Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for order fulfillment. A system for order fulfillment comprises: an item container receiver configured to receive a portable item container configured to hold a plurality of items during transport, a release actuator configured to actuate a switch on the portable item container to cause one unit of an item to be released from the portable item container, and a control circuit coupled to the release actuator and configured to selectively activate the release actuator based an order listing a plurality of ordered items in an order database of a fulfillment center to cause an item among the plurality of items to be released from the portable item container for order fulfillment.

A system and method automated patron food take-out management, comprising a patron management server configured to accept and provide information about a plurality of venue patrons. A patron profile data store configured to store and provide patron information to other system components. A mobile patron client configured to communicate with patron management server to exchange a plurality of data types related to the order of take-out food items, and a food preparation manager configured to predict preparation times of food items in the presence of a plurality of environmental and mechanical factors. All components working together to automate and simplify the order of take-out food.

A system for providing location-based services to a mobile device regularly determines the location of the mobile device. Using the location of the device, the system queries a database of virtual geographic regions to determine if the location of the mobile device falls within one or more of the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions correspond to service entities that have purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise acquired the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions cover a certain area of a map. If the mobile device is within a virtual geographic region, the system notifies the mobile device. A location-based services application installed on the mobile device launches an applet for the entity that acquired the virtual geographic region within which the mobile device is located. When the mobile device is located within multiple overlapping virtual geographic regions, the system generates a prioritization scheme that defines which of the corresponding service entities should be displayed on the mobile device, and in what order the service entities should be displayed.

Embodiments provide a computer-executed method, a computer system and computer program product for initiating a command. The method includes causing a consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a visual display of a computing device associated with a consumer, wherein the consumer input definition interface includes an indication of a command. The method also includes, while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer. The method also includes generating a compound consumer input based on the input definition data, and associating the compound consumer input with the command and the consumer. The method further includes storing the association between the compound consumer input and the command on a non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer automatically initiates the command.

Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for locating a patron and delivering an order. One example method may comprise detecting a mobile device of a customer at an establishment. The example method may further comprise determining a location of the mobile device of the customer within the establishment. The example method may further comprise linking the determined location to an order placed by the customer. The example method may further comprise enabling delivery of the order to the customer at the determined location. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

A system and method for facilitating the ordering and generation of a beverage. The system and method are configured to receive an electrical signal in response to the activation by a second user of an electronic link corresponding to a recipe for the beverage shared by a first user. The system and method are further configured to generate a user interface having a user-selectable or user-inputtable order field for allowing the second user to order the beverage. The system and method are still further configured to receive an order for the beverage responsive to a user input made via the order field, and The system and method are yet still further configured to command the generation of the beverage responsive to the receipt of the order, and to effect the presentation of the beverage to the second user at a specified pickup location following the generation of the beverage.

Systems, methods, and media for optimizing and facilitating 3D printing services in a marketplace environment are provided. In one example, a system comprises a memory and at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors, to host or participate in a 3D printing service marketplace environment including marketplace participants and a federated network of 3D printing service providers. The at least one module receives a 3D printing request from a marketplace participant to print a 3D object at a 3D printing service provider, and communicates with at least some of the federated network of 3D printer service providers within the marketplace environment. In response to the received request, the at least one module lists at least some of the 3D printing service providers based on a 3D printer identifier metric. The 3D printer identifier metric may include a digital rights authorization.

In an embodiment, a merchant server receives, from a client device, an order message identifying an ordered product having a purchase price. The merchant server generates an order identifier associated with the ordered product and sends, to the client device an order-response message that includes the generated order identifier. The merchant server receives, from the client device, an order-arranged message that includes a payment-arranged message (having a payment amount, the order identifier, and a digital signature of a financial institution) and a delivery-arranged message (having delivery-plan data and a digital signature of a courier). The merchant server verifies the respective digital signatures of the financial institution and the courier, and generates and outputs transfer instructions for the ordered product based at least in part on the delivery-plan data.

Methods and systems are provided for utilizing interactive UI dialogs to resolve issues that may arise during the real-time ordering and activation of wireless products and services while a user is engaged during their session. The interactive UI dialogs may provide a customer with an opportunity to provide information, make decisions or trigger additional steps during the real time order.

A system and method for just in-time reverse logistics management directed to receiving one or more product orders associated with one or more individual SKU's; tracking one or more products SKU's through a cyclical product lifecycle, matching a product order with a product in the cyclical product lifecycle; assembly the product order based on the priority hierarchy; and shipping the product order based on the priority hierarchy.