The present invention determines which network devices are likely to have a positive result in engagements with terminal devices. A server can obtain data about network devices with respect to the communication session with a network site. Then the server can use rules to define a set of network devices that are eligible to interact or communicate with a terminal device. The server can connect to the network devices as randomly as possible. Terminal devices can initiate engagements with network devices. The server can detect characteristics in the interaction of engagements that have positive results. The server generates an evaluation protocol based on the characteristics, to assign new network devices a parameter representing how close the new network device conforms to the evaluation protocol. The parameter is used by the system in real-time to inform terminal devices as to which network devices to connect to and in what order.

Some embodiments provide apparatuses and methods useful to providing control over movement of motorized transport units. In some embodiments, an apparatus providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a shopping facility comprises: a central computer system comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from one or more of the communications received from the motorized transport unit, route condition information comprising information corresponding to an intended route of travel; obtain additional route condition information detected by one or more detectors external to the motorized transport unit; detect an object affecting the intended route of travel; identify an action to be taken by the motorized transport unit with respect to the detected object; and communicate one or more instructions.

One embodiment provides a system for dynamically optimizing inventory picking paths within a physical store. The system performs operations including receiving merchandise requests from customers, providing the merchandise requests to merchandise pickers, and receiving, from the merchandise pickers, picking data identifying picking paths executed by the merchandise pickers when picking items within the physical store to fulfill the merchandise requests. The operations further include analyzing the merchandise requests and the picking data to identify an algorithm suitable for determining an optimized picking path, and, in response to receiving a new merchandise request, applying the algorithm to determine an optimized picking path for fulfilling the new merchandise request. The optimized picking path is provided to at least one of the merchandise pickers. The algorithm is dynamically adjustable in response to receiving additional picking data identifying different picking paths that reflect changes to the store layout.

The present invention is an applications gateway that offers multiple functions and features for specific geographic venue locations, while providing easy access to advertising, purchasing, and redemption opportunities for that specific geographic venue location. Venue locations can be stadiums, shopping malls, amusement parks, open air spaces where people can congregate, and/or buildings, which most often require the presence of a concentration of people. The venue location may correlate to the location of the hand-held mobile unit or it may be a remote geographic venue location not near the location of the hand-held mobile unit. Access to the gateway application is through a hand-held mobile unit, which can include a mobile phone, smartphone device, or portable computer having a wireless radio transmission connection. (e.g. iPhone, Droid, iPad, Slate, etc.)

A central computer system receive a voice input comprising a motorized transport unit command from a system user via a particular user interface unit that is associated with a particular motorized transport unit at a shopping facility. In response the central computer system transmits to the user interface unit a motorized transport unit instruction that corresponds to the motorized transport unit command, such that the user interface unit can then provide that motorized transport unit instruction to the motorized transport unit for execution by the motorized transport unit. By one approach these components can interact with one another to facilitate a verbally-based authentication procedure by which the system user is associated with the motorized transport unit.

A method to generate revenue from supplied content is provided. Content is provided to a consumer via a network by providing a content service that allows the consumer to select and retrieve content as a package together with a clearing of the selectable content to an operator used by the consumer to select and retrieve the content via the network. Any content selected by the consumer is supplied directly to the consumer via the operator. The operator is charged for the supplied content.

Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

Exemplary voice call payment systems and methods provide parties to a voice call with features for sharing sensitive information over an active voice connection supporting the voice call. An exemplary method includes a voice call payment system detecting, during a voice call between a user of a user device and a representative of a merchant over an active voice connection between the user device and a merchant device of the merchant, a request by the user to submit inaudible payment information to the merchant over the active voice connection as payment in a transaction between the user and the merchant, directing, in response to the request, the user device to acquire the inaudible payment information, and directing, in response to the request, the user device to transmit the inaudible payment information to the merchant device over the active voice connection.

Aspects are disclosed for providing users with a virtual agent at a property. A user is authenticated based on user information included in a request to enter a property secured by a locking mechanism. The user is then provided with physical access to the property remotely in response to an authentication of the user. The user is also provided with a virtual tour of the property, which comprises a remote real time interaction with the user during the physical access of the property.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to shopping management systems and associated methods. A method may include receiving information regarding an item selected by a consumer. The method may also include determining if the detected item is a prohibited item. Further, the method may include performing at least one action if the detected item is a prohibited item.