include a distinction node corresponding to a comparison of two attributes. The distinction node may have a match path and a no match path extending therefrom. After arriving at the distinction node, the computer system may initiate a process wherein each member of a first set corresponding to a first of the two attributes is to be compared to each member of a second set corresponding to a second of the two attributes. The computer system may depart the distinction node via the match path after the process reveals that at least one member of the first set matches at least one member of the second set. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324744 | Decision Tree With Compensation For Previously Unseen Data - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing records with unseen data. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and a decision tree generated in a learning process. The decision tree may include a distinction node having multiple paths extending therefrom. After arriving at the distinction node with one or more records, the computer system may determine that the one or more records correspond to data of a type not seen by the distinction node in the learning process. Thereafter, the computer system may depart the distinction node via each of the multiple paths and eventually reach multiple leaf nodes of the decision tree. Each of the multiple leaf nodes may correspond to a probability distribution. Accordingly, the computer system may combine the probability distribution of each of the multiple leaf nodes to obtain a hybrid probability distribution corresponding to the one or more records. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324740 | Ontology-Based Attribute Extraction From Product Descriptions - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for obtaining a structured listing of attributes and corresponding values based on an unstructured document, such as a product description in a product record. Putative values are identified in the document and corresponding candidate attributes are identified in a taxonomy. Attribute-value pairs are then evaluated with respect to a plurality of rules. Attribute-value pairs and outputs of the one or more rules are evaluated using a machine-learning algorithm, such as a decision tree, in order to determine which attribute-value pairs to retain. Retained attribute-value pairs are stored and used to respond to search queries and facilitate comparison of products. Attributes selected may also be used to update a product template. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324524 | EVOLVING A CAPPED CUSTOMER LINKAGE MODEL USING GENETIC MODELS - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for determining customer linkages between a plurality of customer profiles having corresponding attribute pairs for comparison. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324523 | Missing String Compensation In Capped Customer Linkage Model - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for determining customer linkages between a plurality of customer profiles and providing missing cost values in the attribute fields. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140320271 | Apparatus and Method Pertaining to Switching RFID Transceiver Read States - An apparatus (such as but not limited to an RFID tag) includes an RFID transceiver that is configured to automatically switch from a readable state to a quiescent read state upon being read and to remain in the quiescent read state at least while provisioned with reader-based power. The apparatus further includes a read-state changer disposed locally with respect to the RFID transceiver and configured to switch the RFID transceiver from the quiescent read state to the readable state notwithstanding current availability of the reader-based power. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140320269 | Apparatus and Method Pertaining to Conveying Information Via an RFID Transceiver - An RFID transceiver and RFID-tag reader cooperate to convey information from one to the other and further accommodate the RFID-tag reader transmitting information to the RFID transceiver that causes a modification of information presented via the RFID transceiver. By one approach an RFID-tag reader detects a circumstance that evidences a particular status as pertains to a particular item of such information in a given RFID transceivers. An RFID-tag reader can then serve to modify the information at the corresponding RFID transceiver. By one approach, the aforementioned information comprises a to-do list. The aforementioned modification can comprise modifying at least one to-do item in that to-do list. The aforementioned detection of a circumstance can comprise detecting a physical location of the given RFID transceiver. That location information can be compared to locations that correspond to specific to-do items in the list to identify correlations that evidence completion of specific to-do items. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140316901 | Automated Limited-Time Retail Merchandise Promotion System - A computer-automated system is disclosed for promoting specifiable items of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for specifiable time periods. The automated promotion system enables a customer with an appropriately configured mobile device to avail of promotional prompts within the shopping facility electronically (i.e., within the specified time period), substantiating redemption of a related benefit at checkout (i.e., within or beyond the specified time period). The system has three principal components: a source, a node, and a checkpoint. The source enables a retailer to script the parameters of the promotion (e.g., the duration, benefit, and relevant merchandise). The node—preferably, an electronic shelf label—provides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the source. The checkpoint consummates the promotion. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140314311 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLASSIFICATION WITH EFFECTIVE USE OF MANUAL DATA INPUT - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for classifying records, such as product records, using a machine learning algorithm. After training a classification model according to a machine learning algorithm using an initial training set, records are classified and high confidence classifications identified. Remaining classifications are submitted to a crowdsourcing forum that validates or invalidates the classifications or marks them as to unclear to evaluate. Invalidated classifications are automatically analyzed to identify one or both of classification values and categories having a high proportion of invalidated classifications. Requests are transmitted to analysts to generate training data that is added to the training set. The process of classifying records and obtaining crowdsourced validation thereof may then repeat. High confidence classifications may be identified using an accuracy model trained to relate an accuracy percentage to a confidence score output by the classification model. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140310270 | RELEVANCE-BASED CUTOFF FOR SEARCH RESULTS - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for cutting off listings or search results. In the method, a computer system may receive a query from a client computer. In response to the query, the computer system may compile listings ranked according to corresponding relevance scores. Thereafter, the computer system may calculate a cutoff score that is less than a maximum relevance score corresponding to the listings. For example, the computer system may calculate a cutoff score by multiplying a maximum relevance score corresponding to the listings by a weighting. In selected embodiments, the weighting may be greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5. The computer system may then serve to the client computer as a response to the query a subset of the listings. The subset may comprise those listings corresponding to a relevance score greater than the cutoff score. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140310084 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING A PURCHASE OF SELECTED PRODUCTS OR SERVICES - A system for issuing financial rewards may include a payer/partner module including at least one computer processor configured to receive payer/partner identification information from a payer/partner and a payer/partner account module configured to create a payer/partner account based at least in part on the payer/partner identification information. The system may also include a programming module configured to receive programming information to create one or more program profiles for the payer/partner account and a products or services module configured to create a list of products or services for a financial reward device associated with the one or more program profiles of the payer/partner, wherein the financial reward device is configured to receive financial rewards for purchasing a product or service on the list of products or services associated with the one or more program profiles. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140306808 | RFID READER LOCATION SELF-DISCOVERY - A system and method of determining the location of a RFID reader is disclosed. The system comprises a first RFID reader, and at least one other RFID reader, and a processor. The RFID readers associate unique RFID tag information with at least one antenna that reads the information. The processor receives RFID data from the first RFID reader and the at least one other RFID reader and determines the location of the first RFID reader relative to the at least one other RFID reader based on the association of unique RFID tag information with at least one antenna of at least two readers. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140304059 | Systems and Methods for Price Matching and Comparison - A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140297630 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RE-RANKING SEARCH RESULTS IN A PRODUCT SEARCH ENGINE - Techniques for providing improved search results for queries are provided. The techniques include a server receiving a query from a customer and identifying a number of product listings corresponding to the query according to relevance scores. The techniques also include identifying a signal associated with each of the product listings, calculating a signal score from a relevance score and a signal value for each of the product listings, creating query results comprising the number of product listings ordered according to the signal score, and transmitting the query results to the customer. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140297570 | System And Method For High Accuracy Product Classification With Limited Supervision - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for classifying records, such as product records, using a machine learning algorithm. After training a classification model according to a machine learning algorithm using an initial training set, records are classified and high confidence classifications identified. Remaining classifications are submitted to a crowdsourcing forum that validates or invalidates the classifications or marks them as to unclear to evaluate. Invalidated classifications are automatically analyzed to identify one or both of classification values and categories having a high proportion of invalidated classifications. Requests are transmitted to analysts to generate training data that is added to the training set. The process of classifying records and obtaining crowdsourced validation thereof may then repeat. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289211 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOLVING SEARCH QUERY AMBIGUITY IN A PRODUCT SEARCH ENGINE - Techniques for providing improved search results for queries are provided. The techniques include obtaining a candidate pair from a query log comprising a single word unigram and a two word bigram which expresses the same content as the unigram, receive customer interaction data from the query log for the unigram and the bigram, and determining if the candidate pair includes a dominant form, equivalent form, or un-comparable pair. The techniques also include creating a rule regarding treatment of the unigram or bigram in analyzing a query. The techniques further include receiving a query, analyzing the query to identify modified query results according to the rule, and presenting the query results. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140289210 | RE-RANKING RESULTS IN A SEARCH - The present disclosure is directed to positioning a new item in search results that may additionally include previously-released items. Items in a search result may be ranked by popularity scores. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a new item may receive a popularity score boost to compensate for that item's relative lack of history in comparison to the previously-released items. Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize outside data sources to rank the items. Outside data sources may include social media, knowledge bases, and like platforms to leverage available outside data to complement internal data. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140280337 | ATTRIBUTE DETECTION - The present disclosure is directed to computer-implemented methods and systems for identifying an attribute and/or attribute value in a text string. In embodiments, the text string comprises a search query submitted by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure include identifying an attribute value from a search query by comparing the search query string to a list of known attribute values and comparing the candidate attribute value to a knowledge base to confirm that the string represents an attribute value rather than a non-attribute concept. In embodiments, a Bloom filter is employed to execute a relatively efficient comparison between a candidate attribute value and known non-attribute concepts. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140280201 | ATTRIBUTE DETECTION - The present disclosure is directed to computer-implemented methods and systems for identifying an attribute and/or attribute value in a text string. In embodiments, the text string comprises a search query submitted by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure include identifying an attribute value from a search query by comparing the search query string to a list of known attribute values and comparing the candidate attribute value to a knowledge base to confirm that the string represents an attribute value rather than a non-attribute concept. In embodiments, a Bloom filter is employed to execute a relatively efficient comparison between a candidate attribute value and known non-attribute concepts. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140280112 | SEARCH RESULT RANKING BY DEPARTMENT - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Past queries are analyzed and grouped into clusters according to similarities with one another. For an individual query, relevant search results are identified and departments corresponding thereto are also identified. Confidence scores are determined for the identified departments and if one or more departments have confidence scores above a threshold, the search results are filtered based thereon. If not, then departments corresponding to a query cluster relevant to the query are selected. Additional departments may also be selected based on the number of search results corresponding to the additional departments. Search results filtered according to one or more selected departments are transmitted to an author of the query. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140280082 | ATTRIBUTE-BASED DOCUMENT SEARCHING - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Tokens of a query are identified. Product records including one or more tokens in values associated with the attributes thereof are identified. A score is generated for attributes of products including a token (an attribute-token score). The attribute-token score is based on a frequency of occurrence of the token in the attribute value and a length of the attribute value in which it occurs. The attribute-token scores for the token are summed to generated a score. The token score for a token may be scaled in a non-linear fashion such that the scaled value approaches a saturation value, which may be an inverse document frequency (IDF) score for the token. The scaled values may then be summed to generate a score for the document that is used to rank the search results. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140280033 | RULE TRIGGERING FOR SEARCH RULE ENGINE - A computer-implemented system and method of executing search queries by a search rule engine is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a search engine that may evaluate an arbitrary number of rule triggering conditions with constant run-time complexity, which may result in increased efficiency and faster searching relative to traditional search rule engine methods. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279886 | INCREMENTALLY UPDATING A LARGE KEY-VALUE STORE - The present disclosure extends to incrementally updating a database in a production environment in a way that maintains data freshness and allows for high priority updates for critical changed values and regular updates for noncritical changed values in the database. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279660 | OVERNIGHT PRODUCTIVITY DASHBOARD - A freight processing system includes a programmable processor, and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory has stored thereon computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to access a database holding freight data representing each of a plurality of freight units scheduled to be shipped to a receiving site in a single truck load, the database being operatively coupled to the processor, assess the freight data using a set of business rules, assign a priority to each of the freight units based at least in part on the assessment of the freight data, calculate a workload estimate representing an amount of time to be allocated for processing all of the freight units at the receiving site based at least in part on the set of business rules, and generate report data representing: the priority assigned to each respective freight unit, and the workload estimate. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279441 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAVING A REMAINDER OF CASH TRANSACTIONS - Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems, methods and non-transitory computer storage mediums for storage of a remainder of at least one cash transaction. The exemplary systems, methods and non-transitory computer storage mediums include an electronically stored consumer account, an electronic payment terminal, and a transaction processing system. The transaction processing system is communicatively linked to the consumer account and the electronic payment terminal for directing saving a value of the remainder of the at least one cash transaction from the electronic payment terminal to the consumer account. Exemplary embodiments are further directed to methods of storing a remainder of at least one cash transaction and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for a processing device for implementing the exemplary methods. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279269 | System and Method for Order Processing Using Customer Location Information - Exemplary embodiments are directed to electronic order processing of items in an electronic commerce environment. A geographic boundary associated with a physical location of a retail entity can be implemented using, for example, a geo-fence. An order for an item from the retail location can be received by a customer and a notification prioritizing processing of the order can be generated based on a location of the user relative to the geographic boundary. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279251 | SEARCH RESULT RANKING BY BRAND - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. For an individual query, relevant search results are identified and brands corresponding thereto are also identified. Brands are then ranked according to the popularity and representation in the search results. Popularity may be a function of click-through rate for results corresponding to a brand as well as a function of sales and cultural popularity. One or more brands are selected according to the ranking. Search results filtered according to one or more selected brands are transmitted to an author of the query. Results may be transmitted with interface elements for selecting a brand to invoke display of search results belonging to a brand. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279241 | Electronic Product Information Retrieval Environment - Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing product information from disparate sources in an electronic product information retrieval environment. An electronic product search request can be received from a user and product specific information returned in response to the search request can be used by exemplary embodiments to programmatically constructs one or more electronic requests for information from one or more disparate data sources to retrieve inventory information, logistic information, and/or product location information corresponding the products identified in the product specific information. A graphical user interface can be generated by exemplary embodiments providing an integrated and formatted view of the product specific information, the inventory information, and the product location information for display. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278924 | SELECTIVELY ALTERING REQUESTS BASED ON COMPARISON OF POTENTIAL VALUE OF REQUESTS - The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively altering the processing of a request based on a potential value of the request. When an undesirably high number of requests are being received by a server system, the server system can identify requests that have a potential value greater than a potential value of one or more other requests. The server system can then alter the processing of the requests having the lower potential value thereby ensuring that requests with higher potential value are processed adequately. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278903 | Price Comparison Systems and Methods - Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278902 | Return Processing Systems And Methods For A Price Comparison System - Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A return transaction record and updated record may be generated in response to the assigning of credits, the updated record listing as a purchase price the original price for each item less a credit assigned for that item. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278901 | Donation Processing Systems And Methods For A Price Comparison System - Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A portion of the credit may be donated to a donee. Third party donations associated with a product purchased in a transaction may also be assigned to a donee. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278883 | Fraud Prevention Systems And Methods For A Price Comparison System - Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278797 | ATTRIBUTE-BASED-CATEGORICAL-POPULARITY-ASSIGNMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD - A system is disclosed for determining the popularity of elements within categorized data according to a category to which they pertain based on the popularity of element attributes. The categorized data may be a list of products, where the elements may be products classified by product categories and the attributes may be brand names. Key words may be associated with such brands and/or their products. The key words may be words used when referring to the brands and/or their products with respect to their product category. These key words may be applied to additional data from an external source providing an on-line service, where service user-text is recorded in the additional data. Popularity scores may then be assigned to the products based on indications of references to the brands and/or their products, with respect to their product category, derived from the application of the key words to the additional data. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278627 | FLEXIBLE STORE FULFILLMENT - Aspects described herein relate to a flexible order fulfillment management system that utilizes predefined fulfillment workflows including common business processes. By utilizing predefined workflows including common business processes, the order fulfillment management system is able to drive store-based fulfillment programs efficiently as multiple fulfillment workflows may utilize the same common business processes and a single fulfillment management system may operate workflows in parallel. In addition, such an order fulfillment management system may also be more easily adapted for different retail store environments as the system allows a designer to easily create or modify a fulfillment workflow by selecting predefined common business processes or creating any additional custom business processes. Another aspect described herein relates to a tool that allows a designer of an order fulfillment program to select from a group of predefined common business processes to create workflows associated with an order fulfillment program. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266956 | WIDE ANGLE PLANAR ANTENNA ASSEMBLY - Exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure are related to an antenna system including radiating elements and reflectors. The reflectors can be disposed with respect to the radiating elements to reflect radiation from the radiating elements to generate a coverage area that exceeds the coverage area generated by the radiating elements without the reflectors. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266685 | ALARM PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of processing alarms, including a processor receiving machine-readable alarm information having a plurality of formats from a plurality of facility monitoring systems. The processor converting the machine-readable alarm information into normalized machine-readable event information having a common format and being free of vendor-specific alarm information, the normalized event information representing an exception condition detected by at least one of the plurality of monitoring systems. The method further includes the providing by the processor via a user interface, user access to the normalized event information independently of the alarm information. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266632 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to RFID Tag-Based User Assertions - An apparatus includes a display and one or more user-assertable surfaces. When asserted by a user, such a surface selectively couples a corresponding near-field RFID tag to a far-field component such that information stored by the near-field RFID tag is transmitted via the far-field component. The display, in turn, presents at least some information that the apparatus receives via an RFID transceiver. Depending upon the design this RFID transceiver can be the same as the aforementioned near-field RFID tag or can comprise a different RFID tag (such as but not limited to a far-field RFID tag). By one approach the aforementioned user-assertable surfaces comprise discrete push buttons. When the far-field component comprises a far-field antenna, asserting such a push button can serve to place the corresponding near-field RFID tag into operable proximity to the far-field antenna. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266621 | AUTOMATIC SELF-LEARNING RFID READER CONFIGURATOR - According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of managing inventory performed by a processor includes receiving in a digital or analog format, from a first computing device, a first request for first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag data associated with a first plurality of RFID tags and receiving in a digital or analog format, from a second computing device, a second request for second RFID tag data associated with a second plurality of RFID tags. In response to the first request and the second request, the method further includes automatically selecting a selected one of a first interrogation mode and a second interrogation mode based on the first request and the second request, and automatically transmitting configuration information to an RFID reader to operate in the selected interrogation mode. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266618 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to the Use of Group RFID Tag Information - A plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for corresponding items are read as a group to provide corresponding group information. This group information is used to determine whether at least some of the corresponding items are loose inventory. If desired, a confidence rating as corresponds to this determination can be determined and even displayed. These teachings can then provide for assigning a physical location within a given facility to each of at least some of these items based upon that determination. And again, if desired, a corresponding confidence rating can be determined and displayed as appropriate. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266617 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Use of Multiple Sessions with RFID Tags - At a facility having a first area and a second area that is at least substantially non-overlapping with the first area, these teachings provide for using at least a first RFID-tag reader to read RFID tags in a first inventory state in the first area using a first session protocol while also contemporaneously using a second session protocol to cause the RFID-tag reader to cause RFID tags in the first area to switch to that first inventory state. In a similar manner these teachings also provide for using a second RFID-tag reader to read RFID tags in the first inventory state in the second area using the second session protocol while also contemporaneously using the first session protocol to cause RFID tags in the second area to switch to the first inventory state. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266616 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Monitoring Item Source Locations - One maintains a first historical record that correlates each of a plurality of items that each have a unique identifier with one of a plurality of locations with a facility. Upon then determining that a given one of those items is leaving the facility (for example, by detecting that the item is literally exiting a building that comprises the facility and/or that the item is being purchased), that item's unique identifier and that first historical record are used to update a second historical record with respect to which locations within the facility are moving which items. By one approach the aforementioned unique identifier can comprise an electronic product code as comprises a part of a corresponding RFID tag. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266615 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to the Use of Statistics-Based RFID-Tag Information - A control circuit has access to coverage information that maps the coverage area for each of a plurality of RFID-tag readers to physical locations within a given monitored facility. The control circuit then uses those readers to read, over time, a population of RFID tags and to store historical-read information comprising corresponding RFID-system metrics along with tag-specific information and corresponding timestamps regarding when the reads occurred. The control circuit uses that historical-read information as corresponds to a given period of time and the aforementioned coverage information to determine sub-groups of the population of RFID tags and then uses the historical-read information to calculate at least one aggregated RFID-system metric on a sub-group level basis for at least some of the sub-groups. The control circuit can use the aggregated RFID-system metric to determine the location of a particular RFID tag by comparing that metric to read-based information regarding that RFID tag. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266614 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Installation of an RFID-Tag Reader System - One or more RFID-tag readers are operably coupled to one or more RFID-tag reader antennas that are installed to primarily read RFID tags in a given hallway. Accordingly, at least a majority of the area within storage spaces that border the given hallway are without sufficient reader energy to power those RFID tags. Accordingly, many, most, or even all of the items that are stored in the storage space will receive insufficient reader energy to power their corresponding RFID tags. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266608 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PERTAINING TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF PHYSICAL-LOCAL DISCREPANCIES IN STATISTICS-BASED RFID-TAG INFORMATION - These teachings are suitable for use in conjunction with a process having access to both coverage information that maps the coverage area for each of a plurality of RFID-tag readers to physical locations within a given monitored facility and historical-read information for a population of RFID tags, and that uses that historical-read information and that coverage information to automatically determine the physical location of RFID tags. In particular, these teachings generally provide for accessing supplemental information regarding physical locations for at least some of those RFID tags and then comparing the automatically-determined physical location information with the supplemental information to thereby identify physical-location discrepancies. By one approach those physical-location discrepancies are used to adjust the automated process by which the automatically-determined physical location information is automatically determined to thereby improve accuracy of the automated process. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263636 | DISCREPANCY ANALYSIS OF RFID READS TO DETERMINE LOCATIONS - According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of managing inventory includes receiving, at an antenna operatively coupled to a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, product identification information encoded in an RF signal transmitted by a plurality of RFID tags. Each of the RFID tags is associated with a respective one of a plurality of products. The method further includes processing, by a processor and using the product identification information, information contained in a portion of the encoded RF signal to compare apparent location information associated with the RFID reader with prior location information associated with at least one of the products, and updating, by the processor, the apparent location information to match the prior location information where the apparent location information is different than the prior location information. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263635 | ORPHANED PRODUCT STRAY ANALYSIS USING RFID - A computer-implemented method of managing inventory includes receiving, at an antenna operatively coupled to a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, product identification information encoded in an RF signal transmitted by a plurality of RFID tags. Each of the RFID tags is associated with a respective one of a plurality of products. The method further includes processing, by a processor, the product identification information contained in a portion of the encoded RF signal to identify a characteristic associated with each of the products, and identifying, by the processor using the product identification information, one of the products having a characteristic different from another one of the products. The method may include identifying a majority of the products having a characteristic in common based on the product identification information, and identifying at least one of the products having a characteristic different from the majority. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263603 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Use of Both Optical and Electronic Product Codes - A control circuit accesses information regarding both scanned optical product codes as correspond to items being purchased in a given transaction as well as read electronic product codes as correspond to items being purchased in that same transaction. The control circuit then compares that information to identify discrepancies. An example of a discrepancy of likely interest includes noting items for which there is a read electronic product code but not a corresponding scanned optical product code and vice versa. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140258330 | SEARCH RESULT RANKING USING QUERY CLUSTERING - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Past queries are analyzed and grouped into clusters according to similarities, with each query including a highly relevant head query and a plurality of tail queries. Similarity of queries may be determined based on user response similarity to query results, co-occurrence, and textual similarity. One or more categories are identified for the clusters, such as based on click-through rates for search results of the head queries of the clusters. Upon receiving a query, a cluster for the query is identified, such as according to similarity to one or more queries of the cluster. The categories associated with the cluster are then used to one or both of augment the query and rank search results for the query. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140258277 | FACET GROUP RANKING FOR SEARCH RESULTS - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing search results, particularly product records from a product database. Products records have facet groups associated therewith and facet groups have probabilities associated therewith indicating the usefulness of the facet group as a way of organizing or filtering search results. For a query, relevant product records are identified. For facet groups present among the relevant product records entropy values are calculated based on a distribution of values for the attribute defining the facet group. The entropy value increases as the distribution of values becomes more uniform. The facet group probability and entropy value are combined to assign a score to the facet groups. The facet groups are ranked and selected according to the score and search results are presented with indicators of the facet groups to enable a user to manage the search results. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140258050 | Store Feature Item Finder - A system and method of selecting items from an inventory for stocking a display in an enterprise includes receiving a request over a network from a user device to stock a display in the enterprise with items. A type of the display is ascertained. Inventory is analyzed to determine one or more types of items that are available in the inventory and suitable, based on one or more selection criteria, for stocking the type of the display. A response to the request is sent to the user device identifying, based on the analysis of the inventory, each type of item determined to be available in the inventory and suitable for stocking the display. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140257883 | ENTERPRISE RESOURCE SEARCH AND RESERVATION SYSTEM - Exemplary embodiments are directed to reserving physical resources in an enterprise via an electronic reservation environment. An electronic search request for an availability of one or more resources in an enterprise is received from a user through a web page and/or a mobile application and is submitted to a reservation engine. The search request includes one or more resource search parameters received via a graphical user interface associated with the electronic reservation environment. A result identifying resources that satisfy the resource search parameters in the request is received in response to the search request and an electronic metadata request is automatically submitted in response to receipt of the result. The electronic metadata request including resource identifiers corresponding to the resources identified in the result. Metadata corresponding to the resources identified in the result is received and an identity of the resources returned in the result, an availability of the resources, and the metadata associated with the resources is displayed to the user. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140244641 | HOLISTIC CUSTOMER RECORD LINKAGE VIA PROFILE FINGERPRINTS - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for linking customer profiles in a customer profile database. Customer profile data are transformed from text data to large, sparse bit sets. The bit sets are then clustered into clusters based on similarities between the bit sets. Evaluation and analysis of customer profiles within clusters permit linking of customer profiles that exhibit selected degrees of similarity. This technology is both fast and accurate, and it preserves confidentiality of customer information by converting text data to bit sets. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244633 | RELEVANCE-WEIGHTED ATTRIBUTE SORTING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for sorting listings or search results. In the method, a computer system may receive a query from a client computer. The computer system may respond to the query with listings ranked according to corresponding relevance scores. Thereafter, the computer system may receive a request to sort the listings according to some numeric attribute (e.g., price) corresponding thereto. Accordingly, the computer system may calculate a modified sorting criterion for each of the listings. Each modified sorting criterion may be weighted by both the original relevance score and the numeric attribute of the corresponding listing. The computer system may then serve, to the client computer, the listings ranked according to the modified sorting criteria. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244432 | E-Commerce System with Personal Price Points - An ecommerce system is disclosed that uses personal price points (alone or in combination with other buying criteria) to trigger certain automated retail transactions. The system includes a customer interface engineered to allow a customer to either buy merchandise in accordance with retailer-defined selling criteria (including at least an “offered price point”) or to tag merchandise with customer-definable buying criteria (including at least an “acceptable price point”). Computational comparisons of the criteria are executed periodically to determine changes that may occur, for example, with sales, price reductions, and “rollbacks”. If a match or other suitable computed relationship is found, an automated retail transaction—such as the transmission of an electronic notification to a customer's email address or smartphone number—is executed. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244416 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO FACILITATE THE ADDITION OF ITEMS TO AN ELECTRONIC ITEM CATALOG - Techniques for allowing a vendor to provide item information for an item to be sold through an online or a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include receiving first item information from a vendor relating to an item which is to be included in an electronic item catalog for sale through the store. The techniques also include providing a customized spreadsheet which is customized for the item according to the first item information to the vendor via spreadsheet software and receiving second item information into the customized spreadsheet from the vendor. The techniques include validating the second item information and publishing the second item information to an item catalog server for inclusion in the electronic item catalog. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244372 | VALIDATING INTERNET AD CONVERSIONS - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for selling advertising space for display of advertising on a website. A data broker, who controls a website, obtains information from customers, the information including identifying data, behavioral data, and demographic data concerning the customers. The data broker also obtains permission from the customers to provide this information to advertisers on the website and to track purchases made after receiving the advertising. The data broker then sells advertising space to advertisers and provides the advertisers with access to the customers' information. When the customers make purchases from the advertisers that can be attributed to the advertising, the data broker collects a payment from the advertisers and returns a portion of the payment to the customers. The customers benefit from this arrangement by receiving something in return for their purchases. The advertiser benefits by being able to target advertising to customers based on the information. The data broker benefits by collecting a payment for the sale of advertising space that is higher than would otherwise be possible. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244360 | CUSTOMER UNIVERSE EXPLORATION - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying attributes associated with potential customers. Attribute data contained in a potential customer database are transformed into bit sets or binary fingerprints. These bits sets or binary fingerprints are then clustered into clusters based on similarities between the bits sets, which correspond to similarities of the attributes. These clusters are represented graphically in a two- or three-dimensional map. The two- or three-dimensional map is analyzed to identify attributes associated with the potential customers. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244357 | Inducing Customer Store Visits Via Mobile Application - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for motivating customers to voluntarily provide information about themselves to retailers. The retailer provides the customer with an application for a mobile device, which application is configured for detecting the customer's presence in the retailer's store when the application is enabled. The application is enabled by the customer providing the requested information. When the application detects the customer's presence in the store for a selected time period or when the customer makes a purchase, then the retailer awards a contribution to charity. This charitable contribution is an incentive for the customer to use the mobile application in the store. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140236764 | REMOTE SALES ASSISTANCE TRACKING - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of providing, with a processing device of a commerce server, sales assistance to a consumer shopping in a retail store and considering a first item for purchase. The method also includes the step of receiving, at the processing device, a receipt signal containing a list of items purchased by the consumer. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, if the first item is among the list of items purchased by the consumer to track the effectiveness of the providing step. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140236661 | SUPPLIER ANALYSIS AND VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An application and system are capable of taking file formatted data and using that data as an onboarding process to go live with a system to system business document exchange process. Using certain applications and systems, suppliers can automatically validate their data files using a certification tool and can request production of their various products. Certain systems can be operated without human intervention and can accommodate users in a variety of time zones. Certain systems may accommodate parallel validation by a human technician. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140236652 | REMOTE SALES ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a help request signal from an augmented reality device worn by a current consumer shopping in a retail store. The method also includes the step of selecting, with the processing device, a sales assistant to help the current consumer. The method also includes the step of linking, with the processing device, the augmented reality device in communication with an electronic computing device operated by the sales assistant. The method also includes the step of receiving, at the processing device, a receipt signal containing a list of items purchased by the current consumer. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, if any item on the list of items was the subject of the help provided to the current consumer by the sales assistant. The sales assistant can enjoy a commission, a performance bonus, a quota, or receive some other form of enhanced remuneration in response to the determining step. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140236642 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING AND RESERVING BUILDING SPACES - A computer-implemented method executed in a computational device to reserve a room in a building of a campus includes receiving input from a user identifying features associated with a room, retrieving floorplan level mapping information based on the input, retrieving floorplan level security information based on the input, generating a list of potential reservation locations based on the floorplan level mapping information and the floorplan level security information, and rendering at least a portion of the list of potential reservation locations to a screen. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140222601 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING INVENTORY LOCATIONS - A system and method for determining a specific location in a brick and mortar retail store from which an item purchased by a customer in the store was likely obtained, so as to enable maintenance of inventory at the location level within the store is provided. The system includes a central database in which information regarding product inventory for a brick and mortar store location is maintained, a point of sale client capable of obtaining a product identifier from items being purchased by a customer, and a product location mechanism that utilizes the product identifier obtained by the point of sale client for the items being purchased by the customer, and other information from the point of sale client and/or from within the database to determine the most likely location from which an item was obtained by the customer and decrement the inventory unit amount stored in the database for the location by the number of such items purchased. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140222482 | ONLINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULERS - Provided is are a system and method for online appointment scheduling. A central online application presented at an electronic display is searched for a store location of a plurality of store locations The plurality of store locations are part of a retail establishment that presents information related to the store locations from the central online application. The store location is selected. An appointment scheduler processes an appointment scheduling request corresponding to the store location that is submitted to the central online application. A response to the appointment scheduling request is generated. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140215409 | ANIMATED DELETE APPARATUS AND METHOD - A computer-implemented method is disclosed for deleting an electronic receipt. Within the method, a computer system may present a receipt image documenting a point-of-sale transaction to a customer via a display of a computing device corresponding to the customer. While the receipt image is being presented, the computer system may receive one or more multi-touch pinch commands applied by the customer to the display of the computing device. In response to such commands, the computer system may virtually crumple the receipt image in a manner tracking the one or more multi-touch pinch commands. Once the receipt image is fully crumpled and/or crumpled and flicked, the computer system may delete receipt data corresponding to the receipt image from the computer device or an account accessed through the computing device. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214862 | AUTOMATED ATTRIBUTE DISAMBIGUATION WITH HUMAN INPUT - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for performing classification of documents or performing other tasks based on rules. The rules may include context rules that define a mapping that relates a value and context in a document to an attribute to which the value corresponds. Products are selected for labeling with attributes by identifying patterns, e.g. values and contexts that are not covered by a current rule set. Those products having a highest score are selected for labeling in a crowd sourcing forum, where the score is based on the number of non-covered patterns and a frequency of occurrence of the non-covered patterns in a document corpus. Proposed rules are generated for frequently occurring patterns and submitted to analysts for one or both of completion and validation. Proposed rules may include a proposed attribute for a frequently occurring value and corresponding context. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214845 | PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION INTO PRODUCT TYPE FAMILIES - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for updating a database with new products by classifying the new products within a hierarchy, and then using the hierarchy to improve the classification by including other product types within the classification for the new products. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214844 | MULTIPLE CLASSIFICATION MODELS IN A PIPELINE - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for updating a merchant database with new items automatically or with minimal human involvement. In operation, methods and systems disclosed use a pipeline of classification models to quantify new product information and create an accurate classification for the new product item. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214841 | Semantic Product Classification - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for updating a merchant database with new product items and placing the new product items within a hierarchy of existing merchant product offerings. In operation, the new product is represented by a title and description that can be semantically classified using a plurality of classification models and reviewed by users for accuracy. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214641 | Electronic Receipt Including Itemization Of Applicable Tax Rates - A method providing an electronic receipt to a user includes obtaining the electronic receipt corresponding to the user at a processing device of a tax itemization server. The electronic receipt indicating one or more purchased items, each purchased item indicating a purchased product from a facility of the retailer. A classification of each of the one or more purchased items and a tax jurisdiction of the facility are extracted from the electronic receipt. For the classification of each purchased item that is mandated as being taxable by the tax jurisdiction, an itemization of one or more tax rates applicable to the classification of the purchased item that are imposed by the tax jurisdiction is obtained. The electronic receipt including the itemization of one or more tax rates applicable to each classification of each purchased item that is mandated as being taxable is provided to the user. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214633 | RANKING KEYWORDS FOR PRODUCT TYPES WITH MANUAL CURATION - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically determining key words within item information with product types, and classifying new items within product types within a merchant's database. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214632 | Smart Crowd Sourcing On Product Classification - The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for updating a merchant database with new products in an optimized manner using both computer based classification models and human involvement in a smart crowd source environment. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214628 | Gesture-Based Product Wishlist And Shared Social Networking - A portable computerized device can implement a method to collect a preference of a user for a product and share that preference over a social media application. The method includes monitoring an indication of a user of the device to a product of interest, identifying the product of interest by referencing a product information database, communicating the product of interest to the social media application, and displaying the product of interest through the social media application. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214623 | IN-STORE CUSTOMER SCAN PROCESS INCLUDING PRODUCT AUTOMATED INGREDIENT WARNING - A computer-implemented process can be implemented to provide a customer with information about an item to be purchased. The process includes monitoring, within a processor of a portable computerized device, a scan of the item to be purchased, automatically referencing a remote database to reference a list of ingredients in the item to be purchased. The process further includes cross-referencing, within the processor, the list of ingredients to a shopping profile of the customer and Fdisplaying an alert to the customer upon a display of the portable computerized device based upon the cross-referencing. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214619 | Double Tap And Done - A computer-implemented method for using a mobile computing device corresponding to a user to purchase a product being offered for sale by a user includes, when the mobile computing device has selected an item indicating the product, obtaining item information related to the item. Item display data is generated based on the item information and transmitted to the mobile computing device. The item display data prompts the mobile computing device to display the item information and an operational input in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device. A command is received in response to a prescribed number of actions input by the user to the operational input. The command causes a purchasing server to perform one or more operations. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214618 | IN-STORE CUSTOMER SCAN PROCESS INCLUDING NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION - A computer-implemented process can be implemented to provide a customer with nutritional information about an item to be purchased. The process includes monitoring a scan of the item to be purchased within a processor of a portable computerized device. The process further includes automatically referencing a remote database to identify nutritional information for the item to be purchased and displaying the nutritional information to the customer upon a display of the portable computerized device. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214612 | CONSUMER TO CONSUMER SALES ASSISTANCE - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a help request signal from a first augmented reality device worn by a current consumer considering an item for purchase in a retail store. The method also includes the step of searching, with the processing device, a consumer database wherein the consumer database contains purchase histories for a plurality of past consumers. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, a past consumer in the consumer database who purchased the item. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a communication request signal to a second augmented reality device worn by the past consumer containing data indicative of a request that the past consumer communicate with the current consumer about the item. The past consumer can assist the current consumer in considering the item for purchase. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214609 | LIST BASED SHOPPING CART INSPECTION PROCESS - A computer-implemented process is useful for inspecting a shopping cart in preparation for a rapid checkout from a retail store, the shopping cart including items scanned for purchase by the customer during a shopping trip in the retail store. The process includes monitoring, within a computerized server, an initiation of a rapid checkout by the customer and generating, within a computerized processor, an inspection list for a store employee based upon the initiation. The inspection list includes a summary of items scanned by the customer. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214608 | DETERMINING TO AUDIT A CUSTOMER UTILIZING ANALYTICS - Embodiments for determining whether the activity of a customer within a retail store violates a business rules are disclosed. The embodiments include a customer performing actions within a retail store via a mobile computing device, generating at least one business rule, and comparing the customer's actions with the business rules. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214605 | Method And System For Answering A Query From A Consumer In A Retail Store - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a signal from a consumer transmitted through an augmented reality device worn by the consumer. The method also includes the step of confirming, with the processing device, the signal contains a query from the consumer. The method also includes the step of retrieving, with the processing device, a proposed answer to the query. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the proposed answer to the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of verifying, with the processing device, the proposed answer is accepted by the consumer. The method also includes the step of prompting, with the processing device, the consumer to resubmit the signal if the query is not confirmed in the confirming step or if the proposed answer is not accepted in the verifying step. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214601 | Method And System For Automatically Managing An Electronic Shopping List - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, one or more shopping list signals from an electronic computing device to establish a shopping list of a plurality of items offered for sale in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, one or more signals from an augmented reality device worn by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. The method also includes the step of determining, with the processing device, that an item from the shopping list has been placed in a shopping container from the one or more signals received from the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of modifying, with the processing device, the shopping list in response to said determining step. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214600 | Assisting A Consumer In Locating A Product Within A Retail Store - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of storing locally, at an augmented reality device worn by a consumer, a shopping list of products that a consumer desires to purchase in a retail store. The method also includes the step of identifying, with a processing device of a commerce server, a location within the retail store of a product on the shopping list and a location of the consumer within the retail store. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, directions from the location of the consumer to the location of the product, the directions being transmitted to an augmented reality device worn by the consumer in the retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, a video signal from a camera of the augmented reality device as the consumer moves through the retail store. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214599 | Completing A Purchase Transaction At Various Locations - Embodiments for determining a completing a purchase transaction at a waypoint where a customer is located within a retail store are disclosed. The embodiments include determining waypoint of the customer, receiving waypoint data including the location of the customer positions within the retail store and a shopping list identifying items that the customer desires to purchase, and completing the purchase transaction for the items at the waypoint. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214598 | Completing A Purchase Transaction And Delivering Items - Embodiments for completing a purchase transaction without a customer having to move or touch an item within a retail store are disclosed. The embodiments include generating a shopping list of items the customer desires to purchase via scanning identifiers associated with the items, waypoints of the items, and a checkout waypoint to deliver the items. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214597 | Method And System For Managing An Electronic Shopping List With Gestures - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, one or more shopping list signals from an electronic computing device to establish a shopping list of a plurality of items offered for sale in a retail store. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a first item signal to an augmented reality device worn by a consumer within the retail store. The first item signal corresponds to one of the plurality of items. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, one or more movement signals from the augmented reality device worn by the consumer corresponding to movement of the consumer. The method also includes the step of changing, with the processing device, from transmitting the first item signal to transmitting a second item signal different from the first item signal in response to the step of receiving the one or more movement signals. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214596 | SHOPPING PROCESS INCLUDING MONITORED SHOPPING CART BASKET WEIGHT - A computer-implemented process aiding a customer scan and rapid checkout process can include monitoring a shopping cart basket weight. The process includes monitoring, in a computerized processor installed to a shopping cart of a customer, a signal from a weight device configured to monitor the shopping cart basket weight. The process further includes automatically generating a basket weight output value based upon the shopping cart basket weight. The basket weight output value includes one of a check against an expected weight of an item from a database, a billing statement total for a bulk good, a check against an expected total order weight to confirm presence of an un-scanned item in the shopping cart basket, and a check against unsafe use of the shopping cart. The process further includes providing a message based upon the basket weight output value. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214595 | COOPERATIVE EXECUTION OF AN ELECTRONIC SHOPPING LIST - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, one or more shopping list signals from an electronic computing device to establish a shopping list of a plurality of items offered for sale in a retail store. The method also includes the step of receiving, with the processing device, one or more consumer signals from a first augmented reality device and a second augmented reality device. Each augmented reality device can be worn by a consumer as the consumer shops in the retail store. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, a first procuring signal containing data associated with the shopping list to the first augmented reality device and a second procuring signal containing data associated with the shopping list to the second augmented reality device, such that the consumers can cooperatively shop for items on the shopping list. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214590 | TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING SUBSTITUTES FOR PRODUCTS INDICATED IN AN ELECTRONIC SHOPPING LIST - Health related attributes of a consumable product can be used to propose substitutes for the product. A computer-implemented method to propose substitutes includes receiving from a user an original shopping list comprising the consumable product, determining health related attributes for the product, generating a proposed healthy choice substitute for the product based upon the health related attributes, and displaying the proposed healthy choice substitute to the user. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214589 | Employing A Shopping List On A Hand-Held Communications Device At A Retailer - A computer-implemented process is described and includes employing a shopping list that is accessible on a hand-held communications device, the shopping list including desired items for purchasing from a retailer. The hand-held communications device is employed at the retailer to capture information associated with a selected product. The information associated with the selected product is compared with the desired items contained on the shopping list accessible to the hand-held communications device. Upon correlating the selected product with one of the desired items contained on the shopping list, the shopping list is updated to indicate the desired item has been acquired. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214577 | SHOPPING PROCESS INCLUDING MONITORED SHOPPING CART BASKET WEIGHT - A computer-implemented process aiding a customer scan and rapid checkout process can include monitoring a shopping cart basket weight. The process includes monitoring, in a computerized processor installed to a shopping cart of a customer, a signal from a weight device configured to monitor the shopping cart basket weight. The process further includes automatically generating a basket weight output value based upon the shopping cart basket weight. The basket weight output value includes one of a check against an expected weight of an item from a database, a billing statement total for a bulk good, a check against an expected total order weight to confirm presence of an un-scanned item in the shopping cart basket, and a check against unsafe use of the shopping cart. The process further includes providing a message based upon the basket weight output value. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214574 | Method To Facilitate An In-Store Audit After Issuance Of An Electronic Receipt - Techniques for allowing a store security associate to complete a purchase audit for a customer leaving a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include preparing an electronic receipt for completed purchase transaction and transmitting a copy of the electronic receipt to a store audit electronic device at the brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving customer information into the store audit electronic device to identify the copy of the electronic receipt associated with a customer, displaying the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device, and reviewing the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device to verify that the customer has purchased items which are in the customer's possession as the customer exits the store. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214573 | Helping Customers Select A Checkout Lane With Relative Low Congestion - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for helping customers select lesser congested checkout lanes. A cashier can adjust a user-interface control to indicate customer congestion at his or her checkout lane. The indicated customer congestion is combined with indicated customer congestions for other checkout lanes (which may be more or less congested). The combined indicated customer congestions are used to form a lane congestion report for a physical store location. The lane congestion report can be sent to and presented at customer mobile devices at or near the physical store location. Customers can use the information presented in the lane congestion report to select a lesser congested checkout lane. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214572 | Systems And Methods For Retrieving Items For A Customer At Checkout - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for processing transactions at an in-store POS where some of the items of the transaction have not been retrieved, i.e. the customer neglected to add a needed item to a shopping cart. A customer selects a product on a user computing device and invokes display of an optical code corresponding to an unretrieved product. A point of sale (POS) device then scans the optical code to add the product to the transaction. The POS device or user computing device may transmit an alert to a representative computing device instructing a store representative to retrieve the product and deliver it to the POS or some other location. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214571 | NOTIFYING AN ATTENDANT WHEN A CUSTOMER SCANS AN OVERSIZED ITEM - A computer-implemented method for providing a product to a user includes determining that an item obtained by a mobile computing device corresponding to the user is indicative of an oversized item. A first notification is generated indicating the oversized item and retrieval information related to the oversized item. The first notification is transmitted to a first facility computing device corresponding to a first facility attendant. When the user completes a transaction for the purchase of the oversized product at one of the point of sale terminal, terminal information related to the point of sale terminal is obtained. A second notification is generated related to the terminal information. The second notification is transmitted to a second facility computing device corresponding to a second facility attendant. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214568 | RETAIL LOSS PREVENTION USING BIOMETRIC DATA - Systems and methods are disclosed herein for estimating the risk of criminal activity in a retail setting. Using video data, biometric data for an individual may be obtained. A baseline biometric measurement is taken upon enqueuing of an individual, which may include entry of the individual into the field of view of a camera having a point of sale (POS) in its field of view. A biometric measurement is also taken when the individual is adjacent the POS. According to an analysis of these measurements, an estimate of risk is calculated, such as by comparing the baseline measurement to a POS measurement. Based on this risk assessment, an alert may be generated. The alert may be a graphical indicator displayed on the POS or transmitted to a device operated by a store representative. The risk assessment may also be used to select transactions for auditing in a self-checkout system. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214566 | Retail Gift Card System with Integrated Account and Sales Receipt Tracking - A retail gift card system with integrated account and electronic receipt tracking is disclosed. The retail gift card system comprises an internet-accessible customer account and a customer account linked gift card. The gift card is used to purchase merchandize from a retailer-operated store, whereupon transaction data, monetary value data, and/or electronic receipt data is contemporaneously captured and stored on a retailer-operated computer network in association with the customer account. To promote customer convenience, the gift card is provided with a machine-readable link to the customer account, thereby enabling “on-the-spot” access using, for example, a smartphone. Particular embodiments of the system include a balance depositing function and/or electronic coupon and warranty coupling. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140214564 | METHOD TO ALLOW TWO OR MORE MOBILE DEVICES TO CONTRIBUTE ITEMS TO THE SAME VIRTUAL SHOPPING CART IN MOBILE SELF CHECKOUT SOFTWARE - Techniques for allowing multiple mobile electronic devices to contribute items to a single electronic shopping cart are disclosed. The techniques include electronically pairing a first mobile electronic device with a second mobile electronic device. The techniques also include receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, receiving first item information for the first item into the self-checkout software on the first mobile electronic device, creating an electronic shopping cart with the first item information on the first mobile electronic device, and transmitting information regarding the first item to the second mobile electronic device to thereby create a synced copy of the electronic shopping cart on the second mobile electronic device. | 07-31-2014 |
