Abstract: A purchase management system includes a central database arrangement, a customer interface to the central database arrangement, and a bank specific database module, arranged to communicate with a transaction authorization module within a bank. The central database arrangement is arranged to receive, from a purchasing entity through the customer interface, purchasing rules applying to a purchasing group, and includes central processing means arranged to: add a selected purchasing group as metadata linked to a first transaction ID in the central database arrangement; add the purchasing rules applying to said purchasing group as metadata linked to the first transaction ID in the central database arrangement; and transfer metadata linked to the first transaction ID to the bank specific database module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method including storing assets from an external entity in a first wallet of a payment service; training a machine-learning model using transaction data, user data, and/or rewards data; determining, using the machine-learning model, reward offers personalized for a user; activating a reward offer; receiving a request to process payment for a user's payment transaction; determining that a reward configuration is applicable; determining an amount of stored assets to assign to the user and assigning the assets to a second wallet of the user, wherein assigning the amount comprises: updating, using an internal ledger, the first wallet to indicate that a portion of the stored assets is owned by the user; and updating the second wallet to indicate ownership of the amount of the asset, wherein the updating of the first wallet and the second wallet is performed without accessing the external entity when updating.

Abstract: An automatic billing updater (ABU) manager computing device for managing an account information data source and tracking access to the account information data source is provided. The ABU manager computing device receives account data from an issuing party, stores the account information in an account information data source, and provides the account data to requesting parties. The ABU manager computing device tracks access to the stored account data via an ABU traffic data source. ABU manager computing device may also track transaction-related messages corresponding to the stored account data in a transaction traffic data source. In certain embodiments, ABU manager computing device may generate and transmit notifications based on data stored in one or more of the stored account data, the ABU traffic data source, and the transaction traffic data source.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for facilitating access to linked information to GPS or short-range wireless equipped devices. One example method may comprise receiving, via a network, an indication of an interaction between a primary device and a third-party device, the indication comprising at least a first element and a second element, the first element indicative of user identification information and the second element indicative of at least one of a location or a bounded region, determining, as a function of at least the first element and the second element, a data object that upon validation is configured for use a subsequent interaction, and transmitting, to a mobile device, an electronic communication comprising an indication, configured for rendering on the mobile device, of the data object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing a notification to a user may include: obtaining a plurality of trigger conditions; monitoring a web session of the user to determine whether a trigger condition of the plurality of trigger conditions is satisfied; and in response to determining that the trigger condition is satisfied, executing a notification process, wherein the notification process includes: obtaining vendor information based on the trigger condition that is triggered, the vendor information including information associated with one or more vendors associated with the trigger condition that is triggered and/or alternative offer information associated with the one or more vendors; and causing display of a notification, the notification including information corresponding to the one or more vendors and/or the alternative offer information.

Abstract: A system for employing machine learning to generate customized notifications for a user is provided. The system may identify a landmark in proximity to a user's mobile device and may obtain information associated with products or services offered by the landmark. While the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the landmark, a machine learning model may be employed to generate a customized notification, such as an offer—e.g., a discount or a special financing offer for one of the identified products—generated specifically for use by the user based on the user's spending and/or financing history. The customized notification may be transmitted to the mobile device with a security key for accessing the offer. In response to receiving an indication that the security key was selected and the product purchased, the user may be authenticated and the offer may be applied to an account associated with the user.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a client device associated with a customer, an agreement of the customer to join a rewards program, and may receive, from the client device and based on the customer joining the rewards program, item data identifying an item placed in a shopping cart by the customer and customer data identifying the customer, wherein the item data is received by a transaction card from a price tag of the item, and wherein the item data is received after the item has been removed from a shelf and placed in the shopping cart. The device may receive rewards data identifying rewards associated with a plurality of items, and may process the item data, the rewards data, and the customer data, with a machine learning model, to identify a reward for the customer. The device may provide, to the client device, data identifying the reward.

Abstract: The email suggestor system and method provide an efficient and effective way to capture a user identifier, such as an email address of a consumer in a retail environment. The email suggestor system generates one or more suggested first text portions based on input data, outputs at least one of the suggested first text portions, and receives a selection of a first text portion. The email suggestor system generates one or more suggested second text portions of a user identifier based on the input data, outputs at least one of the suggested second text portions, and receives a selection of a second text portion. The email suggestor system generates a user identifier including the selected first text portion and the selected second text portion. The email suggestor system uses received feedback response to refine and/or train one or more models with which it generates the suggested text portions.

Abstract: A communications method and a communications apparatus and system are provided, and are applied to smart home systems. The method includes: a home device sends operation information to a server, where the operation information is used to indicate an operation performed by a user on the home device; and after receiving the operation information from the home device, the server determines a target account, where the target account is one of accounts associated with the home device, and sends a notification message to a target terminal device, where the notification message includes status information used to indicate a status of the home device, the status information is related to the operation information, and the target terminal device is a terminal device on which the target account is logged in.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-checkout terminals and systems and methods for controlling the same. The systems and methods may include receiving a first image of the customer queuing area from the first camera and determining that a customer is in the customer queuing area. A first wakeup signal may be transmitted to one of the self-checkout terminals when the customer is in the customer queuing area. A second image of the customer queuing area may be received from the first camera and a determination may be made that the customer queuing area is void of customers. A first sleep signal may be transmitted to the one of the self-checkout terminals when the customer queuing area is void of the customers.

Abstract: Methods and systems of applying retroactive adjustments to financial data. An example method includes: receiving one or more adjustment records associated with a financial account; saving a snapshot of the financial account, the snapshot comprising a plurality of transaction records reflecting previously processed transactions associated with the financial account; merging the adjustment records and the transaction records to produce a plurality of adjusted transaction records; processing adjusted transaction records to produce an updated state of the financial account; comparing the saved snapshot to the updated state of the financial account to produce one or more adjustment events; and processing the adjustment events using one or more event processing rules.

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: A payment system is described. The payment system includes a transaction system. The transaction system is configured to receive, from a merchant system, a request for a code to complete a sales transaction between the merchant system and a payment application installed on a client system, the request including information about the sales transaction. The payment system is also configured to, in response to the request for the code to complete the sales transaction, generate the code based on the information about the sales transaction. Further, the transaction system is configured to transmit the code to the merchant system. The merchant system is configured to provide the code to the client system.

Abstract: A method for linking alternative payment information with customer loyalty data includes obtaining a customer loyalty identifier associated with a customer, reading customer data from a database based on the obtained customer loyalty identifier, obtaining alternative payment information from the read customer data, determining whether payment by the alternative payment information is enabled for the customer loyalty identifier, prompting the customer to enable payment by the alternative payment information, prompting the customer for authorization information associated with payment by the alternative payment information, enabling payment by the alternative payment information for the customer loyalty identifier, and applying the alternative payment information to a current purchase of the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for issuance of individualized promotional offers that can only be redeemed for purchase of specified items are disclosed. The promotional offers are only valid when they are used to purchase certain items. If an attempt to use the promotional offer is made and an authorized product is not part of the purchase transaction, the promotional offer will not be useable. Instead, the operator of the point-of-sale device that receives the promotional offer will not be able to validate the promotional offer. The validation of the promotional offer (when a correct item is part of the purchase) or lack thereof (when a correct item is not part of the purchase) occurs entirely at the point of sale, without requiring a point-of-sale device to communicate externally with any systems or devices to receive instructions relating to which products are authorized for use with the promotional offers.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may include a screen, a camera, a communication interface, a processor, and memory. A native mobile application executing thereon may be configured to: obtain, by way of the communication interface, a plurality of orders; display, on the screen, a first graphical user interface depicting one or more of the plurality of orders; receive, by way of the screen, a selection of a particular order from the one or more of the plurality of orders; display, on the screen, a second graphical user interface depicting the particular order and that the line item has been ordered but not received; capture, by way of the camera, an image of a physical package; determine that a machine-readable representation from the image is associated with the line item; and transmit, by way of the communication interface, an update indicating that the line item has been received.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computing devices for determining a price of a good during a time period are described. The method includes scanning, via a scanner coupled to a computing device or a server, a readable identification tag affixed to the good and querying the computing device or the server to identify, from the readable identification tag, the good and information associated with the good. The information comprises one or more price-calculation factors assigned to the good. The method further includes applying an algorithm of a dynamic pricing engine to the identified good to: calculate a price of the good and modify the calculated price of the good to optimize a target function. The optimization depends on the one or more price-calculation factors. The method further includes transmitting the optimized price of the good to a display for display to a customer.

Abstract: A machine learning algorithm is trained to learn to cluster a plurality of original-destination routes in a network for transporting cargo into a plurality of clusters based on similarities of the original-destination routes, and to learn to cluster the plurality of clusters into a plurality of subgroups based on customer behavior. Influencing criteria associated with each of the subgroups may be determined and based on the influencing criteria, a price elasticity curve for each of the subgroups may be generated. Based on the price elasticity curve and current network traffic, cargo transportation price associated with each of the subgroups may be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for allowing E-coupons to be generated by a customer based, at least in part, by actions taken by the customer. In one embodiment, a pyramid arrangement is disclosed in which the customer obtains E-coupons based primarily on activities performed by someone else in the pyramid. In another embodiment, the customer may make a purchase and credits for that purchase may be applied to another customer's account in the form of an E-coupon.

Abstract: A system for linking coupons to financial accounts using a mobile device that includes a financial institution database that stores an account of an account holder, a communication interface of a financial institution that receives, via a network, coupon data associated with one or more discounts from a mobile device of the account holder, a linking processor that associates the coupon data with the account of the account holder, an authorization network interface that receives transaction data relating to transactions associated with the account of the account holder, a comparison processor of a financial institution that determines compares the coupon data with the transaction data to determine whether a qualifying transaction has occurred, and a discount processor of a financial institution that provides a credit to an account holder when a qualifying transaction has occurred.

Abstract: A geographical merchant consortium commerce system provides contextual offers to subscribed customers to encourage shopping locally. The system includes a plurality of merchants that operate a business within a geographical region, such as within a mall or town. A customer subscribes to the system and provides contextual data such as demographic data, a shopping list and specific personal dates, such as wedding anniversary, or birthday. The system also conducts analysis of internet activity to determine smart needs of the customer. The system then provides contextual offers to the subscribed customer for products based on the contextual data. These offers may be a combined contextual offer, having two or more products from two or more of the plurality of merchants. In addition, a contextual offer may be a proximity contextual offer that is provided to the subscribed customer when they move close to the geographical region of the plurality of merchants.

Abstract: A system for processing a digital promotion may include user devices and a geolocation beacon at a redemption location. The system may also include a digital promotion server to detect presence of a given user device at the redemption location based upon communication with the geolocation beacon. The digital promotion server may also operate a messenger bot to collect information and communicate a digital promotion for a product to the given user device based upon the collected information and the detection of presence of the given user device at the redemption location, and obtain an amount due from the redemption location and associated with the given user device. The digital promotion server may also communicate to the redemption location authorization for payment of the amount due based upon the detection of presence of the given user device at the redemption location and based upon the collected information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for location-based time-limited services. In exemplary embodiments, one or more beacons are disposed within a facility to define a geo-fenced zone. A dynamic notification module implemented in a server receives a notification that a client device is within the geo-fenced zone and determines that the device meets designated criteria based on the device interacting with the beacons at a designated time. The dynamic notification module transmits a first message to the device that includes item information associated with the geo-fenced zone, receives a response to the first message at a subsequent time and in response transmits instructions to the device to execute a time-limited service. Subsequently, the dynamic notification module transmits a second message to the device including information for a complementary item and a dynamic sale price for the complementary item.

Abstract: A computer-based method for managing a profile for a cardholder is provided. The cardholder having an account associated with a payment card. The method includes electronically receiving, at the computer, transaction information for a cardholder for transactions with at least a first business entity and a second business entity, the transaction information including data representing each transaction initiated by the cardholder using the payment card and at least one subdivision within the first business entity, the transaction information further including data representing each transaction initiated by the cardholder using the payment card and the second business entity.

Abstract: Systems and related methods of providing promotional offers to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for an apparatus including circuitry configured to provide promotional offers to consumers based on dimensions representing criteria by which promotions may be deemed relevant to a consumer. Some examples of dimensions may include location, time, environment, price, and/or consumer preference. Based on receiving signals from the consumer device, among other sources, indicating associated times, locations, and other characteristics of consumer activity, the apparatus may recognize patterns or trends in consumer behavior, and use such information to predict or influence future consumer behavior.

Abstract: A method for providing a locked electronic item includes receiving a selection of an electronic lock and the electronic item from a first computing device associated with a sender. The electronic lock includes a lock clue and a lock solution. The method includes determining an answer input field configuration that includes a number of input boxes and spaces that may be arranged to correspond to the lock solution. The method includes transmitting the lock clue and the input field configuration to a second computing device associated with a recipient for display by the second computing device and receiving an attempted lock solution from the second computing device. The method further includes transmitting the electronic item to the second computing device for display or use by the second computing device in response to determining that the attempted lock solution matches the lock solution.

Abstract: A system for processing a coupon that includes coded indicia having an image insufficient for redemption may include a mobile wireless communications device configured to acquire the image of the coupon. The system may also include a digital coupon conversion server that includes a processor and memory cooperating therewith to receive the image of the coupon from the mobile wireless communications device and process the image of the coupon to generate a modified image sufficient for redemption. The processor and memory may cooperate to store the modified image for subsequent retrieval and redemption.

Abstract: Multiple on-line coupons are automatically tested on items of interest to a customer, without requiring the customer to perform any action or to look for such coupons in various sources. Such testing can be automatically initiated and performed on items within the customer's shopping cart. Alternatively or additionally, testing can be automatically initiated and performed while the customer is browsing a page for an item on an e-commerce website, before the customer has even placed items in his or her shopping cart. The best coupon or coupons are then presented to the customer, or automatically applied to provide the customer with the appropriate discounts.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a display, a memory, and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to: display, via the display, an indication which is stored in the memory and corresponds to a payment means; confirm circumstantial information on the electronic device; if the circumstantial information satisfies a first designated condition, display first additional information on the payment means in association with the indication via the display; and if the circumstantial information satisfies a second designated condition, display second additional information on the payment means in association with the indication via the display. Other embodiments are also available.

Abstract: Method for monitoring for presence in a surveillance zone (ZS) using a surveillance system (SY), comprising the following steps: detecting an absence of movement or of at least one movement of at least one entity (E1, E2, En) in a detection zone (ZD); creating and/or modifying, in a memory of the surveillance device (Dl), a piece of movement information (IM); sending the movement information (IM) using the surveillance device (Dl) to a processing unit (UT) of the surveillance system (SY); detecting an absence or a presence of at least one terminal (T1, T2, T3, Tn) in a communication network (RI); creating and/or modifying, in a memory of a listening module (ME), a piece of presence information (IP); and sending the piece of presence information (IP), using the listening module (ME), to the processing unit (UT).

Abstract: A computer implemented electronic computer system using a blockchain method for creating, distributing, validating, and redeeming a secure electronic smartcoupon. A smartcoupon transaction record is highly secure and may comprise embedded business rules that define the requirements that consumers and retailers must meet for the smartcoupon to redeemed. Consumers may save or hold smartcoupons in a variety of different digital wallets. Retailers may redeem through their POS system by evaluating the embedded business rules in the smartcoupon against the consumer's purchase basket and if valid, completing the redemption process by publishing a redemption token to smartcoupon transaction record on the Blockchain database.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an interactive retail venue includes a computing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and multiple product sensors. The computing platform includes a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue orchestration software code. The hardware processor executes the venue orchestration software code to receive sensor data from the product sensors, determine respective locations of retail products within the interactive retail venue based on the sensor data, and present a multi-media entertainment featuring the retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system. The hardware processor further executes the venue orchestration software code to concurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least one of the retail products is situated within a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit.

Abstract: An ordering system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. Each terminal generates changes for one or more orders in a restaurant, and queues the changes in queues for the one or more orders, and transmits the changes, from oldest to youngest, when operably connected to a network. The mobile terminals may communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. When programmed in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the Wi-Fi network, and when programmed in a White-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the White-Fi network. The backend server is coupled to the mobile terminals via the network, and receives the changes, and is transmits the changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server a band assignment map that indicates whether each of the mobile terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in the Wi-Fi mode or the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and transaction management computing devices that assist with processing a transaction involving a merchant and a user using a system include receiving over at least one communication channel an indication of a user transaction. Location information indicating a location of the user transaction or merchant information indicating a merchant involved in the user transaction is determined. A first attribute package and a first payment format is identified and communicated to the client device. The user transaction is initiated upon receiving a confirmation indicating selection of the identified first payment format and the identified first attribute package. The user transaction is held open for a predetermined period of time to allow the user to modify the selected first payment format or the selected first attribute package for the user transaction to a different attribute package or a different payment format.

Abstract: The systems and methods discussed herein provide for a method that includes receiving, by a device, a first image of a plurality of individuals. The method further includes identifying, by the device from a database comprising images of individuals, a plurality of individuals within the first image. The method further includes for each identified individual within the first image, by the device, identified individual with a first value. The method further includes, generating, by the device to a second device, a record comprising identifications of each identified individual within the first image and the first value.

Abstract: Retail merchants, third-party manufacturers, and/or distributors of retail goods market and distribute promotions to consumers based on the consumers' transaction histories (i.e., users that do not typically purchase a particular brand of soda) and/or award promotions to consumers targeted to a specific item, class or category of item, or characteristic of an item. The promotion redeems and is applied automatically to reduce the purchase amount when the consumer presents a payment method for a transaction for the purchase of a targeted item.

Abstract: A coupon clearinghouse server receives a request for a coupon offer from a client device. The server transmits only a first subset of coupon offer data for the coupon offer to the client device, and stores, in memory, a first code for a first merchant at which the coupon offer is redeemable. The code is not revealed to the client device. Subsequently, the server receives, from the client device, a second code that the client device has obtained at a point of sale system. The server determines if there is a match between the first code and the second code, and if so, transmits the second subset of coupon offer data including coupon offer redemption instructions to the client device. The client device presents the now complete coupon offer to the point of sale system to redeem the coupon offer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for monitoring a payment machine are provided. One of the methods includes: monitoring a payment machine's interaction with a terminal; and in response to determining that the payment machine is obtaining payment information from the terminal, sending, in a low-power-consumption communication mode, attribute information of the payment machine to the terminal, causing the terminal to send the attribute information to a server for monitoring an operation status of the payment machine.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for modifying a temporal signal association in a complex computing network such that a future computing operation is executed based on the modified signal association.

Abstract: Presented are relation inference methods and systems that use deep learning techniques for data mining documents to discover a relation between terms of interest in a given field covering a specific topic. For example, in the healthcare domain, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a relation inference system that mines large-scale medical documents in a free-text database to extract symptom and disease terms and generates relation information that aids in disease diagnosis. In embodiments, this is accomplished by training and using an RNN, such as an LSTM, a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), etc., that takes advantage of a term dictionary to examine co-occurrences of terms of interest within documents to discover correlations between the terms. The correlation may then be used to predict statistically most probable terms (e.g., a disease) related to a given search term (e.g., a symptom).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisting a customer with purchasing a merchandise item in a store. Assisting the customer may include determining a location of a customer (i.e., customer device) in the store, identifying merchandise items located adjacent to the customer, receiving selection of a merchandise item for purchase from the identified merchandise items, receiving payment authorization information for the purchase, and initiating delivery of the merchandise item to the customer. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for inventory management in a store. Consistent with certain embodiments, computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for selecting a sensor, receiving a sensor identifier and a position of the sensor, receiving merchandise identifiers for merchandise items located near the sensor, and storing the merchandise identifiers in association with the sensor identifier.

Abstract: A product display apparatus includes: (i) a shelving unit (12) defining a plurality of vertically arranged shelves (14); (ii) a base (18) mounted to one of the shelves (14); (Hi) an elongate arm (20) slidably connected to the base (18); (iv) an actuator (24) for extending and retracting the arm (20); (v) at least one first sensor (32) that senses the presence of an object at: (a) a first predetermined distance; and (b) a second predetermined distance; (vi) a control module (36) that causes the actuator (24) to extend and retract the arm (20) in response to feedback from the at least one first sensor (32); (vii) a connecting means (26) at or near a first axial end (20a) of the arm (20); and (viii) a product (16) secured to the first axial end (20a) of the arm (20) via the connecting means.

Abstract: Unlike conventional systems, an engagement platform is able to provide information to the user, give insight as to why the product was recommended, and distinguish their own product from the products of other providers. As a result, the user is able to gain transparency into a process that conventionally does not represent why a user is being targeted with a particular product or which product is associated with the recommendation engine. Instead, conventional user interfaces merely present the information in manner without showing information about the reason for the generation of that message or prompt and without any visible indicators of which products are sold by the host of that interface versus other competitors.

Abstract: A method of authenticating the warranty of a product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a product; the product placed in a packaging; the packaging is tagged with a product tracking device which is accessible for being read by a scanner; an authentication device placed inside the packing to be physically out of reach unless the packaging has been opened; the authentication device contains an authentication code; when the authentication code in the device is read by a scanner and sent to an authentication server to authenticate the product, the server generates a warranty code linked to an account of the first buyer of the product.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media for detecting a mobile device and identifying a user of the device are provided. A wireless signature or other unique identifier of a device may be detected. User information for the device may be obtained from a secondary source independent of the mobile device. Once a user is identified, user information may be retrieved and the user identity and user information may be associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is then detected at a later time (e.g., after the information has been associated with the device), one or more offers may be generated based on the associated information and/or the location of the device at the time it is detected.

Abstract: A mobile terminal that can be utilized for a checkpoint management system performs contactless electric communication with a reader/writer device for a passive RFID tag. An application processing unit cooperates with an application server through electronic communication. A position information acquisition unit acquires current position information of the mobile terminal. A terminal controller or a RFID tag processing unit receives a signal related to a carrier wave or a command emitted from the reader/writer device which results in a trigger that causes the application processing unit to operate. The application processing unit acquires from the mobile terminal personal information and chronologic information. The application processing unit further transmits the information to the application server together with current position information.

Abstract: One embodiment for determining a marketing incentive for a user of an electronic device. In one embodiment, a computer processor detects a first electronic device within a retail environment utilizing a second electronic device that also identifies information associated with the first electronic device. In one embodiment, a computer processor determines a behavior associated with the first electronic device based, at least in part, on movement of the first electronic device within the retail environment. In one embodiment, a computer processor identifies data associated with the retail environment that includes information associated with a retailer associated with the retail environment and information associated with the first electronic device. In one embodiment, a computer processor determines a first marketing incentive based, at least in part, on the determined behavior associated with the first electronic device and the identified data associated with the retail environment.

Abstract: A mobile point-of-sale (POS) terminal for processing a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant includes a first mobile computing device running a register application configured to receive payment information from the buyer for facilitating a transfer of funds from the buyer to the merchant, and a payment object reader coupled with the first mobile computing device. The payment object reader includes a wireless communication interface, a processor configured to determine the proximity of the second mobile computing device using signal strength of a signal received via the wireless communication interface. In response to the proximity of the second mobile computing device crossing a threshold, the payment object reader transmits a request to the second mobile computing device to connect with the first mobile computing device. The first mobile computing device and the second mobile computing device may then communicate payment and/or transaction information to complete a POS transaction.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an instrument for processing a biological sample or reagent is disclosed. The method comprises generating a PIN code by the instrument, entering the PIN code and identification data associated with the instrument in a database of an electronic device, verifying the PIN code and identification data at the electronic device, transmitting an authentication certificate to the instrument if the PIN code and identification data correspond to target data stored in the database, installing the authentication certificate on the instrument, whereby the instrument is registered with the electronic device, and using the authentication certificate for an encrypted communication between the instrument and the electronic device. Further, a system is disclosed which comprises an instrument for processing a biological sample or reagent and an electronic device. The system is configured to carry out each step of the method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for providing a digital receipt to a consumer upon tender of payment to a merchant through the use of a proxy payment card in a financial transaction. The proxy payment card can be associated with multiple financial accounts (e.g., accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, or gift cards). The digital receipt is automatically received at a personal computing device of the consumer in response to the financial transaction being charged to a financial account associated with the proxy payment card. The digital receipt includes information indicative of the financial transaction. The digital receipt can also include one or more interactive components that allow the consumer to interact with the transaction (and/or merchant) subsequent to transmission of the receipt, such as adding a tip, providing feedback, redeeming a promotion reward, tracking loyalty reward points, or reviewing transaction records of past and present transactions.