7715 results about "Self-service" patented technology

A method of enabling anonymous Internet users to publish and manage extensive, non-identifying personal data, including demographic, psychographic, needs, wants, interests, propensities, means to purchase, credibility and other data which in turn, enables a marketplace wherein such users, advertisers, websites, and other third-parties can mutually benefit from the commercial exploitation of such data. Advertisers can directly use the data to segregate the users into highly differentiated anonymous audiences for the purposes of targeting them with individualized marketing campaigns and then monitor user responses in near real-time. Websites can individualize their content to the profiles of visiting users. Users can share surface and deep web links with other users having similar profiles. Consumers participating in good faith are proportionately rewarded via revenue sharing, which they may withdraw from the marketplace or use to purchase and rent digital content offered in the marketplace's micropayment-enabled storefronts by other users and third-party content providers.

A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body / object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description. The disclosure details methods for gesture recognition, as well as the overall architecture for using gesture recognition to control of devices, including self-service machines.

A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry. Operator wait time is regulated by forcing low priority and / or highly tolerant inbound inquiries to self service.

A wireless security module (20) adapted to authenticate a mobile device (16), such as a mobile telephone, thereby to allow communication between the mobile device and a terminal (12), such as a self-service terminal. The wireless security module (20) is paired with the mobile device (16) and is adapted to send an authentication signal to the mobile device (16) or the terminal (12) using a wireless communication path, such as a telecommunications network or an IR link or a Bluetooth connection.

A pharmaceutical system and method of operation in which a single remote professional provides pharmaceutical care and oversight of multiple local pharmacies. A control location is connected through an electronic network to one or more individual pharmacies, each of which may be located at a different physical site. Each individual pharmacy includes one or more drug preparation areas, and one or more self-service or staffed customer terminals. A drug preparation area includes a robot, which is adapted to prepare prescriptions or other items, and which is connected by a pneumatic delivery system to one or more customer terminals within the pharmacy.

Self-service terminals for sampling items of playable content. The terminal includes input means for inputting selection information, and reproduction means for replaying parts of selected items. The terminal may also include means for ordering and payment information, and may be located in high density retail sites.

A method and system for providing global self-service transaction terminals or automatic teller machines (ATMs) affords worldwide web content to ATM customers, centralized management for ATM operators, and supports local and remote administration for ATM field service personnel. The system includes multiple ATMs coupled over a network to a host, and the ATMs are provided with a touch screen interface and an interface for visually impaired persons. The ATMs enable both local and remote administration of ATM operations by bank personnel and an integrated network control. The ATMs are web-enabled, and ATM communications are performed over a communications network.

Consent-based application programming interfaces (APIs) are used to provide privacy access controls to operational systems for business services accomplished particularly in an electronic and / or networked environment. An API implementation device or host provides a link between a channel application, configured to provide an interface with a customer, and privacy data as used by operational applications and obtained from databases such as data warehouses. The privacy APIs provide per-customer choice / consent to obtaining and / or retrieval of privacy information / data and per-customer access thereto. In one form, the privacy APIs are used in business initiated self service applications wherein an activity or event triggers business to customer initiation.

A method for pay-per-use, self-service charging of electric storage power systems of electric automobiles, said automobiles charged via electrical connections to a provided curbside charging station, said charging station automatically modifying grid electricity to be suitable for charging an array of said automobiles, said charging station also automatically securing electricity at off-peak rates when available and storing same for subsequent use.

A system and method for facilitating the configuration and management of events within a social networking system is disclosed. The system enables members of similar or different geographic region and / or like interests, hobbies, social status, relationship status, family status, etc. to interact with the system to view activities, register to participate in activities, and schedule activities. A personal workspace, accessible through a variety of devices (e.g., kiosks, web clients, wireless devices, and set-top boxes) enables network members to view a personal calendar, scheduled events and activities, invitations, localized news, and the like. The personal workspace further facilitates registration to participate in scheduled activities. A scheduling interface enables network users to configure and schedule activities through selection and / or entry of an activity details. The system further interacts with other systems to determine facility availability, facility costs, payment processing, perform background checks, synchronize calendars and contact lists, and the like.

A method and system for the efficient bulk package delivery for recipients. Items ordered by different customers from different retailers, suppliers or manufacturers can be organized by common item identifiers and shipped in bulk from retailers or manufacturers, to an origination regional distribution center. The items can be sorted at the origination regional distribution center in bulk based on the location of destination regional distribution centers that can serve destination centralized pickup locations chosen by the customers placing the orders for those items. Ordered items can be sorted by recipient and the destination centralized pickup location specified in the customer's order and packed into recipient-specific packages at the destination regional distribution center. The packages can be transported in bulk to the destination centralized pickup locations where they can be randomly loaded into any available locker bins in an automated system of stationary and moveable, configurable storage locker bins. During loading, an association can be made between an identifier of the locker bin and an identifier of the bulk delivered package for subsequent self service identification and retrieval. An electronic notification of the delivery can be automatically dispatched to the recipient by the automated system of storage locker bins to alert the recipient of the delivery.

A system and device for providing services to a secure facility. The system includes a kiosk with a processor, display, speaker, microphone, and a camera, and the kiosk communicates with a server that includes a server processor, a network interface unit, and a computer memory. The kiosk receives communications and transmits audio and video of the communications to the server via an internet connection, and the server records the audio and video and transmits the audio and video to a destination. The kiosk is configured to authenticate the identity of a user by verifying a personal identification number entered by the user and also performing one or more of a facial recognition via the camera or a biometric voice recognition via the microphone. The kiosk provides access to services including internet services, text-based messaging, tele-medical services, religious and educational materials, commissary ordering, and entertainment.

Systems and methods for users of an automated retail store, vending unit, digital signage or interactive retail display (self-service units) to interact with such display / unit, collectively referred to in this text as a machine, directly and / or simultaneously using a one or more mobile devices. In addition, system and methods are provided that can recognize registered users within a set proximity to the machine and broadcast messages and notifications such as machine information, inventory information, rewards, discounts and free products, all of which could be tailored to the specific user based on understanding gathered through analysis of prior interactions.

A user may be identified and authenticated to an institution system and may adjust the annual miles driven estimate for their vehicle. The annual miles driven estimate is used in the determination of the premium for the vehicle insurance for the vehicle. The premium for the vehicle insurance may be revised based on the adjustment by the user to the annual miles driven estimate. In an implementation, the user may reduce the annual miles driven estimate to zero to indicate that they are not driving the vehicle. The user may keep some elements of the vehicle insurance coverage and the vehicle insurance policy may remain active although the annual miles driven estimate is zero.

Apparatus and method for purchasing an item via a self-service checkout at a merchant store. The item is associated with a bar code and an anti-theft device. A customer uses their phone to establish communication with the store's transaction host. The phone includes a camera and a programmable memory. The memory includes customer account data. The camera is used to capture and transmit an image of the bar code to the host. The host determines the item's cost from the received bar code image. The customer can wirelessly transmit their account data from the phone to an in-store terminal. The terminal can transmit the account data to the host. The host can accept and use the account data in payment for the item. After customer payment for the item, the host causes the anti-theft device to be neutralized.

A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel's reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

A short-range transaction system enables a user to conduct transactions with a self-service terminal in a user-friendly environment without using currency. The user carries a portable smart card, which interacts with a mobile phone. After authentication via an RFID connection, the device MAC address and a security key (K) are imprinted in the card. In operation, the user waves the smart card past the self-service terminal and activates an RFID connection. The terminal sends the card a random number. The card returns the MAC address and a result (RES) computed using the hash value and the security key. The terminal using the MAC address and security key establishes a secure connection with the device. The terminal downloads the user's transaction interface from the device and displays the user interface at the self-service terminal. The user completes a transaction at the terminal via the user interface.

A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body / object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description. The disclosure details methods for gesture recognition, as well as the overall architecture for using gesture recognition to control of devices, including self-service machines.

A system and method for facilitating money transfer from a primary account holder to one or more partner accounts. The primary account holder uses a self-service terminal, which displays information on each of several related partner accounts. The displayed partner account information permits the selection of the partner account into which money is to be transferred.

A retail establishment discount coupon generating system for use with a chain made up of a plurality of retail establishments includes a targeting and delivery system which may assign coupons to individual households as a function of purchases by each household and a kiosk. The kiosk may be positioned at an entry area of a retail establishment and include at least a user identification device and an output device. The kiosk retrieves data from the targeting and delivery system for coupons assigned to the individual household and outputs coupons assigned to the individual household in response to identification of a user. The targeting and delivery system includes an enhancement function which provides tools for enhancing the coupon offer data. This includes tools for enhancing the coupon offers including the ability to select particular coupon offers for dispensing by particular retail establishments. This allows an operator to select different coupon offers for dispensing at different retail establishments.

A communication network supports mobile electronic devices, each containing different types of profile information relating to operation of the device and access to services of the network. Server functionality for device management, customer care, provisioning, diagnostics, downloading, and subscriber self-care are communicatively coupled to facilitate the sharing of device management tasks and information. Different types of profile information may be accessed / updated in a single session using a device management protocol. The mobile electronic device may track specific network and device events, and notify the server functionality of the occurrence of such events. Information about the occurrence of the tracked events, and profile information may be made accessible to external entities such as a device manufacturers and 3rd parties.

Method and apparatus for providing inventory fulfillment services to customers who have small quantities of heterogeneous items to sell. A self-service registration interface for generating lists of items to sell via the inventory fulfillment service is provided. The inventory fulfillment service may provide pricing suggestions to the customer. The inventory fulfillment service may determine whether a listed item satisfies one or more listing rules. Shipping information for a list of items may be automatically generated and provided to the customer. The customer may ship the items in one shipment to a specified facility. The customer is the seller of record for all items listed. The customer may not be charged for services until an item is sold. A listing period may be specified for which listed items will be carried. If an item does not sell within the period, option(s) for disposal of the item may be provided.

A short-range transaction system enables a user to conduct transactions with a self-service terminal in a user-friendly environment without using currency. The user carries a portable smart card, which interacts with a mobile phone. After authentication via an RFID connection, the device MAC address and a security key (K) are imprinted in the card. In operation, the user waves the smart card past the self-service terminal and activates an RFID connection. The terminal sends the card a random number. The card returns the MAC address and a result (RES) computed using the hash value and the security key. The terminal using the MAC address and security key establishes a secure connection with the device. The terminal downloads the user's transaction interface from the device and displays the user interface at the self-service terminal. The user completes a transaction at the terminal via the user interface.

In one aspect, this invention relates to a new method for using a mobile telephone, in conjunction with a payment transaction server, as an authentication and cash payment device of a cash deposit made into an ATM / KIOSK for a variety of financial transactions where a cash payment is desired. Further, the transaction systems and methods for mobile telephone devices described herein allow a mobile telephone to participate in payment transactions in a manner that helps prevent identify theft and without relying on transferring amounts to / from one stored value account to another. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to enable a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

A casino all-in-one kiosk includes a card issuing unit that enables self service registration and dispensing of casino loyalty cards, in addition to cash-dispensing, and ticket redemption functions. The kiosk may also be adapted to provide ancillary services such as hotel check-in / check-out, reservations and ticketing, and coupon printing, and may further be integrated with a financial services network to provide banking and credit card services.

A payment instrument in the form of a cell phone is loaded with account information and activated as a payment instrument by reading account information from a nearby RFID device, and entering a user PIN or password. In one embodiment, the account information is read from an RFID tag provided to the user, and the password is entered on the phone keypad. In a second embodiment, the account information is read from an RFID device at an ATM or kiosk after the user inserts a card into a card reader at the ATM or kiosk and enters the password at the ATM or kiosk keypad.

An automated vehicle charging system, that may be done within a service type station, to provide for charging, recharging, or even discharging, of the batteries of an electric vehicle, and generally will include a dispenser, having a cabinet containing all of the instrumentation desired for furnishing the provision of current information relative to the charging of a vehicle, of otherwise, and will include boom means that are highly maneuverable, in order to bring the charging instrument into close proximity of the electrical receptacle of the vehicle being serviced, whether it be at a service type station, or at a curbside type of charging system. Robotics may be used within the structure of these electrical charging systems, to facilitate the charging of any vehicle, by the customer itself, even at a self service type of station.

A self-service gift card terminal for the purchase or activation of a gift card, the gift card terminal including a housing having a computer processor disposed in the housing. A user interface coupled to the computer processor provides for self-service interaction between a customer and the gift card terminal. A modem coupled to the computer processor and connectable to a network transmits data to and from the gift card terminal. The gift card terminal also includes means for accepting payment for a gift card purchase. The computer processor is configured to activate a gift card in accordance with a customer request for and purchase of a gift card. A receipt for the transaction is then printed. The self-service gift card terminal provides a convenient terminal from which a customer can purchase and activate a gift card from a plurality of retailers or service providers.