Abstract: Systems and methods for gamification-based engagement are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for gamification-based engagement, may include: (1) receiving, from a plurality of data sources, customer activity data comprising customer behavioral data and customer transactional data for a plurality of customers; (2) generating a dynamic customer profile for each of the customers based on the customer activity data and the customer transactional data; (3) retrieving challenge data for a challenge comprising an identification of a plurality of tasks to be completed, an order in which the tasks are to be completed, and an incentive for completing the tasks; (4) dynamically matching one of the customers to the challenge; (5) issuing the challenge to the customer; (6) tracking the customer's response to the challenge; and (7) updating the customer's dynamic customer profile based on the customer's response.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gamification-based engagement are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for gamification-based engagement, may include: (1) receiving, from a plurality of data sources, customer activity data comprising customer behavioral data and customer transactional data for a plurality of customers; (2) generating a dynamic customer profile for each of the customers based on the customer activity data and the customer transactional data; (3) retrieving challenge data for a challenge comprising an identification of a plurality of tasks to be completed, an order in which the tasks are to be completed, and an incentive for completing the tasks; (4) dynamically matching one of the customers to the challenge; (5) issuing the challenge to the customer; (6) tracking the customer's response to the challenge; and (7) updating the customer's dynamic customer profile based on the customer's response.

Abstract: A method and device are described for maintaining software components in a portable electronic device. The device includes memory storing software components executable from the device, with associated pairs of logical storage partitions for storing different versions of the software components, a data interface for coupling the device to a host computer, a contactless interface for receiving payment token data from a contactless payment token, and a cellular network interface for communication of data over a cellular network. An upgrade process is initiated when the device is coupled to the host computer. Data including a different version of at least one of said software components is received, installed and executed to initiate a payment transaction with a remote system. Payment token data is received via the contactless interface means and transmitted to the remote system.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers and receiving, via the user interface, user input indicating selection criteria for recommending content. The selection criteria include an amount of time available to the user. The method includes providing, to a network device, an indication of the selection criteria and receiving, from the network device, information for providing recommended content options based on the selection criteria. The recommended content options are available from different content providers of the multiple content providers. The method includes presenting, to the user and via the interface, the recommended content options in association with the selection criteria.

Abstract: A user device includes a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers, each of the multiple content providers having a separate subscription associated with the user. The user device receives user input indicating interest in an aspect of particular content available from a first content provider of the multiple content providers and provides, to a network device, an indication of the user interest. The user device receives, from the network device, links to additional content available from a different content provider and related to the aspect of the particular content. The user device presents, via the user interface, the links to the additional content in association with the aspect of the particular content.

Abstract: A user device presents, to a user, media content provided from multiple providers and logs the presented media content from the multiple providers. The user device indicates, based on the multiple providers, proportions of the presented media content from the multiple providers during a particular reporting period and determines whether particular presented media content, of the presented media content from the particular reporting period, was available for presentation from another of the multiple providers. The user device generates a report, for the user, that indicates if the presented media content could have been consolidated among fewer of the multiple providers.

Abstract: A system may receive an input specification, compose a workflow by connecting an output port of a first one of a plurality of work units to an input port of a second one of the work units, receive a work order associated with the workflow, decompose the workflow into constituent work units upon receipt of the work order, instantiate tasks that correspond to the work units, generate a bill of materials that lists input and output files associated with the tasks based on the tasks and the input specification, and update fields of the bill of materials, the fields indicating states of the input and output files.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an order associated with processing a media file and generating a workflow associated with fulfilling the order. The method may also include identifying tasks associated with the workflow and generating an estimate associated with executing the tasks. The method may further include allocating resources associated with executing the tasks and scheduling execution of the order.

Abstract: A method and device are described for maintaining software components in a portable electronic device. The device includes memory storing software components executable from the device, with associated pairs of logical storage partitions for storing different versions of the software components, a data interface for coupling the device to a host computer, a contactless interface for receiving payment token data from a contactless payment token, and a cellular network interface for communication of data over a cellular network. An upgrade process is initiated when the device is coupled to the host computer. Data including a different version of at least one of said software components is received, installed and executed to initiate a payment transaction with a remote system. Payment token data is received via the contactless interface means and transmitted to the remote system.

Abstract: A user device includes a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers, each of the multiple content providers having a separate subscription associated with the user. The user device receives user input indicating interest in an aspect of particular content available from a first content provider of the multiple content providers and provides, to a network device, an indication of the user interest. The user device receives, from the network device, links to additional content available from a different content provider and related to the aspect of the particular content. The user device presents, via the user interface, the links to the additional content in association with the aspect of the particular content.

Abstract: A user device presents, to a user, media content provided from multiple providers and logs the presented media content from the multiple providers. The user device indicates, based on the multiple providers, proportions of the presented media content from the multiple providers during a particular reporting period and determines whether particular presented media content, of the presented media content from the particular reporting period, was available for presentation from another of the multiple providers. The user device generates a report, for the user, that indicates if the presented media content could have been consolidated among fewer of the multiple providers.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers and receiving, via the user interface, user input indicating selection criteria for recommending content. The selection criteria include an amount of time available to the user. The method includes providing, to a network device, an indication of the selection criteria and receiving, from the network device, information for providing recommended content options based on the selection criteria. The recommended content options are available from different content providers of the multiple content providers. The method includes presenting, to the user and via the interface, the recommended content options in association with the selection criteria.

Abstract: A system may receive an input specification, compose a workflow by connecting an output port of a first one of a plurality of work units to an input port of a second one of the work units, receive a work order associated with the workflow, decompose the workflow into constituent work units upon receipt of the work order, instantiate tasks that correspond to the work units, generate a bill of materials that lists input and output files associated with the tasks based on the tasks and the input specification, and update fields of the bill of materials, the fields indicating states of the input and output files.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an order associated with processing a media file and generating a workflow associated with fulfilling the order. The method may also include identifying tasks associated with the workflow and generating an estimate associated with executing the tasks. The method may further include allocating resources associated with executing the tasks and scheduling execution of the order.

Abstract: An exemplary method and apparatus for facilitating contact sharing between users of a communication network are described. The method may include maintaining contact information in first and second address books associated with first and second users, respectively, and forwarding, from the first user to the second user, a request to copy contact information from the first address book to the second address book. The method may further include receiving a confirmation from the second user in response to the request, and copying the contact information from the first address book to the second address book in response to the confirmation.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.