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 nodepreferably, an electronic shelf labelprovides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the source. The checkpoint consummates the promotion.

Systems and methods for vending devices having ad-watching as consideration are described. In some implementations, a vending apparatus includes a dispensing portion operable to dispense a product (e.g. electricity) to a user; a communication portion operable to provide a communicable content (e.g. an advertisement) to the user; and a control system operatively coupled to the dispensing portion and the communication portion. The control system receives a signal indicative of a consent by the user to receive or review the communicable content at least partially in exchange for the product, and after receipt of the signal, causes the communication portion to provide the communicable content to the user and causes the dispensing portion to dispense the product to the user. In further implementations, the apparatus may include a monitoring system operable to determine whether the user is receiving or reviewing the communicable content.

A system uses beacons with point-of-purchase displays and other in-store displays to direct customers to certain products of interest to the customer. The system determines which beacons should receive electrical power based on sensors within the displays.

A point-of-sale terminal includes a code reader, a communication interface, a memory device, a control panel, and a processor. The processor is configured to control the communication interface to transmit a customer code read by the code reader to an electronic receipt server, store in the memory device, a number of times electronic receipts have been issued in association with the customer code, the number of times being provided by the electronic receipt server to the communication interface, store in the memory device, transaction details based on one or more product codes read by the code reader, determine whether or not a sales promotion is to be offered based on the number of times, in response to a user input to complete the transaction on the control panel, and generate receipt information based on the transaction detail stored in the memory device and the offered sales promotion, if any.

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for providing in-store advertizing incentives to customer-members of a business, such as a retailer, wholesaler or other business. In embodiments, the advertizing incentive can be based on customer-members visiting a retail location and/or making a purchase from the retailer. Content for the advertisement can be provided by the customer-member, and the advertisement can be displayed in the retail location. In some embodiments, the advertisement can be cooperative in that it includes information about both the customer-member and the retailer. For example, the advertisement can include information about a product purchased by the customer-member from the retailer and information about the customer-member's business. The advertisement can comprise a print-type advertisement, a commercial with video and audio information, an audio-only commercial, or some other type of advertisement.

A networked computer system distributes content that is to be added to receipts by receipt issuing devices. The system includes a central server, first and second store servers communicating with the central server over a first network, first receipt issuing devices communicating with the first store server over a first local network, and second receipt issuing devices communicating with the second store server over a second local network. A first control plane is implemented in the central server to control whether or not the content is to be distributed to the first store server and whether or not the content is to be distributed to the second store server. A second control plane is implemented in the first and second store servers to control whether or not the content is to be distributed to the first and second receipt issuing devices, respectively.

A digital image segment of a human body part is captured and matched against a reference image segment. If the match score meets a threshold, the digital image segment is stored and the human body part is recognized as a target object. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. If the match score does not meet a threshold, a second image containing a representation of the human body part is obtained.

A response to an advertisement driven stimulus is effected by locating a portable Mixed Reality (MR) device at a terrestrial position at a point in time; identifying a fixed point advertisement in proximity to the portable MR device based upon the device's terrestrial position; and providing a response specific to the fixed point advertisement. The point in time is determined by a signal from the portable MR device with respect to an advertisement, whereafter the MR device is located by receiving a navigational signal. Communication is automatically established with a central data server where the fixed point advertisement is identified by comparing the terrestrial position of the portable MR device with a plurality of tabulated positions of fixed point advertisements. A unique identifier associated with the portable MR device and position of the device are utilized by the data server to tailor a specific response to the advertisement based stimulus.

A shopping and marketing method of an item for specific consumers includes: installing a networking module having an induction chip with item ID onto an item body; (2) sensing the item by a mobile device connected to a marketing website and transmitting the item ID to the marketing website; (3) verifying the item ID by the marketing website; and (4) connecting to a marketing webpage of a corresponding group if the item ID is matched. Therefore, the item ID of the item is provided for logging on a specific website to achieve the marketing method by transmitting a specific corresponding message to specific consumers.

The disclosure describes, in part, techniques for performing pre-authorization during a transaction between a merchant a customer. For instance, a payment service may receive, from a merchant device, payment information of a payment instrument that is used to satisfy a cost of a first item. The payment service may then send an authorization request to a card payment network to hold a first amount of funds based on previous purchase activity. The payment service may further send the merchant device information associated with the customer. Next, the payment service may receive an indication that the customer requests to purchase a second item. In response, the payment service may send a request to the card payment network to capture a second amount of funds that is based on the cost of the first item and a cost of the second item. In response, the payment service may receive approval from the card payment network.