Abstract: A system that includes a fuel dispenser terminal and a remote controller. The fuel dispenser terminal is configured to send a service request for a fuel purchase to the remote controller and receive a personalized offer in response to sending the service request. The fuel dispenser terminal is further configured to display the personalized offer, receive a user response indicating the personalized offer was accepted, and send the user response to the remote controller. The fuel dispenser terminal is further configured to receive an authorization token for retrieving the personalized offer and output the authorization token to the customer. The remote controller is configured to update the service request by adding a purchase associated with the personized offer to the fuel purchase, send an encrypted service request to a service processor, generate the authorization token, and send the authorization token to the fuel dispenser terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing display fixtures, especially display fixtures for use in marketing and promotions. Multiple software modules allow a user to design/configure a tangible display fixture by selecting components used to assemble and populate the display fixture. Once designed, the various components of the display fixture can be tagged with suitable metadata to allow for easy generation of lists of components associated with that specifically designed or configured display fixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending merchant actions include a physical merchant location having a plurality of beacon devices. A system provider device receives a plurality of first location information from the plurality of beacon devices that is collected from a customer beacon communication device that is associated with a customer. The system provider device also receives a plurality of second location information over the network from the plurality of beacon devices that is collected from a merchant beacon communication device that is associated with an asset of the merchant. The system provider device analyzes the plurality of first location information and the plurality of second location information to determine at least one merchant action recommendation related to the customer and the asset of the merchant and provides the at least one merchant action recommendation over the network for display on a display device.

Abstract: An in-application content transfer system that generates receiver identifiers to categorize a given exchange between two users. One user executes the application on their mobile device and makes use of peer-to-peer communication protocols with a neighboring mobile device, regardless of whether the neighboring device is executing the subject application. The content transfer is linked to a unique identifier of the neighboring device, which is retrieved via peer-to-peer communication.

Abstract: Resource allocation includes generating a resource allocation identifier corresponding to a resource allocation request. The resource allocation request pertains to allocation of a resource associated with streaming of an audiovisual content item. The resource allocation identifier comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a key, and the second portion comprising information associated with contextual metadata pertaining to the corresponding resource allocation request. It further includes performing a first transmission of a first message including the resource allocation identifier. The first message including the resource allocation identifier is directed to a first address associated with a first entity. It further includes performing a second transmission of a second message. Transmission of the second message causes transmission of the resource allocation request. The second message is directed to a second address associated with a second entity.

Abstract: A machine-learning algorithm is trained with features relevant to a visual/video analysis performed on subjects conducting transaction at transaction terminals. The algorithm is also trained on weather data known at the time of the transactions and on selective details of the transactions. The algorithm produces as output predictions relevant to: whether a given subject for a current transaction is likely to enter a store, likely items that the given subject might purchase if the subject were to enter the store and likely amount of money that the subject would spend in the store, an effectiveness of providing an incentive for the subject to enter the store, and what type of incentive would most likely entice the subject to enter the store.

Abstract: A distributed computer system includes a central server, a computing device of a user, and point-of-sale terminals. The central server is configured to assign a global user ID to a user and store, in association with the global user ID, local user IDs. The computing device is configured to generate and display a code symbol representing at least one user ID. A point-of-sale terminal is configured to scan the displayed code symbol and code symbols of merchandise being purchased, and generate transaction information. A local server is configured to transfer the transaction information from the point-of-sale terminal to the central server. When the transaction information includes a local user ID, a point total of the user is updated based on the transaction information and transmitted to the computing device. The central server stores the transaction information, which is received from the local server, in association with the global user ID.

Abstract: An electronic communication security system is typically configured for tracking and monitoring user activity of a user, identifying a trigger based on monitoring and tracking the user activity, communicating with back-end system to extract information associated with a resource entity that is associated with the trigger, communicating with the back-end systems to identify user agreement associated with the user and the resource entity, identifying one or more supplemental resources provided by the resource entity, based on the user agreement, prompting the user to authorize transfer of anonymized user data to the resource entity to receive the one or more supplemental resources, anonymizing the user data and transmit the anonymized user data to the resource entity, in response to transmitting the anonymized user data to the resource entity, receiving the one or more supplemental resources from the resource entity, and transmitting the one or more supplemental resources to the user device.

Abstract: A system for determining preference, including a client device with feedback controls, a server and addressable URIs; the device and server in communication over an electronic network and the URIs' content retrievable over the network; the server automatically receiving and storing ratings, tracking URIs, using ratings to create a preference model for URIs, and using the preference model to suggest URIs; the stored ratings include a record having a rated item URI, a rater having a unique identification, a rating value provided by the rater, and at least one metadatum for creating subsets of ratings. Also, a method for automatically creating a chimeric preference vector, the method steps including identifying a multiplicity of datasets of rated items; automatically combining the datasets to form a combined dataset; automatically identifying ratings collisions; treating ratings collisions to form a data subset; and generating a chimeric preference vector based on the data subset.

Abstract: A machine-learning algorithm is trained with features relevant to a visual/video analysis performed on subjects conducting transaction at transaction terminals. The algorithm is also trained on weather data known at the time of the transactions and on selective details of the transactions. The algorithm produces as output predictions relevant to: whether a given subject for a current transaction is likely to enter a store, likely items that the given subject might purchase if the subject were to enter the store and likely amount of money that the subject would spend in the store, an effectiveness of providing an incentive for the subject to enter the store, and what type of incentive would most likely entice the subject to enter the store.

Abstract: Improved mobile content presentation capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications facilities, such as cell phones. Information relating to the user characteristics associated with a mobile communication facility and other capabilities are employed to improve the presentation and relevance of mobile content to appropriate or desirable mobile communication facilities.

Abstract: A system including an Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) system configured to communicate with a plurality of ESLs each corresponding to a product offered for sale. The system includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) device configured to communicate with each of the plurality of ESLs within a predetermined distance from the ESL, a customer profile database configured to store a plurality of customer profiles, wherein each of the plurality of customer profiles are associated with a customer NFC device, and a product database configured to store a plurality of product profiles for each of a plurality of products configured within the ESL system. The ESL system retrieves a customer profile associated with the NFC device, and a product profile associated with the product corresponding to an ESL in communication with the NFC device.

Abstract: A system and method operating a customer need-based configuration recommendation management system to enhance configuration selection comprising processor executing machine readable executable code instructions to define a plurality of preset user functional requirement definitions for a configuration of one or more sale items to configure an on-sale custom information handling system available via a web interface, wherein the each of the plurality of preset user functional definitions corresponds to one of a plurality of need-based categories of customers, and a stored plurality of list configurations, each of the plurality of list configurations including a configuration of sale items associated with one of the plurality of preset user functional definitions, wherein each of the sale items have a different sale item type from one another and are identified as being compatible with one another according to compatibility data stored in memory.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for optimizing the presentation of content through obtaining viewership metrics, generating multiple renditions of presentations of content, and selecting optimized renditions of content. One aspect includes associating a request for viewership metrics with a presentation of content, publishing the presentation of content, and receiving information of the viewership metrics associated with the presentation. Another aspect includes copying a presentation of a content item, creating a second presentation of the content item for publishing over one or more channels, and linking the presentation of the content item to the second presentation of the content item, such that a change to one propagates to the other of the presentation of the content item or the second presentation of the content item. In yet another aspect, a content rendition may be selected for presentation based on performance of the rendition out of multiple renditions in an auction.

Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server includes one or more linked databases to store customer data associated with a loyalty program of a retailer. The server includes a processor to select a retail product purchased at least once by a loyalty customer. The processor determines, from at least a purchase history associated with the loyalty customer, an amount the loyalty customer spends on the selected retail product and an amount each customer from a plurality of customers forming a peer group spends on the selected retail product. Further, the processor compares the amount the loyalty customer spends on the selected retail product to the amount the peer group spends on the selected retail product to form a comparison result and allocate at least one customized offer to the retailer account according to at least the comparison result.

Abstract: A broadcast targeting system is provided where third party database information is utilized in conjunction with broadcast network client information to identify households within the broadcast network including one or more desired recipients of targeted assets. In instances where a user equipment device of the targeted household includes multiple users (i.e., a multiple-user device), use of third party data in conjunction with an indication of which household member is currently using the multiple user device (e.g., set top box, etc.) allows for more effectively delivering assets targeted to a specific member(s) of the household.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for analyzing searches of verbal media content associated with media content features. Custom abridgements of media content features may be generated based on user interest in a plurality of portions of the media content feature following the plurality of verbal media content searches. A recommendation for a portion of a media content feature may be sent to a first client based on an expression of interest by a second client in dialog featured in the portion of the media content feature but in a secondary language. The first client may be determined based on an association between the first client and the secondary language. A product can be recommended to a client based on a dialog search query, where the dialog of a media content search result contains a reference to the product or a similar product.

Abstract: A method for implementing a change capture system using an event publishing system as a database recovery log is provided. The method may include determining a set of data based on a description of events for which change capture is possible. The method may also include selecting at least one item of data from within the determined set of data, wherein the at least one item of data requires change capture to be performed. Additionally, the method may include identifying at least one published event, wherein the at least one published event is produced by the event publishing system. The method may include instructing the event publishing system to deliver the at least one identified published event to the change capture system. Furthermore, the method may include receiving the at least one identified published event. The method may also include processing the at least one published event.

Abstract: A method for implementing a change capture system using an event publishing system as a database recovery log is provided. The method may include determining a set of data based on a description of events for which change capture is possible. The method may also include selecting at least one item of data from within the determined set of data, wherein the at least one item of data requires change capture to be performed. Additionally, the method may include identifying at least one published event, wherein the at least one published event is produced by the event publishing system. The method may include instructing the event publishing system to deliver the at least one identified published event to the change capture system. Furthermore, the method may include receiving the at least one identified published event. The method may also include processing the at least one published event.

Abstract: A method for loading a layout with advertising item data is provided. Layout header data is parsed. A layout item object is then built. Global layout variables are replaced with values. Local layout variables are replaced with data from content objects. Displayed data is then created.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying expandable content by maintaining a content database of slot identifier entries, each entry identifying a respective content slot and a respective resource identifier of a corresponding electronic publication on which the respective content slot is positioned. A data processing system receives a request to provide content for a content slot, the request identifying a slot identifier and a resource identifier, and determines, by accessing the content database, one or more permitted expansion directions for the content slot. The data processing system selects an expandable content item for publication based on the one or more determined permitted expansion directions.

Abstract: A system and method for transacting data using meta-models to express data relationships is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises requesting, from a computing system, a meta-model expressing a data relationship. The data relationship relates to a topology of a deployed computing system, and the requesting specifies the meta-model from among a plurality of data models stored within the computing system. The requested meta-model is received from the computing system, and at least a portion of the meta-model is provided to an application. A data transaction based on the meta-model is received from the application and issued. In some such embodiments, a navigational interface is provided in order to navigate the meta-model and specify the portion to provide.

Abstract: A method of providing incentives to customers which involves providing customers with cards having changeable display areas. During a transaction, the cards are received from the customers and an incentive image is displayed on the display areas of the cards when they are returned to the customers. The incentive images can be coupons, discount certificates, or other marketing or promotional offerings, prize notifications, loyalty rewards, etc. The cards can be credit cards, including gift cards, debit cards, ATM cards, shoppers' cards, merchants' cards, phone cards, casino cards, or any other similar cards. A transaction card that displays updated value balances on the card and a system for performing the value updates is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing loyalty applications in fuel dispensing environments are provided. At least one processor can execute a master mobile application comprising an interface for rendering content and/or accepting input. The master mobile application can be configured to communicate with one or more dispensing components to obtain parameters regarding product dispensing, display the parameters on a portion of the interface, and invoke a loyalty application for executing on another portion of the interface.

Abstract: Various kinds of value can be easily added to print data output from an existing application without modifying the existing application program. A value-adding method executes a process of adding value to print data output from an application on a computer that has one or more communication ports and executes a specific process by means of an application, and includes a data acquisition step of acquiring the print data at the operating system kernel layer before the print data is received at the communication port, and a data processing step that applies at the application layer a process of adding and/or deleting print content in the print data based on previously registered information, and outputs the data after processing to the specified communication port.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to digital library content management and distribution. Specifically, content providers, such as manufacturers and others, may provide and control the availability of content items to point-of-sale (POS) locations and other end-users. Various modules and/or portals allow for the uploading, distribution, and inclusion of content items in various locations and device settings within the POS location. In some embodiments, an automatic content replacement distribution module may dynamically update content items selected for distribution in POS locations in response to modifications or the replacement of the content items by the original content distributor.

Abstract: Method of processing information for generating a promotional means (2) granting a commercial benefit to a customer at a point of sale, said method comprising a step of programming a value of the promotional means as a function of at least one technical constraint (3-5) related to said point of sale.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method for a track data point-of-sale platform. The computer-implemented method comprises receiving a transaction request by a processor configured to process point-of sale transactions. The transaction request comprises at least one parameter associated with a payment instrument configured for use in the point-of-sale transaction. The computer-implemented method further comprises identifying, by the processor, a transaction request type characterized by an identifier in at least one parameter associated with the payment instrument. The computer-implemented method further comprises processing, by the processor, the transaction request, according to the transaction request type. The computer-implemented method further comprises generating, by the processor, a response to the transaction request.

Abstract: A method of selling products includes displaying web-store information related to a web-store on a consumer-operated kiosk at a location. The method may further include displaying product information with the web-store, in which the product information corresponds to products related to the location of the consumer-operated kiosk and available for purchase by a consumer from the web-store.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided to deliver advertisements personalized for customers proximate a point of sale unit, e.g., a fuel dispenser. A visual information capturing unit captures visual information of an object, e.g., an image, a shape, etc., disposed in a specified range of the point of sale unit, e.g., within 6 feet of the point of sale unit. A processor determines a visually perceptible characteristic of the object based on the visual information, selects an advertisement based on the determined characteristic, and outputs the selected advertisement from an advertisement unit proximate the point of sale unit.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for a point of sale item payment option. The methods include receiving user information and item information, wherein the user information and item information is received after a communication between a user device and an item point-of-sale (POS) device, determining one or more credit options or one or more incentives for purchasing an item based on the user information and the item information, and transmitting a message including the one or more credit options or the one or more incentives for display to the user. The item information may include an item identifier, an item price, an item reduced price sale offer, merchant information, and a visual image capturable by the user device. The one or more credit options may include a credit card option, an installment credit option, and a revolving credit option.

Abstract: A method for providing customized marketing associated to multimedia broadcasting, comprising: receiving multimedia broadcast data at a multimedia broadcast receiver apparatus; determining user information of the multimedia broadcast receiver apparatus; transmitting the user information to a service server; defining customized marketing information associated to the received multimedia broadcast data based on the user information; transmitting the customized marketing information to a user apparatus; determining, by the user apparatus, marketing information presentation settings defined by a user; and providing the customized marketing information via a user interface of the user apparatus based on the marketing information presentation settings.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating payments using low-cost barcode or RFID tags are disclosed. Such tags can be attached or affixed to physical, real-world objects thus allowing the objects to be purchased using a customer mobile device, without the need for a dedicated, on-site point-of-sale system. The tags may be constructed from paper, metal, leather, plastic or some other low-cost material. The tag allows a unique visual identifier such as a tag code to be imprinted so that it can be read using a mobile camera or other sensor enabled telephone.

Abstract: A method for processing payment transactions includes: storing a plurality of consumer profiles, wherein each consumer profile includes data related to a consumer including at least a combined identifier and at least two payment account identifiers; receiving an authorization request for a payment transaction originating from a point of sale device, wherein the authorization request includes at least a combined identification; identifying a specific consumer profile where the included combined identifier corresponds to the combined identification; transmitting at least the at least two payment account identifiers included in the specific consumer profile to the point of sale device; receiving an indication of one of the at least two payment account identifiers from the point of salve device; updating the authorization request to include at least the indicated one of the at least two payment account identifiers; and transmitting the updated authorization request.

Abstract: Transmitting category codes to payment instruments in proxy card transactions comprises receiving a first payment request to authorize a proxy card transaction, the first payment request identifying a proxy account of a user for payment of the transaction and a merchant category code associated with the merchant; selecting a financial account associated with the proxy account to fund the transaction; communicating a second payment request to authorize the transaction to a financial account system associated with the selected financial account, the second payment request comprising the merchant category code associated with the merchant; receiving an authorization for the transaction from the financial account system to fund the transaction using the selected financial account; and communicating an authorization for the transaction to the merchant computing device in response to receiving the authorization for the transaction from the financial account system to fund the transaction using the selected financia

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for redeeming a closed loop card/code funded with an amount of money. The system receives from a merchant point of sale an indication of use of a closed loop card/code not issued by the merchant and presented by a consumer, queries and receives a confirmation of an amount of money in an account associated with the closed loop card/code, presents the consumer with an offer to buy the closed loop card/code at a discount price, and upon accepting the offer, closes out the closed loop card/code and pays the discount price to the consumer. Paying the discount price can include applying the discount price to a purchase by the consumer at the merchant. The merchant can provide cash back to the consumer for excess value of the discount price over the consumer's purchase. Merchants can apply more than the discount price.

Abstract: A disclosed transaction processing method includes transmitting a request to a credit aggregator in response to a message from a point of sale device to a wireless communication device of a user. Responsive to receiving credit account information from the credit aggregator, a user interface indicative of at least some of the credit account information including account identification information for a plurality of user credit accounts is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user selecting one of the plurality of credit accounts, credit account information is transmitted to the point of sale device. The request may include information identifying the user. The message from the point of sale device may indicate a price associated with the transaction. The credit account information may include available credit information, current balance information, closing date information, payment date information, annual percentage rate information, and so forth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for payment card terminals for mobile phones. In general, data characterizing a payment card and a settlement amount for a transaction may be received, where the data is user-generated input and is received at a mobile phone associated with a mobile phone number. Wireless transmission of data characterizing a request to provide a payment card settlement service of a merchant account of a merchant account provider for the transaction may be initiated, where the wireless transmission is to be from the mobile phone over a carrier data network to an application server. Data characterizing authorization of settlement of the transaction with the payment card may be wirelessly received by the mobile phone from the application server.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described for bumping a mobile device, such as a smart phone, against a fixed poster board display at a store to initiate a download of coupons, advertisements, or other benefits to the mobile device. Products can be rated by a user's up/down bump or other bump patterns. Using accelerometer-based inertial measurements, multiple users can control multiple mouse cursors on a large display with their mobile devices in order to select information to be downloaded to their mobile devices. The multiple users can bump the display in order to select their items simultaneously.

Abstract: A computer-automated system is disclosed for promoting specifiable items of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for specifiable time periods. The automated promotion system enables a customer with an appropriately configured mobile device to avail of promotional prompts within the shopping facility electronically (i.e., within the specified time period), substantiating redemption of a related benefit at checkout (i.e., within or beyond the specified time period). The system has three principal components: a source, a node, and a checkpoint. The source enables a retailer to script the parameters of the promotion (e.g., the duration, benefit, and relevant merchandise). The node—preferably, an electronic shelf label—provides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the source. The checkpoint consummates the promotion.

Abstract: Various kinds of value can be easily added to print data output from an existing application without modifying the existing application program. A value-adding method executes a process of adding value to print data output from an application on a computer that has one or more communication ports and executes a specific process by means of an application, and includes a data acquisition step of acquiring the print data at the operating system kernel layer before the print data is received at the communication port, and a data processing step that applies at the application layer a process of adding and/or deleting print content in the print data based on previously registered information, and outputs the data after processing to the specified communication port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method include receiving user information data from a personal electronic device. The user information data includes information about a user using the personal electronic device. The server stores user information data and receives action data from the personal electronic device. The action data includes information relating to an object captured through the personal electronic device. The object captured may include an embedded signal such as a bar code, QWERTY code, fingerprint, watermark, and/or Ribbon®. The server generates and sends coupon, promotion, and/or information with respect to the embedded signal. The server receives redemption information with respect to an item represented within embedded signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems for selling products across sales channels. In one aspect the disclosure relates to receiving information regarding an item that is offered for sale by a first sales channel, receiving information regarding an item that is offered for sale by at least one second sales channel, storing the information received from the first sales channel and the at least one second sales channel, populating a product data record with the information received from the first sales channel and the at least one second sales channel, and offering, in a single transaction, items for sale from the first sales channel and the at least one second channel.

Abstract: A method of using contents includes the steps of setting public time information and private time information, the public time information being associated with each content and defined universally for use by a large number of unspecified users, the private time being associated with the content and defined for use by a small number of particular persons, and searching for a content according to the public time information and/or the private time information and using the content detected in the searching.

Abstract: A POS CS includes an additional logical control logging of transaction data, transmission of the transaction data to a central CS, identification of CIDs in transactions qualifying for marketing information, and instruction of printers for printing the marketing information for a CID during a transaction involving the CID at a terminal in the POS CS.

Abstract: A method and system for personalized venue marketing is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an application that is resident on a mobile communication device of a patron sends personally identifiable information and the identifying device address to a server when the patron enters a venue. The server associates the identifying device address of the mobile device with the patron in a customer relations management (CRM) database for the venue. The identifying device address allows for tracking of the patron by WiFi sensors positioned throughout the venue.

Abstract: A self-service tanning system and method allows salon owners to offer tanning customization in order to meet the personal needs of various customers and to meet the various FDA regulations associated with each state. The present invention allows salon owners to customize each tanning customer session to prevent over exposure for new patrons, while allowing patrons who are already tanning to tan at a more progressive rate. In addition to tanning customization, the present invention offers built-in safety features, payment options, and networkability.

Abstract: A transaction is preprocessed wirelessly in response to a wireless transaction preprocessing user device being in a queue for a point-of-transaction. The transaction that was preprocessed is then completed in response to the wireless transaction preprocessing user device reaching the point-of-transaction. Financial transactions and/or purchase of goods and/or services may thereby be preprocessed wirelessly and then completed at a point-of-transaction. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A parking locator system providing variably priced parking includes one or more parking sensors and one or more parking kiosks. The parking sensors may generate parking information identifying one or more occupied parking spaces and one or more unoccupied parking spaces within a vicinity. Promotion information including one or more discounts to parking fees may be received at the parking kiosks. The parking kiosks may display the discounted parking fees and receive payment of the same. The discounts to parking fees may expire at particular times. The size of the discounts may be set based on traffic congestion, which may be determined based on the number of occupied parking spaces within the vicinity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a point of sale system for offering local flash sales to customers through, for example, a plurality of POS apparatuses operatively coupled to a network. The flash sales may be tied to an online flash sale site offering similar or concurrent flash sales.