A settlement processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a work table with a first holding area and a second holding area. A first radio tag reader is positioned in the first holding area to read information from a radio tag affixed to an item of merchandise. A second radio tag reader is positioned in the second holding area to read information from a radio tag affixed to an item of merchandise. A processor determines whether a radio tag read by the second radio tag reader was already read by the first radio tag reader. The processor generates a list of merchandise based on the read information obtained by the first and second radio tag readers, and the determination of whether a radio tag read by the second radio tag reader was already read by the first radio tag reader. A display unit displays the generated list.

Described herein are systems and method for determining a presence and/or type of an object positioned on a platform. The system may include: a tag reader configured to determine a type of an object, the object including a tag readable by the tag reader; a load cell configured to detect the presence of the object on a platform, the object having a known weight; and the platform including at least one face for receiving the object. The platform is communicatively coupled to the load cell and the tag reader. The presence of the object is detected by the load cell housed in the platform when the object is position on the at least one face of the platform. The type of the object is determined by the tag reader housed in the platform when the object is in physical proximity to the platform.

Various embodiments are directed to overlaying relevant product information in augmented reality via the use of near-field communication (NFC) and a product selection system. A user may authenticate into an application or user profile. Information about the user in the user profile may be used to determine which products are relevant to the user. Information related to the relevant products may then be displayed to the user in augmented reality, which improves at least the overall shopping and in-store experience.

Various switchable devices, e.g., cellular telephones, including inductive and/or RF antennas are disclosed. These switchable devices may include one or more switches and a biometric sensor. Some of these one or more switches are optionally wireless and/or manual. In various embodiments, the switchable devices include are included within cellular phones, security devices, identity devices, financial devices, remote controls, and the like. The switchable devices are optionally configured to perform financial transactions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of point of sale (POS) systems, and more specifically, to reading RFID tags at or near POS transaction stations. In an embodiment, the present invention is a method of operating a POS system having a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader where the POS system is in contact with a product database. The method comprises providing a transaction station configured to be operated by an employee; detecting a presence of the employee at the transaction station; reading, via the RFID reader, an RFID tag associated with a product; causing the reading of the RFID tag to be reflected in the product database when the employee is detected; and causing the reading of the RFID tag to not be reflected in the product database when the employee is not detected.

Techniques described herein include systems and methods for utilizing a shopping list generated by a user in one or more shopping list features. A list of items including keywords not associated with specific items may be received. A user interface may be updated to present the list of items, with a first area of the user interface corresponding to uncompleted tasks associated with a keyword of the list, and a second area corresponding to completed tasks associated with a keyword of the list. One or more sensors may receive information about an item. Input about an interaction with the user interface and a keyword of the list may be received. The user interface may be updated to move the keyword of the list from the first area to the second area. A mapping of the keyword to the item may be updated by a computer system.

Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag (“EST”). The methods involve: operating the EST in a first operational state in which first item related information is output from an electronic output device of the EST that is powered by an energy storage device storing energy harvested from an external energy source; detecting when a charge level of the energy storage device reaches or falls below a first threshold level; and transitioning an operational state of the EST from the first operational state to a second operation state in which a message is output from EST requesting that a mobile device be placed in proximity to the EST for purposes of obtaining at least a first portion of the first item related information, in response to the detection that the charge level of the energy storage device has reached or fallen below the first threshold level.

Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

The invention relates to a passageway system with at least one foot element, with at least one blocking element which is mounted on the foot element and which is movable between at least one blocking position intended for at least partially blocking a passage and at least one release position releasing the passage, with a drive unit serving to move the at least one blocking element with a control of the drive unit, with a detection unit intended for the identifying detection of goods, and with interfaces to a data processing unit and optionally further components.

The invention is characterized in that at least one optical detection device is arranged on the at least one blocking element and is a component of the detection unit.