Abstract: A method for interpreting user submitted coupon images is described. A coupon image is received over a network from a user. The coupon image is associated with a coupon. A server system processes the received coupon image to identify one or more coupon matching characteristics. The one or more coupon matching characteristics are compared to historical coupon data stored in a coupon database. Matching coupon data is returned to the user if a coupon matching the one or more coupon matching characteristics is found in the coupon database. The received coupon image is transmitted for human assisted processing if a coupon matching the one or more coupon matching characteristics is not found in the coupon database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit.

Abstract: Coupon code redemption and/or administration is contemplated. The coupon code administration may be performed by temporarily using specific codes in place of coupon codes. The specific code may be beneficial in restricting access to the coupon codes and/or swaying consumers to redeem coupon codes through certain service provider infrastructures. The specific code may be provided to a website when purchasing a product and replaced prior to purchase confirmation with the actual coupon code required for redemption.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for verifying the location of a user when operating a program that tracks when a user is present at one or more locations. The system uses a display unit that displays a predictable pseudo random string that changes periodically. To verify that a user is at a particular location, the user enters the currently displayed pseudo random string in a web site. Based on the string entered, a server can verify the location of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation of coupons at a centralized server and distribution to multiple users is shown. The coupons are received at mobile devices and are redeemed at participating retail locations, which connect to an administration server that employs both an online and offline authentication process to ensure users are attempting to redeem valid coupon.

Abstract: A mobile loyalty system for preventing fraudulent redemption of a reward is disclosed which comprises a mobile communication device having a screen and configured to run a mobile application for obtaining a code representative of a visit to a merchant, the mobile application for transmitting information associated with obtaining the code representative of the visit to the merchant and for receiving information associated with a reward to be redeemed at the merchant, the screen for displaying the reward to be redeemed and a motion element for preventing fraudulent redemption of the reward.

Abstract: Techniques for voucher or rebate redemption are provided. An enterprise system electronically distributes an encoded voucher or rebate to a device of a consumer. In an embodiment, the consumer electronically presents the encoded rebate or voucher at a kiosk, via the device, and receives a card preloaded with a value for the voucher or the rebate. In another case, the consumer electronically presents the encoded rebate or voucher at a retailer, via the device, during a transaction and a value for the voucher or the rebate is debited based on the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide incentives to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage include receiving a call from the caller, offering an incentive to the caller to terminate the call and access the webpage, and providing an address of the webpage to the caller after the caller consents to terminate the call.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a device for storing and managing a coupon in a smart card. Such a device may include a receiver, a sensor, a writer, and a reader. The receiver may be configured to receive at least one of a write request and a read request from a user where the read request is for reading a selected coupon from the smart card and the write request is for writing a selected coupon the smart card. The sensor may be configured to sense a near field communication (NFC) tag included in a smart card when the smart card is located within a predetermined distance from the device. The writer may be configured to store coupon data of a selected coupon in the smart card in response to the write request. The reader may be configured to read coupon data stored in the smart card in response to the read request. The smart card may be a combi card capable of radio frequency communication with other entities.

Abstract: A system for processing a coupon offered for redemption in relation to a purchase transaction may include a database having stored therein fraudulent coupon data corresponding to one or more fraudulent coupons, and a purchase interface to process the purchase transaction. The purchase interface illustratively has a coupon processing module to compare the coupon to the fraudulent coupon data stored in the database and to automatically deduct a discount amount of the coupon from a price of a corresponding item included in the purchase transaction if the coupon does not match any of the one or more fraudulent coupons.

Abstract: A promotional system is provided that receives a promotional item and promotional campaign information comprising rules for distributing and tracking a plurality of offers including at least one promotional item, stores the promotional item and promotional campaign information comprising rules for distributing and tracking the plurality of offers, and obtains one promotional item and provides one offer comprising one code (or one validation element) with one promotional item and transmits the offer The design further includes obtaining the validation element or code provided from a user or user computing device at a point of sale, triggering a redemption indication for the promotional item. The design also includes receiving the redemption indication for the promotional item and limiting further use of the promotional item according to established rules maintained at the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention enables an overlay capability to be invoked on network systems and elements that are designed to support multiple customer bases. Depending on the registered identification of the user, screens and other user interfaces that provide access to functions can be overlaid on the network component and segmented along customer classifications.

Abstract: The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing coupons in a point of sale terminal includes receiving electronic coupon data representing a machine-readable coupon code. The coupon code is associated with a coupon presented by a customer at a retail point of sale. The method further includes receiving electronic coupon validation data representing at least one valid coupon code and/or at least one fraudulent coupon code. The method further comprises determining whether the coupon is valid based on the coupon code and the valid coupon code(s) and/or the fraudulent coupon code(s), and identifying the coupon as accepted or invalid based on the determination of whether the coupon is valid.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for redemption of a promotional code for acquisition of a digital product, such as an in-application asset, for use in a corresponding application program are disclosed. The in-application asset can, for example, pertain to a consumable asset or a non-consumable asset. The techniques and systems can operate to validate the promotional code that is being redeemed to acquire the in-application asset, and can confirm that a requestor's redemption device has the corresponding application program installed thereon. Compatibility of the corresponding application program with the in-application asset can be confirmed. Updates to the corresponding application program can also be provided.

Abstract: A method for verifying a location of a user of a mobile device is disclosed. The method involves: receiving an indicia of a location of the mobile device based on an at-location element proximate to the mobile device; receiving a global positioning system (GPS) position associated with the mobile device; determining whether at least one security condition is satisfied based on the indicia of the location and the GPS position; and causing a next action to occur when the at least one security condition is satisfied, or not causing the next action to occur when the at least one security condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A facility for distributing and redeeming electronic manufacturer coupons is described. The facility receives user input selecting a merchant location and displays information about offers redeemable at the selected merchant location that include at least one electronic manufacturer coupon. The facility receives user input requesting redemption of an electronic manufacturer coupon at the selected merchant location, and in response displays information about the distinguished electronic manufacturer coupon including a code for redemption of the offer, records data about the redemption, and transmits recorded redemption data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing a system for allowing coupon-based transaction, and, more particularly, to system and method for facilitating point-of-sale transaction based on the use of coupons.

Abstract: A sponsor-agnostic and scalable platform is disclosed that enables websites and point-of-sale terminals to apply targeted offers to anonymous consumers' purchases. Reimbursements to retailers for sponsors' offers are expedited by installing an API (Application Program Interface) at points-of-sale in the retailer's offer network. The API transmits reports and sales data to the platform for respective offer protocols submitted to the platform. The API also sends anonymous registration authentication data entered by a consumer at the point-of-sale to the platform and sends registered consumers' anonymous personae to the retailer's offer network which then supplies eligible offers to the point-of-sale. Alternatively, when sponsors' offer protocols specify which anonymous personae are eligible, the platform may send offers for which a persona of the registered consumer is eligible to the point-of-sale. The fully-implemented platform provides integrity alerts, sales demographics and consumer registration.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for ensuring secure and validated coupon generation and distribution, and the prevention of fraudulent coupon printing. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is provided to a consumer, where the URL points to a dynamic coupon webpage presentable to the consumer, and where the URL includes a link identifier indicative of a coupon contained on the dynamic coupon webpage to be printed. The URL may include a member identifier (MID) that uniquely identifies the consumer and provides security regarding the printing of the coupon by limiting the number of prints that the consumer can make of the coupon. Furthermore, a token may be utilized in conjunction with the MID for additional security regarding the printing of the coupon by preventing the printing of the coupon if the token is invalid or expired.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to optimally utilizing coupons stored in user equipment. Information on coupons stored in the user equipment may be collected by scanning memory sectors of the user equipment. A representative coupon code that represents the coupons stored in the user equipment may be generated to include the obtained coupon information with device identification (ID) information, authentication information, and service server information. Such a generated representative coupon code may be outputted upon a predetermined event.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a processing device that receives data related to a cursor movement towards an advertisement displayed on a web page. The processing device analyzes the cursor movement data and determines a confidence level useable in the determination of click fraud, the confidence level responsive to the analysis of the cursor movement. The received data includes data that the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a clicking the advertisement. In one embodiment, a click fraud is detected when the click occurred without the cursor crossing a pixel cluster, and no click fraud occurring when the click occurred after the cursor crossed a pixel cluster.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing electronic coupons are provided. The apparatus and methods include a system that uses a plurality of coupon processors to pull coupon data from an electronic coupon platform upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods additionally include a system that uses an electronic coupon platform to pushes data to a plurality of coupon processors upon the expiration of a predetermined time period. The apparatus and methods also include a system that redeems electronic coupons by initiating a deposit of an amount of funds in a customer bank account at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus and methods further include an electronic coupon platform that sends an electronic notification to a plurality of coupon processors upon the receipt of data from a first coupon processor which relates to the receipt of customer payment card and/or loyalty card information.

Abstract: For providing procedures, a synchronize module stores a plurality of procedures in a procedure database. Each procedure is indexed to a reference code. The synchronize module synchronizes the plurality of procedures to a mobile device. A retrieval module receives a first reference code at the mobile device and retrieves a first procedure indexed to the first reference code.

Abstract: A method to transfer money to a payee's payment card account, without requiring an additional payment card or without acquiring a payee's payment card information is disclosed. A payee registers a payment card with a service provider. The payment card is associated with a payment card account. A payor transfers an initial amount of money to the service provider to be given to the payee, when payee uses the registered payment card for a specified spending category. The service provider stores the money until the payee uses the registered payment card to make a qualified purchase.

Abstract: The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system of electronically requesting, generating and processing a coupon over a payment processing network is provided. During a sales transaction, a purchaser at a point of sale (POS) terminal provides a customer identifier using a card with a magnetic stripe which is read by a magnetic card reader and then transmitted across the payment processing network along with product identifiers on the products being purchased. The customer identifier includes a banking identification number (BIN) which is read by a first server in the payment processing network and then forwarded to a coupon server. The coupon server uses the customer identifier and product identifier to select any coupons that are available for use by the purchaser and transmits the coupons back to the POS terminal, where the coupons are applied to the sales transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes are disclosed. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. A coupon generated by the system and method of the present invention comprises an encoded area that consists essentially of a unique Coupon Id. The unique Coupon Id is also recorded in a database comprising a plurality of data tables. At least one of the data tables associates each Coupon Id with one or more of a Promotion Id and a Consumer Id. Preferably, the Print Id is also associated in a data table with a Session Id and information regarding the date/time of printing. The Ids other than the Coupon Id may not be printed on the coupon.

Abstract: An electronic coupon or voucher display includes a dynamic time-limited visual indicator that permits personnel at a vendor or merchant to confirm the validity of the coupon or voucher based solely on visual inspection of the dynamic time-limited visual indicator, without the need for scanning of the coupon or voucher, input of a coupon or voucher code, or communication with the coupon or voucher issuer. Display of the dynamic time-limited visual indicator is store or location specific and initiated following selection of a store or location, notification that a coupon or voucher is available and indication by the user of an intention to redeem the coupon or voucher, and a determination that the coupon or voucher is accepted at a detected location of the portable electronic device on which the coupon or voucher is to be displayed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for prompting mobile device users for feedback information using tone transmissions are provided. One device may include a network interface, a display, a microphone, and a processor in communication with the network interface, display, and microphone, where the processor is configured to execute computer executable instructions to receive, by the microphone, a tone, where the tone includes a location identifier. The processor is further configured to execute computer executable instructions to extract the location identifier from the tone, and transmit, via the network interface, a signal that includes at least a portion of the location identifier. Moreover, the processor is further configured to execute computer executable instructions to receive, via the network interface, user prompting information associated with the location identifier, and display at least a portion of the user prompting information on the display.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a server that hosts a website that includes a web page containing an advertisement. The server provides an advertisement on a web page, provides pixel clusters on the web page with the advertisement, each pixel cluster having an associated mechanism for capturing whether a cursor on the web page has transited the associated pixel cluster, and collects information based on the capturing of each associated mechanism of information regarding the transit of the pixel cluster by a cursor. The collected information is useable in a determination of a confidence level pertinent to the determination of click fraud occurring on the advertisement on the web page. The server verifies the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a controller of the cursor clicking the advertisement.

Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of an electronic coupon is described. The method includes transmitting the electronic coupon to a mobile device of a consumer and verifying the authenticity of the electronic coupon. The electronic coupon includes an image with one or more visual elements for display on the mobile device at least one of which is capable of moving when activated by a user of the electronic device. Observation of the movement of the moving visual element after activation confirms the authenticity of the electronic coupon. A computer readable medium comprising instructions to manipulate a processor is also described. The medium includes instructions to send display data for an electronic coupon image including one or more visual elements as described above to a mobile device of a consumer and instructions to activate the moving visual element when an input is received from a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for releasing a commodity is provided comprising: receiving commodity information from a client by a server; querying in a database, by the server, commodity order information corresponding to the commodity within a predetermined time period; obtaining, by the server, an average price for the commodity based on the commodity order information; and sending the average price and/or a price cut extent to the client by the server.

Abstract: A data distribution system which includes business groups, a client system and a main database system is described. Coupons and coupon data may be exchanged between the business groups, the client system and the main database system. Each coupon being exchanged may include one or more fraud protection features that can neither be altered nor tampered by users, consumers or retailers.

Abstract: A system and computerized method of processing a rebate claim from a purchaser comprising means for or steps of receiving and storing: (a) personal information about the purchaser, including an account identifier associated with a designated account, (b) promotion information comprising one or more promotional offers associated with one or more promoted products, (c) purchase information corresponding to the at least one purchase transaction in which the designated account was used as an instrument of payment. Purchase information is associated with the purchaser using the designated account identifier, the rebate claim is validated, and the collective value associated with the rebate claim is provided to the purchaser. One embodiment may comprise means for or a step of receiving an instruction from the purchaser via an online user interface prior to the end of a qualifying period authorizing completion of rebate claim processing.

Abstract: A Digital Shopping Network allows consumers to interact with a call to action (CTA) displayed with a unique serialized actionable medium. The actionable medium is associated with a uniquely identifiable variable offer at a public site. When the consumer responds to the CTA, a time variable offer response is generated by a processor accessing variable data stored in a Digital Network Database (DND) for that serialized actionable medium. The DND may include an Offer Database for multiple offer responses, including the time variable offer response, each offer response corresponding to a time variable description for a corresponding CTA available to the consumer at the public site. The offer response is communicated to the consumer, or to a designated recipient, via a mobile communication network, the Internet or other electronic means. The invention includes a network system, software program and a method of operating the network.

Abstract: In a display device 11, a receiving unit 20 receives delivered information including an advertisement of a product and code information to be provided to a store of an advertiser advertising the product to receive an incentive reward, a display unit 21 displays the advertisement included in the received delivered information, and a short-distance communication unit 22 readably provides the code information included in the received delivered information. A portable terminal device 12 reads the provided code information via a short-distance communication unit 53 that can read and write code information. In a store device 13 receives the code information using a short-distance communication unit 81 and offers an incentive reward when the code information is received.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for tying symbolic content to a physical locality in a user-performable activity scenario is provided. A computer-executable script for an activity scenario is stored. The activity scenario includes a plurality of user-performable written instructions and at least one requirements within the instructions. The at least one requirement includes both a presence of a mobile device and an acquisition of readable symbolic content by the mobile device while both within a geolocationally-defined physical area. The computer-executable script is executed on the mobile device by displaying the written instructions in the activity scenario to the user and determining fulfillment of the written instructions by the user. Upon satisfactory completion the written instructions in the activity scenario, as confirmed by the mobile device, an incentive is awarded to the user.

Abstract: A spend mapping tool provides a system, method, and computer program product for analyzing transactions between merchants and cardmembers. The tool groups a merchant by industry in a merchant industry group. The tool also groups a cardmember by industry in a cardmember industry group. Further, the tool analyzes transaction data from a transaction between at least one merchant in said merchant industry group and at least one cardmember in said cardmember industry group.

Abstract: A method for distributing coupons includes: storing consumer profiles, each profile including a consumer identifier and authentication information; storing coupons, each coupon including a coupon identifier, consumer identification, reward, and merchant identifier; receiving a request, the request including authentication data and merchant information; identifying a consumer profile for a consumer based on the authentication information and the authentication data; identifying a coupon associated with the merchant information and the consumer profile; and transmitting, to a merchant, the coupon.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing incentives and rewards to consumers in return for their sharing of their electronically-derived consumer location data and sharing their opinions and feedback. The system may be programmed to determine parameters of a reward offered to an individual consumer or group of consumers based on or more criteria. In addition, location-derived insights and information reported by the consumers may be used to segment and customize the available incentives and rewards for each consumer. Reward redemption analytics may also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of reward customization.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for validating computer hardware identification information. A validation server can receive a request from an offer provider to validate an instance of computer hardware for enrollment in an offer. The offer may be associated with a service identifier. The validation server can request a hardware identification code from the instance of computer hardware. The validation server can receive the hardware identification code from the instance of computer hardware. The validation server can validate that the hardware identification code is eligible to enroll in the offer associated with the service identifier and then transmit a response to the offer provider indicating the validated status while maintaining privacy of the hardware identification code away from the offer provider.

Abstract: A flexible spending account system can be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention so as to automatically substantiate purchases made at a retailer merchant. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of authorizing products for purchase can be implemented by determining via a computer that a product requested for purchase at a point of sale by a consumer matches a qualified product category under the flexible spending account, sending an authorization request message for requesting use of said flexible spending account of said consumer, wherein said authorization request message comprises a total purchase amount field and a first qualified amount field for a first type of qualified items.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and accounting for the improper use of a deal code on a mobile device. When the user initially configures the mobile device, the third-party provider receives information from the mobile device that includes user information, mobile device information, a deal code associated with a third-party service, information about an application program preloaded on the mobile device associated with the service, and a hash value that is at least partially calculated based on the foregoing. The third-party service provider calculates a second hash value at least partially based on the received information and based on other predetermined information and compares the first hash value to the second hash value. Based on the comparison, the system determines if use of the deal code is improper and, if so, tracks the user and mobile device information to prevent improper use of the deal code.

Abstract: Method for efficient use of meal vouchers comprising issuing a unique meal voucher having a per diem value and preset use criteria, verifying voucher validity for use under at least one preset criterion, and, if the preset criterion is satisfied, allowing the use of the voucher. Use criteria may include a day and time limitation on voucher use, redemption of the voucher for goods other than a meal and/or accumulation of the voucher per diem value to a preset sum and/or over a preset period. A system implementing the method includes a dedicated server running applications which enable interaction between employers, employees, meal and non-meal suppliers and non-employee users for issue, distribution and efficient use of meal vouchers which can also be redeemed for goods other than meals and/or have their per diem value accumulated before redemption.

Abstract: A system for managing coupon redemption and prioritization is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system allows an electronic coupon or reward to be redeemed a specific number of times. The specific number of times may range from one to infinity. According to another aspect of the system, the system automatically resolves any redemption conflict associated with the concurrent redemption of electronic coupon(s) and paper-based coupon(s) by using certain predefined rules and logic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting instances of click fraud are disclosed. Click fraud occurs when, for example, a user, malware, bot, or the like, clicks on a pay per click advertisement (e.g., hyperlink), a paid search listing, or the like without a good faith interest in the underlying subject of the hyperlink. Such fraudulent clicks can be expensive for an advertising sponsor. Statistical information, such as ratios of unpaid clicks to pay per clicks, are extracted from an event database. The statistical information of global data is used as a reference data set to compare to similar statistical information for a local data set under analysis. In one embodiment, when the statistical data sets match relatively well, no click fraud is determined to have occurred, and when the statistical data sets do not match relatively well, click fraud is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for monitoring compliance in reporting unclaimed property. The method is capable of identifying both potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters. In this regard, potential under-reporters may be identified as a result of a multilevel review that may take into account the recent reporting history, both in terms of frequency and the type and quantity of unclaimed property that has been reported. The potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters may then be further evaluated, such as by means of an audit or other follow up procedure, to insure compliance.