Abstract: A method of performing a user related operation includes, with an optical reader, reading an encoded on-line address being displayed on a display of a pocket-sized card to be carried by a user; decoding the encoded on-line address; requesting access to remotely stored data using the on-line address, the remotely stored data being related to the user; and, upon the requested access being granted, loading the remotely stored data.

Abstract: An electronic funds transfer bill payment operation of a financial institution receives first information, representing an account restructuring of a biller which uses the bill payment operation, which information is combined with second information, which is formatted differently than the first information, into a uniformly formatted file. The second information includes card update information for recurring payment card payments made with payment cards issued by the financial institution. The uniformly formatted file is transferred to an operator of a payment network of a kind configured to facilitate transactions between multiple issuers and multiple acquirers, and it specifies at least one old account number associated with a biller and at least one new account number associated with the biller.

Abstract: A method is used in a system that includes a financial service provider coordinating accounts issued by an issuer to cardholders requesting credit from merchants. Each merchant has an acquirer with whom the financial service provider also coordinates the accounts. The method can be performed by a merchant sending a transmission to its acquirer including a request for a transaction against one account to which the merchant receives a denial or prior to receiving such a denial. The merchant then requests information from the financial service provider who responds by sending the requested information, upon which the merchant determines whether to extend the credit. When the method is performed by a financial service provider, in response to the denial received by one merchant or prior to such denial, the financial service provider receives a transmission from the merchant including a request for information about the account.

Abstract: A credit card Emergency Fund system, comprising the steps of a credit card provider opening one or two accounts with two different card numbers, with a first “main credit card” and a second credit card for a spare. Alternatively, one credit card is provided with one or two accounts. Upon the customer's request, when the credit limit of the main credit card is fully expended, the spare credit card, with the Emergency credit line, or the Emergency credit line with a single card, is activated for a limited time period.

Abstract: A protocol appropriate for smartcard purchase applications such as those that might be completed between a terminal or ATM and a users personal card is disclosed The protocol provides a signature scheme which allows the card to authenticate the terminal without unnecessary signature verification which is an computationally intense operation for the smart card. The only signature verification required is that of the terminal identification (as signed by the certifying authority, or CA, which is essential to any such protocol). In the preferred embodiment, the protocol provides the card and terminal from fraudulent attacks from impostor devices, either a card or terminal.

Abstract: A method and system to test, monitor, and share revenue associated with third-party software applications operating on mobile devices over a network operator's wireless network. An application may be tested by the mobile application monitoring system to simulate the expected load of the application on a mobile device and the wireless network utilized by the mobile device, and to determine any services utilized by the application. Based on the simulation, the system determines a compensation arrangement under which revenue associated with the application will be shared between the network operator and the application provider. In some embodiments, the compensation arrangement is determined from a variable reward table. Revenue is shared inversely with an application's impact on customers and on the network operator.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides data associated with a financial instrument through real-time virtual animation anchored to the financial instrument in a video stream. During operation, the system receives at a computer system a video stream, wherein the video stream includes an image of a financial instrument, and wherein a financial instrument is a physical object that is associated with at least one of a financial account and financial data. Next, the system identifies the financial instrument in the video stream. The system then retrieves data associated with the financial instrument from a data source. Next, the system creates an animation which displays the data. Once the animation is created, the system anchors the animation to the financial instrument in the video stream. Finally, the system displays the video stream which includes the animation to a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for implementing a self-service terminal (“SST”) monitoring, notification and maintenance system. Embodiments of the proposed invention may simplify a task of locating an operational SST having a specific operational status and/or capability within a geographic area. Embodiments may automatically determine and monitor an operational status and/or capabilities of a SST. The operational status may include an operational status indicative of a SST that need servicing or repair. A location of a device used to submit a request for SST information may be automatically determined. Location, operational status and directions on how to locate a specific SST within a distance of the determined location may be transmitted in response to a request for SST information. The operational status of multiple SSTs within a geographic area may be monitored.

Abstract: A credit card security system method for preventing fraudulent use, comprising the steps of a credit card provider opening one account with two different card numbers, with a first “main credit card” and a second credit card for a spare. The main credit card is activated by the provider and the spare credit card remains “deactivated”. On a pre-set time basis the credit card provider will automatically upon notice to the customer, deactivate the main card and activate the spare card. If any suspicious or fraudulent transaction is detected by the credit card provider, the main credit card is deactivated. If the transaction is authorized, then the main credit card is re-activated. If the transaction is not authorized, the spare credit card is activated to be used as the main credit card. The credit card provider then replaces the deactivated credit card with a new number and sends a new credit card with the new credit card remaining deactivated.

Abstract: A Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) enabled server executing Java software provides a financial transaction Web service to a client each of which communicates wirelessly with the J2EE enabled server and executes Java software to conduct financial transactions between a merchant and a consumer upon an account issued by an issuer to the consumer. Each financial transaction is submitted by the merchant to an acquirer for processing by a transaction handler/payment processor, and is submitted by the transaction handler/payment processor to the issuer to obtain a payment amount for the financial transaction from the account, and wherein the issuer forwards the payment amount of the financial transaction to the transaction handler/payment processor who forwards the payment amount of the financial transaction to the acquirer to pay the merchant for the financial transaction.

Abstract: A system for receiving bid requests and bid proposals sent thereto over a data-packet-network (DPN) and for matching the bid proposals to the bid requests includes at least one input/output port for receiving the bid requests and the bid proposals, at least one memory utility for storing the bid requests and bid proposals, and a set of machine readable instructions for enabling matching of the stored bid proposals to the stored bid requests.

Abstract: A method for detecting against unauthorized transmission of digital works comprises the steps of maintaining a registry of information permitting identification of digital copyrighted works, monitoring a network for transmission of at least one packet-based digital signal, extracting at least one feature from the at least one digital signal, comparing the extracted at least one feature with registry information and applying business rules based on the comparison result.

Abstract: The disclosure details implementations of apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to facilitating an entity sponsoring a trust. The sponsoring entity contributes a pool of assets (e.g., a pool of real property mortgages) to fund the trust. The system facilitates the creation of one or more classes of certificates that represent a portion of the assets held in the trust. For example, if the trust is funded by mortgages, the certificates will represent rights to different portions of principal and/or interest payments generated by the mortgages held as the asset pool. The sponsoring entity can use the system to sell all or some of the certificates to unrelated parties and to create a market in the certificates. Further, in an implementation, the sponsoring entity may also use the system to facilitate an ongoing certificate exchange program implementing a series of certificate exchange applications.

Abstract: A method of transferring money from a first user to another user through a cellular network is disclosed. The method includes a the first user buying a voucher of a specified money from market and sending a USSD string to a cellular network, the cellular network authorizing details provided by the first user, sending a notification to the first user confirming transfer of the money to the second user, sending the second user a notification informing receipt of the money from the first user, sending the second user a secret code, a vendor confirming details provided by second user by contacting the cellular network, the cellular network further confirming the second user, authorizing the vendor to pay the specified money to the second user, crediting the money to the vendor account, and sending a confirmation to the first user notifying the second user has received the cash.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating a deposit transaction, where the depositor is a banking customer located at a remote location, and where the item to be deposited is a financial instrument, such as a paper check from a third party, payable to the depositor. The enabling system features a Remote Customer Terminal (RCT) with certain input devices, connected to a bank system. An image and/or other data of the financial instrument are transmitted from the RCT to the Bank of First Deposit (BOFD) where the data may be processed by conversion to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), via Electronic Check Presentment (ECP), or via check reconstruction. The deposit transaction can be accomplished without physical transfer of the financial instrument to or through the bank system. The system and method provide convenience and improved transaction processing speed compared to other deposit transactions of financial instruments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow an insurance company to provide awards to its agents in a manner that encourages the agents to purchase goods and services that will assist the agents in growing, branding, and/or managing his or her business. Computer systems are programmed with computer-executable instructions to determine an allocation of funds to be granted to an agent and to limit the use of the funds to goods and services identified as assisting the agent in the growth, branding, or management of his or her business.

Abstract: Payment items are received and processed in the course of a financial transaction. For example, a paying bank may receive an electronic transmission corresponding to a imaged check from a depositing bank. The paying bank may attempt to identify a reason for return within the payment item. If a reason for return is found, a determination may be made that the payment item is a re-clear payment item that has been previously transmitted by the depositing bank and returned by the paying bank. After determining that a payment item is a re-clear, the item may be processed within the paying bank along an abbreviated processing path for faster and less costly item processing. For example, in systems in which duplicate detection is performed on payment items, re-clear items may be classified separately and need not undergo certain automated and/or manual duplicate detection processes.

Abstract: A system and operations include software, servers, templates, databases, and user interfaces for initializing and deploying insurance products and offerings into test runtime environments, modeling runtime environments, and commercial product runtime environments. The system may process an insurance product offering having insurance product components based on a package manifest. The package manifest provides executables and information that enables execution of the insurance product components in conjunction with third party engine servers to access third party and/or legacy insurance related data and systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for redeeming rewards at a merchant's point-of-sale. The reward redemption takes place in real time and can be accomplished without the active participation of the merchant. A single credit card with no additional information may be used with a single swipe from the consumer to access both credit and rewards accounts, such that a single authorization request is made to encompass both rewards and credit. Merchants can be fully compensated for transactions by the issuer despite the customer's choice to redeem rewards.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying small businesses and/or small business operators includes a process for identifying small businesses and/or small business operators whereby financial transaction data for one or more consumers is obtained from one or more sources. The one or more consumers' financial transaction data is then analyzed to identify financial transactions typically associated with ownership and/or management of a business, i.e., business management related transactions. If more than a threshold number of business management related transactions associated with a given consumer are identified, that consumer is identified as a potential small business owner and/or manager.