Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying relative spending pattern data includes a process for displaying relative spending pattern data and/or an application for displaying relative spending pattern reports whereby, data representing various financial transactions is obtained and categorized by a computing system implemented financial management system. The financial transaction data is then stored. A user is then provided with a user interface including a capability to activate a selected item in order to generate a relative spending pattern data report for the selected item. Once an item is selected and/or activated, relative spending pattern report parameters are automatically selected based on historical transaction data and/or input by customers/users. A relative spending pattern report is then prepared using data from the computing system implemented financial management system and the relative spending pattern report parameters provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing sellers access to desirable consumers includes a process for providing sellers access to desirable consumers whereby financial transaction data for various consumers is obtained from one or more sources using a computing system implemented financial management system. The consumers' financial transaction data is then used by a provider of marketing and advertising tools to categorize consumers. Sellers are then charged for access to the consumers based on the consumer's category and/or historical financial transaction data and/or based on the consumer's eventual business with the seller as indicated by monitoring the consumers' financial transaction data.

Abstract: A system and method for product market analysis using consumer financial data obtains financial data associated with a given consumer. At least part of the consumer financial data is then stored by the process for product market analysis using consumer financial data, or another party/application, typically in accounts/locations associated with the given consumer. An electronic media based marketing device is then provided by a product marketer, the electronic media based marketing device being capable of activation. When a consumer activates the electronic media based marketing device at least part of the consumer financial data associated with the consumer is transferred to the product marketer. As a result, the product marketer obtains significant amounts of information for market analysis purposes such as creating a potential consumer profile and determining a target market for the given product an/or service.

Abstract: A system and method for predictive bill estimation includes a process for predictive bill estimation whereby financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained from one or more sources. The financial data obtained from the one or more contributing consumers is then aggregated, analyzed, and/or categorized, according to one or more criteria/parameters associated with the financial transaction data and/or the contributing consumer. The aggregated and/or categorized financial data is then stored. A user consumer then initiates a request for cost/bill data associated with a given area and/or event. The aggregated and/or categorized financial data obtained from one or more contributing consumers is then searched based on one or more search parameters and results data representing multiple financial transactions and/or purchases associated the specified area and/or event is obtained.

Abstract: A method for matching an unknown product to an offered product profile at a point of sale involves obtaining a first sensory input from the unknown product, where the first sensory input comprises at least a portion of an image, assigning a value to one or more characteristics of the first sensory input, searching a first product repository for a matching product profile using a pre-defined range based on the value of the one or more characteristics of the first sensory input, identifying the matching product profile on the first product repository when the offered product profile is within the pre-defined range, wherein the matching product profile includes a plurality of product information data, and conducting a transaction at the point of sale using the plurality of product information data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for facilitating communication between users. The method involves capturing a dialogue between the users; analyzing the dialogue to determine a usage pattern; selecting a communication tool, based on the usage pattern, that is suitable for a communication subsequent to the dialogue; informing the plurality of users of the communication tool suitable for the communication subsequent to the dialogue; and generating a summary of the communication subsequent to the dialogue.

Abstract: A system for displaying a spending comparison report includes a spending data repository, a report module, and a display device. The spending data repository is configured to store a current spending amount associated with a current spending group ID and a current spending date, and a historical spending amount associated with a historical spending group ID and a historical spending date. The report module is configured to obtain a spending data grouping selected from multiple spending data groupings, obtain a current date range for the spending data grouping, generate multiple selectable historical date ranges based on the current date range, obtain a historical date range selected from the multiple selectable historical date ranges, retrieve the current spending amount, retrieve the historical spending amount from the spending data repository, and obtain a spending difference between the current spending amount and the historical spending amount.

Abstract: A method and system for providing sellers access to desirable consumers includes a process for providing sellers access to desirable consumers whereby financial transaction data for various consumers is obtained from one or more sources using a computing system implemented financial management system. The consumers' financial transaction data is then used by a provider of marketing and advertising tools to categorize consumers. Sellers are then charged for access to the consumers based on the consumer's category and/or historical financial transaction data and/or based on the consumer's eventual business with the seller as indicated by monitoring the consumers' financial transaction data.