Abstract: A method of managing a transaction between a user intending to acquire a product and a merchant offering products. The user has a first terminal for communicating with said merchant and a second terminal for communicating with the financial institution. At least one transmission during the transaction is performed by near field communications. In addition, security is enhanced because longer validation codes can be used by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and system for matching buyers and sellers of either goods or services, or goods and services for a project. The invention enables a buyer to specify a project in terms of physical, functional, temporal, financial, and transactional parameters that can be automatically converted, by the present invention, into at least one request for either goods or services, or goods and services to perform work related to the project. The requests are suitably provided to at least one seller. Upon receiving a request, the seller may submit a response to the request, as desired. The invention provides a forum for the negotiation of any agreements and the formation of contracts to provide the requested, or alternative goods or services, or goods and services, as well as reconciliation of purchase orders, actual field costs, and invoices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for systems and methods for self-payment and verification of the purchase of retail goods and services. According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for verifying the purchase using a mobile electronic device in wireless communication with a payment verification system and a code generating system is provided, the method comprising the steps of: receiving from a consumer information identifying an item for purchase; receiving from a consumer information identifying payment means for purchasing the item for purchase; processing the information identifying the item for purchase and information identifying payment means and generating a unique QR code indicating a purchase of the item; sending the unique QR code to a mobile device for display by a consumer to the vendor of the item for purchase.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a client computer and a server computer interconnected by a public packet switched communications network. The client computer is programmed to transmit to the server computer an order acceptance request terms or conditions of a proposed offer for a purchase, including multiple options of at least one of the terms or conditions of the offer. The server computer is programmed to process the order acceptance request based on pre-programmed criteria and based on the processing of the order acceptance request to transmit to the client computer an order acceptance response. The order acceptance response includes a plurality of amendments to the proposed offer for the purchase, including selection of an option of the at least one of the terms or conditions.

Abstract: A system for leveraging email to complete an online checkout from a customer accessing a third party vendor website is disclosed. The system may store customer information including a name, email address, shipping address, and billing information. The system may receive a request for a purchase from the third party vendor including a customer email address and an item to be purchased. The system may authenticate the customer email address. The system may send a first email to the customer email address requesting authorization to complete a purchase. The system may receive a second email, from the customer email address, encoded with the token and confirming or canceling the purchase. The system may authenticate the second email using the customer email address and the token. And the system may transmit a confirmation of purchase of the at least one item to the third party vendor website.

Abstract: In one embodiment, controls for an agreement from a supplier are set up. The agreement includes a plurality of items for purchase. The controls may be used to determine a degree of touchlessness in the buying of the items. The controls may be configured at the agreement level. A requisition from a requester for a target item is received. In one embodiment, sourcing rules and ASLs may be searched to determine if a sourcing rule and ASL applies to the item. If so, then the sourcing rule and ASL may be used to determine an agreement. If a sourcing rule and ASL do not apply, agreements can be searched to determine an agreement for the target item. Once the agreement is determined, controls are determined from the agreement, where the controls govern the plurality of items of the agreement.

Abstract: A shopping system may receive, from a user, a request to add information about an item to a watch list associated with the user; may receive, from the user, a price associated with the item; and may receive, from the user, a schedule associated with the item. The shopping system may identify a vendor offer associated with the item and associated with a particular vendor, where the vendor offer includes a price that is less than or equal to the received price, the identifying being based on the schedule associated with the item; and may provide a notification to the user, where the notification includes information about the identified vendor offer.

Abstract: A subscription-based system for providing commerce information for one or more mobile devices for one or more merchants. Some techniques employed feature a subscription-based method for presenting commercial resources to a mobile device. The method involves receiving mobile device user information relating to a geographic location to locate one or more merchants within a subscription-based shopping network, and receiving mobile device user information relating to a merchant type within the subscription-based shopping network. The method also involves receiving, from a database over a communication network, information for one or more merchants associated with the mobile device user information for the geographic location and the merchant type, and presenting the associated merchant information on the mobile device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing transaction payments. The transaction engine receives payment information, from a device, for completing a transaction between a first party and a second party, wherein the payment information is for requesting, at least in part, a payment approval from at least one payment service provider. Next, the transaction engine determines historical transaction data associated with one or more previous transactions between the first party and the second party. Then, the transaction engine processes and/or facilitates a processing of the historical transaction data to determine whether to initiate a delivery of at least one item associated with the transaction prior to receiving a confirmation of the payment approval from the at least one payment service provider.

Abstract: A processing method for order data in a network payment system. The processing method includes: receiving an order instruction issued from a user terminal; generating an order data including a connected user account information according to the order instruction; sending the order data and prompting a confirmation to the user terminal and notifying the user terminal to send the order data to a network bank system in response to a receiving of a confirmation instruction from a user account and thereby configuring the network bank system to verify the order data; and presenting the order data including the connected user account information to the user terminal after the network bank system returning that a corresponding verification result is positive. A processing system for order data in a network payment system is also provided. Thus, the network payment system has higher data security.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electronic gifting. In an exemplary gift purchasing method, a control system receives from a purchasing system a gift purchase request that includes a mobile telephone number (or other unique telephonic identifier) associated with a wireless gift recipient system, sends to a payment authorization system a payment authorization request, receives a payment authorization, and notifies the wireless gift recipient system of an electronic gift certificate. In an exemplary gift redemption method, the control system receives a gift redemption request for goods/services from a point-of-sale (POS) system, sends an authentication request addressed to the wireless gift recipient system by way of text message or other format, receives an authentication confirmation originating from the wireless gift recipient, and sends a redemption authorization to the vendor POS system.

Abstract: A parental policy is enforced for online purchases. A parent enters a parental policy indicating items that are prohibited for a child. When the child attempts to add an item to a wish list, it is determined whether the item is permitted according to the policy. If so, the addition of the item to the wish list is allowed to proceed. If the policy prohibits the item, the addition of the item to the wish list is blocked. Additionally, the parent can be informed (via email, telephone, etc.) of the attempt to add the item to the wish list. The same logic can be applied to attempts to purchase items for children, or attempts to purchase items by children.

Abstract: Information for remote purchase requests are stored, including an origin, a card number, a requested item identification, and a cost of purchase. Based on a determination of the total cost of remote purchases within a predetermined time period associated with the origin exceeding a pre-determined threshold, blocking the current remote purchase or performing test to determine whether to approve or block the current remote purchase.

Abstract: Approving a group purchase request for a group of articles. A sub-group of articles is selected, wherein a unique article approval index is assigned to each of the articles and a highest article approval index is determined among the unique article approval indexes of the articles of the group, wherein the article of the group is selected into the sub-group if the article of the group complies with at least one of following article selection criteria: the unique article approval index of the article of the group is above a predetermined approval index threshold and the unique approval index of the article of the group is equal to the highest article approval index; approving the group purchase request for the group if the group purchase request for the sub-group is approved; and rejecting the group purchase request for the group if the group purchase request for the sub-group is rejected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally set forth a two-way touch screen based communication system. One example method may include receiving an order for an item from a first touch screen device via a first network, wherein the order is associated with a first identification for a merchant, a second identification for the customer, and a negotiable parameter reflective of a preference of the customer. The method may also include making available the order for a second touch screen device of the merchant to retrieve via a second network and to display and prior to completing processing of the order, transmitting a first response to the preference of the customer to the first touch screen device via the first network.

Abstract: Items are sold via a wireless mobile telecommunications network in which multimedia presentations describing items offered for sale are broadcast for reception by wireless mobile devices. Users of the devices can transmit responses indicating requests to buy the items or bid for them in auctions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for product ordering in a communications network (108) including a central server (100) for receiving an order request for a product from a first device (102), the order request associated with a particular user, for selecting a vendor from a plurality of vendors using information associated with the particular user, and for interfacing with a server (105) associated with the selected vendor to transmit a vendor request corresponding to the order request to add the product to a virtual shopping cart of an account of the user at the vendor.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for fulfilling a customer request for a requested item purchased from a merchant is provided. The method may be performed by a tangibly embodied processing machine disposed in a customer device. The method may include (1) observing, through the input of information, an observed event that is associated with a customer; (2) associating the observed event with a corresponding order record; (3) retrieving order information from the corresponding order record, the order information including at least customer financial entity account information; (4) generating a merchant request based at least in part on the order information in the corresponding order record, the merchant request including at least customer identification information and customer financial entity account information; and (5) outputting the merchant request to the designated merchant, so as to provide the designated merchant with information to fulfill the customer request.

Abstract: An action submitted via a network may be fulfilled despite the network, or a website accessible via the network, experiencing an error that prevents processing of the action when the action is received. In one example, the user that submitted the action may receive a confirmation page indicating that the action has been received. Transaction data may be retrieved based at least in part on the action and/or the user that submitted the action. Once the transaction data is stored in a queue, the transaction data may be processed either automatically or manually. Subsequently, the action may be fulfilled without the user needing to resubmit the action. Alternatively, the action may be optimistically fulfilled prior to the action being processed.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer program products (collectively “systems”) described herein are generally configured to monitor actions in digital channels. More specifically, the systems are capable of initiating purchases in a broadcast channel. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with various digital channels. Moreover, the systems are capable of initiating or completing transaction based on user information. The systems may also be capable of providing rewards based on activities or accomplishments in the digital channels. Moreover, the systems may be capable of verifying activities based on transaction information.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing confirmations for list modifications. A network page is sent to a client. The network page includes one or more components for requesting that one or more items be added to a list of items. The item(s) are added to the list of items in response to a request from the client. A display region is encoded for rendering in the client as a layer superimposed on the network page. The display region includes a confirmation that the item(s) have been added to the list of items. The display region includes one or more undo components for requesting that a last modification to the list of items be reversed.

Abstract: An indication that a consumer wishes to check-out in connection with an on-line purchase of goods is obtained at a server of a merchant. Responsive to obtaining the indication, a total transaction amount, a credit-only payment card account number of the merchant, and a reference number assigned to the on-line purchase of goods are sent to the consumer. A guarantee that the consumer will cause the total transaction amount to be credited to the credit-only payment card account number of the merchant is obtained at the server of the merchant, from a bank of the merchant which issues the credit-only payment card account. The guarantee is associated with the reference number. Responsive to obtaining the guarantee, the goods are shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer comprises at least one subsystem that alerts the consumer via a communication device of the consumer when a credit card transaction that meets certain criteria is being attempted on the consumer's credit card account. Also, a system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer may comprise at least one subsystem that receives an authorization request from a merchant for completing the credit card transaction and at least one subsystem that disallows the transaction to complete if a response is received from the consumer rejecting the transaction. The communication device may be a cell phone, computer, PDA, land line telephone, or any other communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing multiple authorization request messages for multiple products offered by respectively different merchants in a single order are disclosed. If one of the authorization request messages is declined, then an order interrupt message may be sent to the consumer. In order interrupt message may indicate that the single order is canceled, even though authorization request messages for the purchase of other products in the order are approved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and system for matching buyers and sellers of either goods or services, or goods and services for a project. The invention enables a buyer to specify a project in terms of physical, functional, temporal, financial, and transactional parameters that can be automatically converted, by the present invention, into at least one request for either goods or services, or goods and services to perform work related to the project. The requests are suitably provided to at least one seller. Upon receiving a request, the seller may submit a response to the request, as desired. The invention provides a forum for the negotiation of any agreements and the formation of contracts to provide the requested, or alternative goods or services, or goods and services, as well as reconciliation of purchase orders, actual field costs, and invoices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing transactions and associated data. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method for processing information associated with transactions involving a product, wherein the product may comprise an experience, a physical product, and/or a digital product. Moreover, illustrative methods may include performing processing associated with a plurality of subroutines, such as a first subroutine for handling an experience, a second subroutine for handling a physical product and/or a digital product, and/or one or more additional subroutines associated with fulfillment.

Abstract: A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database.

Abstract: A buyer-seller matching system that uses incentives to verify commissions from matching a buyer with a seller. The system can include a repository of information about items for purchase. Items may be located by a user over a network. Each item may be paired with incentive that is awarded if that item is purchased from a designated third party. If the user purchases the item, the seller pays the system an agreed upon fee and also issues the buyer a certification of purchase. The user may then receive the incentive from the system. The system can check to verify that it has received a fee or commission from the seller for bringing the seller a buyer of the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable a merchant to sell products through a merchant-specific toll-free number operated by a payment service provider. The toll-free number may operate using an interactive voice response system to accept product orders and to process payments without requiring a consumer to enter information on the payment source. A consumer who has a registered account with the payment service provider may call the merchant toll-free number to purchase products using product codes that are keyed to the products. The payment service provider may identify the consumer and the consumer's registered account from the phone number used by the consumer in making the call. The payment for the purchase may be made from the consumer's account to the merchant's account. Information on the purchase and on the consumer including a shipping address is transmitted to the merchant to enable the merchant to fulfill the order.

Abstract: A procurement management system and automated computer-implemented method for providing users with eco-friendly alternatives found in the marketplace. A procurement management system gives businesses of all size the ability to streamline their buying process and make this process more efficient and cost effective. The computer-implemented method is driven by a processor that queries for eco-friendly merchandise, similar to that of the products queried by the user. This automated computer-implemented method calculates and presents to customers (a) the number of trees saved; (b) the number of British Thermal Units saved; (c) the number of gallons of water saved; and (d) the pounds of CO2 equivalent saved due in part to all such customer purchases of environmentally friendly or “green” products.

Abstract: A project intermediary device is connected to a contractee terminal and a contractor terminal in a manner capable of communication. The project intermediary device includes an order information management unit, a product checking unit, and product transmission unit. The order information management unit acquires and manages order information for a project transmitted from the contractee terminal. The product checking unit checks whether or not a product, transmitted from the contractor terminal, for the order information satisfies predetermined criteria. The product transmission unit transmits the product to the contractee terminal when it is determined by the product checking unit that the predetermined criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A method for automated provision of shipping address information for online sales transactions is provided.

Abstract: A method for preventing redundant purchases of limited items includes steps for providing a commerce client to a user, receiving (a) financial information of the user and (b) a device identifier from a device the user is using to run the commerce client, the device identifier being based on one or more of user-configurable and non-user-configurable parameters of the user device, determining whether a previous transaction has been made with the device associated with the received device identifier, and disallowing the device from executing further transactions for a predetermined period of time. The method may be executed by an apparatus such as a computer server or stored as a series of instructions on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method of modifying a requisition within approval and budgetary constraints by a procurement organization may include receiving the requisition from a requesting organization, where the requisition may comprise one or more lines, each having been approved by the requesting organization. The method may also include receiving a change to be applied to a first line associated with a first budget allocation, where the change may be received from a buyer in the procurement organization, and the change may be associated with a second budget allocation. The method may additionally include determining that the change violates a threshold, sending the change to the requesting organization for a second approval, receiving, from the requesting organization, an indication as to whether the second approval is granted, and creating a purchase order based on the indication as to whether the second approval is granted.

Abstract: Advertising parameters and associated television advertisements are received from advertisers. The television advertisements can be designated as pending approval. An automated approval process and a television provider approval process can be utilized to approve or disapprove of the television advertisements pending approval. Approved television advertisements can be provided to the television provider, e.g., by a download process over a network.

Abstract: A subscription-based system for providing commerce information for one or more mobile devices for one or more merchants. Some techniques employed feature a subscription-based method for presenting commercial resources to a mobile device. The method involves receiving mobile device user information relating to a geographic location to locate one or more merchants within a subscription-based shopping network, and receiving mobile device user information relating to a merchant type within the subscription-based shopping network. The method also involves receiving, from a database over a communication network, information for one or more merchants associated with the mobile device user information for the geographic location and the merchant type, and presenting the associated merchant information on the mobile device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods and systems for processing purchase requisitions and purchase orders in a procurement system and more particularly systems and methods for returning single or individual requisition lines back to the requester without affecting other associated requisition lines under the same requisition. Generally speaking, embodiments allow users of a procurement system to return individual requisition lines instead of returning all the requisition lines in the purchase requisition. In some cases, policies require all or some subset of all lines of a requisition be processed together when possible. Hence, if there are more than one requisition lines, the buyer can be presented with a choice whether he or she would like to return the individual line or whether he would like to return all or some subset of all of the lines allowing a buyer to make a more informed decision.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A server system receives, as sent by a computing device, a request to purchase a product. The request is initiated by user selection of an element provided for display by a third-party application program. The server system sends, for receipt by a transaction processing system, a charge request to charge an account of a user of the computing device for purchase of the product. The server system determines, after the charge request has been sent for receipt by the transaction processing system, to cancel the charge request. The server system sends, for receipt by the transaction processing system, a request to cancel the charge request. The server system sends, for receipt by the computing device, an indication that purchase of the product has been cancelled.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing inventory pooling for multiple merchants. A first inventory of an item held at a first fulfillment center on behalf of a first merchant is contributed to a common pool of inventory. A second inventory of the item held at a second fulfillment center on behalf of a second merchant is contributed to the common pool of inventory. Fulfillment of an order placed by a customer of the first merchant is initiated from the second inventory of the item that was contributed by the second merchant to the common pool of inventory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a comprehensive, integrated, computerized system for facilitating transactions in goods or services. The system is capable of facilitating transactions from early or initial stages, such as an electronically proposed purchase order, through to later or final stages, such as payment on an invoice or invoices relating to the transaction. The system is integrated to include the participation of various providers of services ancillary to transactions, such as guarantors, insurers, and shippers. The system may allow sellers or buyers to electronically propose amendments and counter-amendments to, and to amend, through mutual agreement, a purchase order agreement. Any amendments are accounted for in later stages of the transaction facilitated by the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally set forth a two-way touch screen based communication system. One example method may include receiving an order for an item from a first touch screen device via a first network, wherein the order is associated with a first identification for a merchant, a second identification for the customer, and a negotiable parameter reflective of a preference of the customer. The method may also include making available the order for a second touch screen device of the merchant to retrieve via a second network and to display and prior to completing processing of the order, transmitting a first response to the preference of the customer to the first touch screen device via the first network.

Abstract: A method of eliminating the need to wait in line to conduct a payment transaction in a retail establishment includes initiating a network-based electronic payment transaction with a communications device in a retail establishment. A shopper initiates the network-based electronic payment transaction. Moreover, the method includes entering a machine readable code from at least one good with the communications device, determining a price of the at least one good and a total payment transaction cost, and displaying the total payment transaction cost on a screen of the communications device. Furthermore, the method includes determining whether to approve payment for the electronic payment transaction, authenticating the shopper, completing the electronic payment transaction in the retail establishment, and transmitting a transaction complete message to the communications device when the shopper is authenticated.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing product delivery in conjunction with a communications network. The method comprises processing, over the communications network, the purchase of a product by a buyer for delivery to a recipient, receiving, over the communications network, a content generated by the buyer for delivery to a recipient, storing the content in association with a unique identifier, transmitting purchase information of the product, and the unique identifier, to an entity local to the recipient, wherein the entity effectuates delivery of the product and the unique identifier to the recipient and providing the content on the communications network in response to entry of the unique identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative task management are described. The apparatus may include a user interface module that provides a graphical user interface to a user, a form engine coupled to the user interface module to receive form data from a task data store, a scheduling engine that schedules task assignments, and the task data store that stores information related to one or more tasks. The method may include receiving from a user a request to update a task assignment, displaying to the user a task assignment form, receiving an indication to process the form, updating a task data store with information from the form. The method may alternately include receiving task information from a plurality of users, prioritizing task assignments using that information, generating one or more work queues, providing a work queue to a user, receiving an update to a task assignment, and re-generating the work queue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a product transaction. An order system is provided which independently stores orders generated by a customer, in a customer order repository, A customer order repository is associated with a customer order repository ID which identifies the customer order repository. When shopping, the customer selects a product and provides the customer order repository ID to the vendor. The vendor provides the COR ID to the order processing system together with information identifying the product. The order processing system then communicates with a customer device via a customer interface, such as a client App. The customer confirms the order and the order processing system processes payment. Details of order processing and other information relating to the order may be published on social network sites and communicated to the customer and to the vendor.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.

Abstract: First and second components of the present invention, in combination, provide a customer interface for initiating a trade transaction and provides for the secure viewing of the status of the transaction. A third component assists in the automatic generation and verification of the voluminous and detailed documents required to support a trade transaction. The third component additionally tracks and assists in the management of the seller's manufacturing and shipment of the goods that form the basis of the trade transaction. A fourth component automatically generates a Letter of Credit from a Purchase Order and performs a reconciliation function on payments made pursuant to Letters of Credit or open Accounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein which that enable a first party, such as a child, to selected one or more items offered by an online retailer and to send a request to a second party, such as a parent or guardian, to request that the second party purchase the item or items for the first party. The systems and methods provide the second party with the ability to view requests received from the first party, to set limits on the number of requests and the amounts of the requests that the first party may make. The second party may also designate the parties to whom the first party may submit purchase requests. The child may also submit request to one or more non-parental contributors who may contribute money toward the purchase the one or more items for the child.

Abstract: An apparatus 10, and system 70 may be embodied as an article 70 or method implementing transactions between a central or “core” application 72, a fulfillment application 96 at a venue, and a wireless communication application 84, 86 hosted on a computing device 10, such as a cell phone, of an attendee at an event at that venue. Customers may sign up online, through various types of web applications 88 or dedicated applications 92, to receive information, such as menus, catalogs, or the like of available products to be at the event. The core application 72 may manage a database 74 of records of customers, products, and fulfilment locations, and may send to fulfilment locations instructions to dispatch “runners” to deliver products to seat locations of customers ordering through wireless computer devices 12 at a venue.