The present disclosure describes making a payment transaction between a customer and a merchant using a payment card of the customer including: transmitting details of the payment transaction from a mobile device to a remote server; capturing at least one image of the payment card using the mobile device of the merchant; transmitting the at least one image of the payment card to the remote server; identifying, by the remote server, the merchant and the payment card captured in the at least one image; and implementing the payment transaction between bank accounts of the customer and the merchant.

A reading device according to an embodiment includes a scanner configured to read code information indicated by a code symbol, a holder configured to detachably hold the scanner, a detecting unit configured to detect a first state in which the scanner is held by the holder and a second state in which the scanner is detached from the holder, and a setting-condition changing unit configured to, if the detecting unit detects the second state, set setting conditions relating to the reading by the scanner such that a reading distance of the scanner is shorter than the reading distance in the first state.

A checkout system includes a workstation having a data capture arrangement for capturing through a horizontal window a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation, and a scale for weighing the product at the workstation. The scale has a scale mechanism, and a weighing platter on which the product is placed for weighing. The weighing platter is integrated with the horizontal window and overlies the scale mechanism. The weighing platter projects past the scale mechanism and has a front end that overhangs the scale mechanism. Non-threaded, interlocking connectors, which are provided on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, prevent the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter. The weighing platter is mounted on, and removed from, the scale mechanism without the aid of tools.

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

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.

The patent application relates to isolated polypeptides that specifically cleave non-glycosidic ether bonds between lignins or derivatives thereof and saccharides, and to cDNAs encoding the polypeptides. The patent application also relates to nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors and host cells comprising the cDNAs, as well as methods of producing and using the isolated polypeptides for treating pulp and biomass to increase soluble saccharide yield and enrich lignin fractions.

A registration apparatus stores input data. The registration apparatus outputs the stored data. A checkout apparatus receives an input relating to payment for a commodity before data input of all commodities purchased by a customer at the registration apparatus is terminated. The checkout apparatus stores data relating to the received input. The checkout apparatus generates transaction data indicating a content of one transaction based on the stored data and the data output from the registration apparatus and issues a receipt.

Embodiments herein include novel ways of alerting store personnel when various activities, events, conditions, etc., occur at the checkout in retail establishments. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, the alerting can take place in substantially real-time, when the event occurs, allowing personnel to take appropriate measures, corrective or otherwise, to deal with the detected event. Examples of such events may include situations such as when a person of interest is detected as shopping at the store, when a cashier has missed scanning an item at the checkout, or to alert store personnel if a non-empty shopping cart has exited the store without payment (a.k.a., a cart push-out). Although the discussion below uses a grocery store as an example retail environment, embodiments herein can be used in any type of retail environment.

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes input unit that inputs commodity information indicating a commodity to be registered, setting unit that sets the number of pieces of the commodity, measurement unit that measures weight of the number of pieces of the commodity, first determination unit that determines whether or not a difference between the measured weight and a multiplication value obtained by multiplying a representative value of weight which is set in advance for the commodity by the number is within a range of a preset predicted width, registration unit that registers the commodity indicated by the commodity information in association with the number, second determination unit that determines a threshold range to which the difference corresponds, based on a preset threshold range of a plurality of stages, and notification unit that makes a different notification for each of the threshold ranges.

A method of processing a purchase transaction includes generating a transaction file containing a product code, which is transmitted from a user computing device when an image of a product code identifier is captured by the user computing device, a first user ID of the customer, and an indicator of whether or not the customer has opted in to receive electronic receipts. The method further includes generating an electronic receipt based on the transaction file, storing a conversion table containing the first and second user IDs of the customer, converting the first user ID contained in the transaction file to the second user ID based on the conversion table, when the indicator indicates that the customer has opted in, and storing the electronic receipt in association with the second user ID. The electronic receipt is transmitted in response to a request for electronic receipts associated with the second user ID.