Abstract: A mobile consumer device with a display, processor(s), and memory: identifies a merchant device in proximity to the consumer device based on broadcasted information transmitted by the first merchant device, the broadcasted information including a first identifier corresponding to the first merchant device; transmits the first identifier to a server and receives from the server an electronic communication including identification and transaction information associated with the merchant; displays the identification information, receives user selection of the merchant identification information; and in response, displays the merchant transaction information, receives supplemental user information, and transmits the supplemental transaction information to the server for completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A mobile device with a display, processor(s), and memory: identifies a retail machine configured for wireless communications based on broadcasted information transmitted by the retail machine and including an identifier corresponding to the retail machine; transmits the identifier to a server and receives from the server an electronic communication including a promotional offer for products or services offered by the retail machine; displays the promotional offer; detects selection of a promotional offer; receives a notification from the retail machine that a product or service was provided by the retail machine for a user of the mobile device; transmits confirmation information associated with the notification to the server, receives promotion validation information from the server indicating validation of the promotional offer; and based on the promotion validation information, displays information confirming application of the promotional offer.

Abstract: An EAS pedestal system includes a video display device and a video camera supported on an EAS pedestal housing. The video camera is oriented to facilitate capture of video images. The video images include facial images associated with a plurality of human faces under conditions where the human faces are positioned to observe the video display device. The system applies an analytical process to determine when an imaged human face is looking toward the video display device. The system then determines one or more human demographic traits based on the facial images and adaptively selects advertising content to be displayed based on information derived from the analytical process.

Abstract: A method for enabling services and functionalities across device types and service providers within a communication device includes processing a first device function type, a first service type, and a first cost function from the device, obtaining a first firmware and communicating the first firmware to the communication device for execution, activating a first set of service enabling instructions to enable a first service and a first functionality associated with the first firmware when the first firmware is executed on the communication device, processing a second device function type, a second service type, and a second cost function from the device, obtaining a second firmware to be executed on the device, communicating the second firmware to the device, and activating a second set of service enabling instructions to enable a second service and a second functionality associated with the second firmware when the second firmware is executed on the device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving reward points associated with a first account and a second account held by a consumer from a first issuer computer system and a second issuer computer system. A first conversion factor is applied to convert the reward points for the first account into reward money, and a second conversion factor is applied to converted the reward points for the second account into reward money. The first conversion factor is received from the first issuer computer system, and the second conversion factor is received from the second issuer computer system. The reward money from the first account and the second account are combined to provide aggregated reward money. The consumer is presented with options for using the combined reward points of the first and second accounts for making purchases, donating to charities, or sharing with other consumers from a single, integrated platform.

Abstract: A system and method for certification and distancing display on a user-worn badge device for infection prevention. In one embodiment, the system and method entails uploading a decrypted health token from the at least first user-networked device for displaying the “clean” health certification in a form of a color and/or symbol code on the at least first user-worn badge device; and uploading a pre-defined distancing rules for displaying at least one of color/symbol/audio-coded warning of registering presence at least a second user-worn badge device within a threshold distance of the first user-worn badge device based on the pre-defined distancing rule.

Abstract: A method of locating a target in a geographical space includes providing information to searcher users searching for the target, and potentially selecting among multiple targets for location, and providing rewards to the searchers after locating the target. The target may be a virtual object, and the method may use augmented reality features in locating the virtual object. The method may also provide for participating users who are not actively searching for the target, but may team with a searcher to receive a reward if the searcher locates the target, and who may potentially assist the user in locating the target. Participating users may be eligible if they are located in a designated participation area. The method may further provide for observing users who can observe progress of searchers in searching for the target but are not involved in the search or reward.

Abstract: An incentive-based waste reduction system and method thereof are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an incentive-based waste reduction system comprises a collection means comprising at least a load-determining device, the collection means for obtaining a quantifiable measure of waste material from an entity, a value associated with the quantifiable measure of waste material, an adjustment factor for adjusting the value associated with the quantifiable measure of waste material, determined from an algorithm, the algorithm taking as an input at least a predetermined factor, a credit value associated with at least a quantifiable measure of deposited waste material, and a reward value associated with the credit value. Information about the waste material is transmitted to a host server which performs actions based on the received information, including reconfiguring a deployment scheme of trucks to routes to save resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing reliable and authoritative attribution of digital media works at the time of submission to a media distribution service using distributed ledger and machine learning technology. In particular, the described systems and methods facilitate establishing a link between the creator or owner, and their work, in an authoritative and reliable manner.

Abstract: A system and associated method for encouraging individual employees of a business, or members of a ten, to practice proper washroom activities is provided. The employees or team members are enrolled a washroom rewards program, and certain washroom facilities are designated as available to the individuals for use in the rewards program. The washroom facilities are configured with an identification (ID) system that automatically identifies enrolled employees or team members that enter the facility. Point values me assigned in the washroom rewards program for defined washroom activities performed by the individuals in the designated washroom facilities, and upon performance of such activities, the individual is identified via the ID system and a personal account assigned to the individual is automatically credited with the point value. The points are redeemable by the individuals for an award value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to incorporate saturation effects into marketing mix models are disclosed. An example apparatus includes means for converting adstock data associated with an advertising campaign into effective reached realized (ERR) data based on a first saturation curve, the adstock data corresponding to adstocked gross rating points generated from marketing mix input data. The apparatus further including means for performing regression analysis to: identify the first saturation curve from among a plurality of plausible curves based on a fit of different ones of the plurality of plausible curves to the marketing mix input data, the first saturation curve to define a relationship indicative of saturation effects of the advertising campaign on a target audience of the advertising campaign; and determine an impact of the advertising campaign on sales during a period of interest based on a regression analysis of the ERR data relative to sales data.

Abstract: A facility for presenting advertising messages on behalf of multiple advertisers is described. The facility determines allocations that each specify a share for an advertiser, the specified shares all being different. The facility causes advertising messages to be presented on behalf of the advertisers in accordance with the shares specified by their allocations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically determining consumer eligibility for a gated offer while reducing data exposure, are herein disclosed. In one example, a method for automatically determining consumer eligibility for a gated offer using a hashed dataset comprises, receiving an eligibility claim from a requester, receiving credentials from a consumer, selecting a verification source based on the eligibility claim and the credentials, determining an eligibility status of the eligibility claim by comparing the credentials against a hashed dataset of the verification source, and transmitting the eligibility status to the requester. In this way, a verification platform may determine consumer eligibility to a gated offer using hashed data, without holding the underlying personal data of the consumer, thereby reducing data exposure of the consumer.

Abstract: An app server receives a device token from a software application on a mobile device. The device token identifies the mobile device for pushing notification messages of the software application to the mobile device via a push notification system. The mobile device is monitored while accessing the Internet in order to detect when the user may benefit from upgraded access to the Internet. The app server then sends one or more notification message(s) to the user such as by sending a message to the device token of the mobile device via the push notification system or to a display device associated with the user at the hospitality establishment. The notification message invites the user to upgrade their Internet access. The push notification system alerts the user to the notification message via the user interface of the mobile device even when the software application is not running on the mobile device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating rich media ad units. The apparatus may be configured to receive an inventory feed and a feature feed. The inventory feed may include a plurality of product identifiers. The feature feed may include a plurality of features, each of the plurality of features being associated with at least one of the plurality of product identifiers. The apparatus may select, based on consumer metrics, a product identifier from the plurality of product identifiers. The apparatus may generate, based on the consumer metrics, a feature subset including a subset of the plurality of features associated with the product identifier. The apparatus may generate, based on the feature subset, a rich media ad unit. Related methods and apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle advertisement display system to be mounted on a vehicle includes a display unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The display unit performs display at least toward an interior of the vehicle. The detection unit detects at least one of a state of an occupant riding the vehicle or a motion of the occupant as a target. The control unit causes the display unit to display the advertisement image having an advertising content corresponding to the target detected by the detection unit based on correspondence information that defines the advertising content corresponding to each candidate of the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for detecting suspicious activity in connection with advertisement impressions are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating intelligent virtual assistants into advertisements on social networking platforms are provided. When a user interacts with a content item, an intelligent virtual assistant is selected and put into contact with the user. The intelligent virtual assistant is provided with a context that includes information about the user in the social networking platform, information about the user in a customer relationship management platform, and information about the product, service, or entity associated with the content item. The context allows the intelligent virtual assistant to converse with the user in a way that feels natural and relevant to the user and allows the intelligent virtual assistant to answer any questions about the product, service, or entity associated with the content item.

Abstract: A method of providing targeted content across user channels includes receiving a plurality of device activity events on a user device, storing the received plurality of device activity events, creating an audience population based on the stored device activity events, determining links for additional secondary user devices based on the user device, creating a cross-channel advertising campaign targeting the determined audience population, and running the cross-channel advertising campaign based on the device activity and the determined additional secondary user devices.