Abstract: An automated method and system for refunding the unused portion of an electronic ticket are provided. In accordance with the method, an aging period is set and is added to the scheduled departure date of the issued ticket. If the scheduled departure date plus the aging date is earlier than the current date, a determination is made as to whether the ticket has been used. If the ticket has not been used, the residual value of the ticket is calculated and a refund is issued.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates the dynamic provisioning of computing and data assets in a commodity computing environment. The invention provides a system and method for dynamically provisioning and deprovisioning computing resources based on multi-dimensional decision criteria. By employing specialized computing components configured to assess an asset and requestor of an asset, a provisioning engine is able to transform the input from the computing components into a specific configuration of computing resource provisioning and security controls. According to the rules and policies applying to a security domain, the provisioning engine may dynamically allocate computing resources in a manner that is both safe and efficient for the asset.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates automated audits for systems storing travel services rates based on special or negotiated pricing structures. The invention provides a system and method by which a customer and/or broker of travel related services may invoke an audit against one or more global distribution systems which are commonly used by travel services providers to maintain rate and discount information specific to customers and/or brokers. In cases where a customer and/or broker has negotiated or arranged for a special discounted rate for travel services, it is the responsibility of the travel services provider to enter the rate or discount information into one or more global distribution systems. An audit is intended to examine rates stored within one or more global distribution systems and flag missing or inaccurate entries. Based on an audit report, customers and/or brokers may notify the service provider(s) and inform them of the discrepancies in order that they may perform the required corrections.

Abstract: The invention integrates multiple software products and functional components to facilitate file and message delivery, along with managing, tracking and moving bulk data. The packaged system may incorporate user-defined value added services to transported data including, for example, user authentication, access authorization, encryption and compression.

Abstract: The invention includes system for centralized rendering of user interface elements based on configurations as described in XML. A developer may create a definition for a field based on the nature of the information to be displayed to a user within a single file. Such definition will affect all future instances of the particular data type without a need to modify and/or compile code residing either within an HTML file or on a server.

Abstract: A system for providing application access to external data uses a data component that translates requests for data into .NET objects. The .NET objects are used to retrieve information from a variety of different data sources that contain data stored in a number of different formats. The data component retrieves the data from the data sources and creates a response .NET object that can be transmitted to a requestor. The data component uses a DST that defines the manner in which data is to be retrieved. To retrieve data from a new data source, it is only necessary to create a new DST. In such a manner, a requestor can retrieve data without the need to translate data into a particular format. Therefore, the .NET object may be available via a web service, thereby allowing access via a variety of different computing tools such as, for example, a personal computer, a telephone, and a PDA.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.

Abstract: A system for transmitting information between a seller and a supplier uses a web services application to interface between a seller application and the supplier's server. The web services application uses a proxy to transmit information from the web services application to the supplier's server in a secure and reliable manner. The information is transmitted via HTTP using SOAP messages that conform to WSDL. In such a manner, the web services application can transmit selected information to the supplier's server, without any need to re-key redundant information. The proxy provides various services, such as encryption/decryption, digital signing, non-repudiation services, reporting capabilities, and software updating capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating a bid transaction over a computerized network using a rewards account balance from any type of cash rewards program. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a participant applies rewards from their rewards account to bid on items in a closed online auction over a computerized network such as the internet. The online auction is open only to participants of a sponsoring or participating cash rewards program and only bids made with accumulated cash rewards are accepted. Further, the present invention provides a system and method for facilitating online management of a rewards account by the participant.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating inventory management in financial transaction instrument distribution is disclosed. The method may include the steps of: receiving information related to the sale of a first transaction instrument, wherein the first transaction instrument is associated with a second transaction instrument, wherein the first and second transaction instruments comprise a group of transaction instruments, and wherein the information identifies a location of the sale of the first transaction instrument; and associating the location of the sale of the first transaction instrument with the second transaction instrument and/or the group of transaction instruments.

Abstract: Sharing of data between one domain and at least one other domain over a network is facilitated by the use of tokens. A user token set in a cookie stored on the user's system at log-on to a first domain is used to create, or is associated with, a secure token passed by a first domain to a second domain when the user, in a session with the second domain, requests resources, access to which includes authorization by a first domain. The secure token facilitates various actions pertinent to a user in a session with said second domain, including, for example, the maintenance of an active, concurrent session between a user and a first domain, and authentication and authorization without log-on at a second domain or other domains.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing an open transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: accessibly offering for sale, in a retail environment, the open transaction instrument; selling a selected open transaction instrument; and enabling the use of the open transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. Furthermore, accessibly offering the open pre-paid card for sale, in one exemplary embodiment, is performed by hanging the pre-paid card on a rack. The distribution of the open transaction instrument may also comprise the step of sending a message, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid open transaction instrument to be funded but not activated. Also, in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an issuer system is suitably configured to leverage existing infrastructure for inventory and related processes.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an Internet user to create a web page which may simultaneously display public and private data as integrated data on one digital screen or other network interface device. Integrated data may derive from at least one internal content provider, but may also include data from one or more external content providers. The invention also allows an internal content provider to create a personal profile of a user, based on proprietary data stores of the internal content provider and/or on the user's choices of data for viewing on a web page. Finally, the invention allows an internal content provider to use the personal profile to personalize the user's experience on the provider's web site.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using a biometric are disclosed. The system for facilitating electronic transactions using a biometric comprises a smartcard-reader transaction system. The method comprises determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also comprises notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating the handling of post transactional credit disputes in real-time via a variety of transactional environments and architectures. The system includes one or more workstations linked to a communication channel and one or more servers with at least one having capability of processing a plurality of image files. A party in dispute (such as a merchant) may browse their workstation for image files, choose the appropriate image files, and transmit the image files over the communication channel to a server for processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a digitally-computed acknowledgment of a delegated download event are disclosed. An information owner, such as the issuer of a smart card, delegates an information download to a third party. The information is downloaded from the third party to an information device, such as a smart card. The computed acknowledgment is a digital “seal” or signature (depending upon the type of cryptographic algorithm used). The seal or signature is preferably a cryptogram generated by the information device using cryptographic keys resident on the information device itself. This acknowledgment is then made available to the information owner, who may then test the cryptogram to determine whether the third party successfully completed the software download.

Abstract: The invention encourages users to not only pay themselves first, but to pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. In general, the system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system then provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills. The system also transfers instructions related to payment of user debts to an automatic bill payment system to facilitate payment of the user debts.

Abstract: The system encourages users to not only pay themselves first, but to pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. In general, the system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system then provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills.

Abstract: The invention encourages users by providing loyalty points when the users not only pay themselves first, but when the users pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. In general, the system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system then provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills. The system then provides loyalty points to at least one of said user, income source and payee.