A computer-implemented method receiving receives information describing a current or future activity from a user of a computing system via a mobile device. The current activity is an activity occurring at a current time when the information is received, while the future activity is an activity occurring at a future time relative to a time when the information is received. The method transmits the information describing the current or future activity to a backend database coupled to the Internet and remote from the mobile device. The information describing the current or future activity is accessible to at least one recipient having access privilege to information associated with the user and describing the current or future activity via the Internet.

A method and system for assisting customers in determining a best retail store location, reaching the location and obtaining assistance from a retail store associate at the location is disclosed. The method employs mobile communication device hardware, software and communication network infrastructure as well as near-field transmitters and receivers to achieve beacon orientation and location functionality.

Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.

Financial data associated with a consumer is obtained and analyzed to generate merchant watch list data associated with consumer. Sale events data is obtained associated with one or more sale events being sponsored by one or more merchants. Geographic position data associated with the consumer is the monitored and obtained. The merchant watch list data, the sale events data, and the geographic position data associated with the consumer, is then analyzed to identify matched sale event data representing sale events being sponsored by one or more merchants identified in the merchant watch list data and having sale event location data indicating a sale event location within a defined threshold distance of the approximate current geographic location of the consumer, and/or an anticipated future geographic location of the consumer. Sale event alert data is then provided to the consumer.

An map display method wherein a point of interest is displayed on a map, the geo-coordinates updated by a trusted person and then stored for subsequent display to the displays of a plurality of different computers such as through the internet.

Techniques are provided herein for utilizing a dynamic geo-fence management engine. The techniques include receiving a set of parameters corresponding to a virtual geographic perimeter. A user may be determined based at least in part on a geographical location of the user and the set of parameters corresponding to the virtual geographic perimeter. A notification for the user may be generated, the notification being formatted according to a push notification service protocol the notification including the set of parameters. The notification may be provided to a remote computing device. Receipt of the notification by the remote computing device may cause the remote computing device to provide, to the user, information related to the virtual geographic perimeter.

Techniques for optimizing a shopping agenda are disclosed. The techniques include receiving an electronic shopping list containing one or more items, each item indicating a product sold by a retailer. The techniques further include obtaining a store map, the store map being indicative of a layout of a store associated with the retailer. The techniques further include determining one or more product waypoints based on the one or more items in the electronic shopping list and the store map, each product waypoint of the one or more product waypoints corresponding to one of the one or more items and being indicative of a location of the product indicated by the item in the store. The techniques also include determining a route traveling through each of the one or more product waypoints and providing the route for display.

Systems and methods for using wireless beacons in point of purchase (POP) displays to facilitate the delivery of consumer oriented content to mobile devices is disclosed herein. Wireless beacons may be used to broadcast wireless signals from POP displays, where the wireless signals include data packets with unique identifiers for the wireless beacons. A wireless signal from a POP display may be received by a mobile device. The mobile device may provide the unique identifier in the wireless signal and a geographic location of the mobile device to a remote server. The remote server may assess the location of the POP display based on the unique identifier for the wireless beacon and the provided geographic location of the mobile device.

Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for modular vending systems utilizing reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules comprising a vertical conveyor and a mounting structure for releasably engaging with module holder structures of modular vending machines, and a central controller device for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines.

A system and method of searching for physical media articles available from article dispensing machines within a geographic proximity is provided. Searching may include matching keywords in search criteria or using predefined search criteria for browsing of static or dynamic listings of media content. The method includes receiving a search request including search criteria, and searching the metadata database for a physical media article matching the search criteria. The method also includes determining the availability of the matching media article at an article dispensing machine. The geographic location of article dispensing machines with available matching media articles is determined, based on personally identifying information such as an IP or MAC address. The geographic location may be limited by a proximity from an audio/visual display interface. A search result set with the matching media articles is provided, based on their availabilities.