Abstract: The present invention relates to reusable metal substrate for photoelectrochemical solar water splitting applications. The process comprises preparing a surface of the metal substrate, coating the surface of the metal substrate using photoactive semiconductor thin films, forming a working electrode, scaling-up of the working electrode, and re-using the metal substrate. The present invention has advantages such as higher current, better handling, capability to reuse and capability of direct geometrical scale-up of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electrode (300, 400, 500). The electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a substrate (302). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a first conducting layer (304) disposed on the substrate (302). The first conducting layer (304) is formed of at least one of an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO). The electrode (300, 400, 500) also includes at least one semiconductor layer (308, 502) disposed on the first conducting layer (304). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes at least one connector (120, 402, 504) distributed across the first conducting layer (304) and adapted to conduct an electric current from the electrode (300, 400, 500).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to facilitate a purchase comprising: receiving, at a first host computer, a request from a provider for payment authorization for a charge to a purchaser; examining a database coupled to the first host computer for information concerning the purchaser; providing the information concerning the purchaser to a second host computer associated with the provider; receiving at the first host computer information from a third host computer concerning a negotiated amount of the charge to the purchaser; tendering payment of the negotiated charge to the provider; and withdrawing an amount no greater than the negotiated amount of the charge from an account of the purchaser.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument. A request to charge a tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by at least first and second cardmembers using respective transaction instruments associated with a single tax-advantaged account. A request from a merchant to charge a purchase by the first cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the first transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the first cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the first cardmember charge only if the first cardmember charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. A request is received from a merchant to charge the second cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the second transaction instrument. A determination is made whether the second cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented arrangement facilitates purchases by multiple cardmembers using respective transaction instruments, each transaction instrument being associated with a single tax-advantaged account. A merchant's requested payment from a point of sale device for a purchase by a cardmember against the tax-advantaged account is received by a host computer system, which determines whether the requested charge is associated with a tax-advantaged qualified expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. This process occurs for all other cardmembers making transactions associated with the same tax-advantaged account.

Abstract: A method for accelerating a payment to a merchant for a healthcare related claim. The method comprises submitting a healthcare related claim for payment from the merchant to a payer; determining at the payer whether the member is eligible for services covered as a part of his or her healthcare plan. If the member is determined to be eligible for payment of claim(s) submitted, then a financial institution is notified of an estimated amount of liability for the claim. At least a portion of the estimated amount of liability for the claim is paid to the merchant by the financial institution. The financial institution thereafter receives a reimbursement/payment from a healthcare finding source for the adjudicated amount of liability for the claim. Once the claim is adjudicated, a healthcare management system reconciles with the merchant for any under or over payment.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request from a provider for payment for a charge incurred by a purchaser; identifying a plurality of funding sources of the purchaser from which to draw funds for payment of the charge; and causing at least one of the plurality of funding sources to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for integrating verification of eligibility information of a card member enrolled in a health plan with a payment account required to pay for the services used according to the health plan is described. The present invention integrates card member information to a method which provides payment capabilities for services used by the card member. The invention encodes basic patient eligibility information onto a card magnetic stripe. This helps in overcoming any manual data entry errors that can resulted from a paper-based or paperless electronic process. The invention provides the ability to complete a transaction involving a medical service provider, a patient and a payer in a single swipe of card.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for capturing Line-Item-Detail to assist in substantiating eligible expenses for participating card holders. The system leverages existing data feeds to capture Line-Item-Detail at a point of sale (POS). Advanced filtering and transmission protocols are implemented to enable the process of capturing and transmission of data. The system helps to reduce the number of paper receipts that are required from card members, especially those resulting from over the counter purchases at retail stores. By flagging eligible purchases, the invention aids in automation of the rebate/claims process thereby leading to a faster rebate process and hence, improving customer satisfaction.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for integrating verification of eligibility information of a card member enrolled in a health plan with a payment account required to pay for the services used according to the health plan is described. The present invention integrates card member information to a Practice Management System which provides payment capabilities for services used by the card member. The invention encodes basic patient eligibility information onto a card magnetic stripe. This helps in overcoming any manual data entry errors that can result from a paper-based or paperless electronic process. The invention provides the ability to complete a transaction involving a medical service provider, a patient and a payer in a single swipe of card.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for linking healthcare purchases to tax advantaged accounts by means of a card containing a card member's data. The system assists in substantiating eligible expenses for participating card holders. The system leverages existing data feeds. By flagging eligible purchases, the invention aids in automation of the rebate/claims process thereby leading to a faster substantiation of claims and hence, improving customer satisfaction. The individual card member, the card company and a service providing merchant can also communicate through a common platform like a third party website to manually substantiate any pending claims corresponding to purchases. The invention circumvents the need for a card member to use electronic payment cards at only eligible health care merchants and assists individual card members in getting benefits for eligible purchases made using the electronic card at non-healthcare merchants.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase. A request for payment for a charge by a provider to a customer having a plurality of accounts is received at a host computer. At least one of the accounts qualifies for pre-tax treatment and at least one account does not qualify for pre-tax treatment. A hold is placed on funds in one or more of the plurality of accounts sufficient to cover the charge. The host determines whether the charge qualifies for pre-tax treatment. If the charge qualifies for pre-tax treatment, then at least the account qualifying for pre-tax treatment is debited for some or all of the charge.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument. A request to charge a tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by at least first and second cardmembers using respective transaction instruments associated with a single tax-advantaged account. A request from a merchant to charge a purchase by the first cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the first transaction instrument is received at a host computer. A determination is made whether the first cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is credited with points associated with the value of the first cardmember charge only if the first cardmember charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. A request is received from a merchant to charge the second cardmember against the tax-advantaged account for a transaction using the second transaction instrument. A determination is made whether the second cardmember charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to facilitate a purchase by a cardmember using a transaction instrument associated with a tax-advantaged account, wherein the tax-advantaged account is associated with a healthcare plan. A request is received from a merchant to charge the tax-advantaged account for a transaction associated with the transaction instrument. A determination is made whether the charge is for a covered tax-advantaged expense The tax-advantaged account is credited with healthcare plan related points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense. The tax-advantaged account is also credited with transaction instrument related points associated with the value of the charge only if the charge is determined to be for a covered tax-advantaged expense.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request from a purchaser for payment authorization for a charge for an item; determining whether said item qualifies for payment of a discounted amount of the item charge; receiving at the host computer a request from a provider for payment of the item charge; identifying a funding source of the purchaser from which to draw funds for payment of the item charge; and causing the funding source to be debited for at least a portion of the discounted amount of the item charge based on the payment authorization.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request from a provider for payment for a charge incurred by a purchaser; identifying a plurality of funding sources of the purchaser from which to draw funds for payment of the charge; and causing at least one of the plurality of funding sources to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of said item based on said payment authorization.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to facilitate a purchase comprising: receiving, at a first host computer, a request from a provider for payment authorization for a charge to a purchaser; examining a database coupled to the first host computer for information concerning the purchaser; providing the information concerning the purchaser to a second host computer associated with the provider; receiving at the first host computer information from a third host computer concerning a negotiated amount of the charge to the purchaser; tendering payment of the negotiated charge to the provider; and withdrawing an amount no greater than the negotiated amount of the charge from an account of the purchaser.