Abstract: A selecta-card system and method is disclosed which provides a means to use a single transaction card to facilitate transactions with a variety of transaction account devices. Accordingly, multiple accounts are associated with a selecta-card by pre-selected account identification numbers. To facilitate a transaction with a selecta-card, a cardholder enrolls in a selecta-card account system, providing account identification numbers corresponding to desired cardholder-identified transaction accounts. When making a purchase, the cardholder swipes the selecta-card through a remote terminal such as a POS device, wherein the selecta-card number is read and communicated to a selecta-card provider. To choose which transaction account to use for the purchase, the cardholder inputs an account identification number corresponding to a pre-defined transaction account, the selecta-card provider retrieves the corresponding transaction account and processes cardholder transaction request accordingly.

Abstract: An automated method and system for facilitating timely use and/or redemption of 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, and a reminder period is set and subtracted from the scheduled date of a 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 scheduled date minus the reminder period is earlier than the current date, then a message is communicated to the traveler reminding him to use or redeem the ticket. A residual value of the ticket is calculated and communicated to a client to facilitate redemption of the unused ticket and issuance of appropriate redemption credit.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved system and method for creating, distributing and storing vouchers. The method includes a loyalty system obtaining a loyalty card account having a unique identifier and loyalty points associated therewith, accessing a loyalty database utilizing the unique identifier, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a first value associated with a first merchant, saving the first value in a first database associated with the loyalty card, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a second value associated with a second merchant, saving the second value along with other voucher information as an electronic voucher in a second database associated with the loyalty card, redeeming the first value at a first merchant and redeeming the electronic voucher at a second merchant.

Abstract: The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.

Abstract: A system for facilitating electronic transfer of funds includes a transfer administrator in communication with a transferor institution, one or more intermediary institution, and a transferee institution, the transferor institution having an account at the one or more intermediary institution. The transfer administrator may be configured to receive an incoming payment request designating said transferor institution, a quantity of funds to be transferred, and the transferee institution. The transfer administrator generates and issues a translated payment order based at least in part on the incoming payment request and configured to accomplish a transfer among the transferor institution, the one or more intermediary institution, and the transferee institution. Finally, the transfer administrator may facilitate processing of a balancing payment among the transferor institution, the one or more intermediary institution, and the transferee institution.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved data handling system facilitates the collection, storage and distribution of information for use by one or more recipient performing a process such as assessing the risk associated with a transaction. A system for handling information acquisition engine that is for facilitating communication with a subscriber and an information acquisition engine that is for facilitating communication with one or more provider of information and an information assimilator that is for facilitating communication with a database. The system is configured to facilitate receiving a request from the subscriber defining one or more set of information and one or more provider of information to be received by the information acquisition engine and combined by the information assimilator into an information suite to be stored in a database.

Abstract: When a merchant desires to offer a promotion, the merchant suitably constructs and activates the bonus point promotion rule in real-time by utilizing the centralized promotions engine. When a consumer purchases the applicable products at the merchant, the promotion engine evaluates the consumer ID and consumer purchase data from a point of sale (POS) terminal, awards applicable promotions in real-time, and notifies the consumer of the promotion in real-time while the consumer is waiting at the POS terminal during check-out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing a flexible limit subsidiary card account. In particular, the present provides a system and method for allowing a parent to provide funds to a subsidiary and to control the spending of subsidiary or spending capacity. The card account may be issued at the request of the parent who may retain the ability to define, modify, and/or terminate the spending and/or debt accumulation limits for the subsidiary card account as well as other features as described in the attached disclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for presentation of feedback cues to a user of an interactive payment system is disclosed, wherein in one application, a payment product logo is displayed substantially concurrent with user entry of a payment product identifier, such as a credit card number. The subject invention further provides for the reduction of user confusion and errors with respect to entry of information related to a payment transaction. Moreover, the invention provides for reinforcement of payment product and/or service loyalty and branding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for administering incentive offers. A system for administering incentive offers includes a centralized repository for storing offer information, a maintenance engine for updating and maintaining the offer information in the repository, and a retrieval engine for finding and retrieving offers. The system cooperates with an offer presentation engine for configuring and presenting offers based on offeree traits and the environment in which the offer is to be presented. An exemplary system formulates tests to determine effects of changes in content or context, tracks events related to presentation and acceptance of offers, evaluates impact of offer changes on offer effectiveness, and predicts optimum offer content and context based on results of such tests.

Abstract: An offer system and method that enables offers or the creation of offers with conditions and rewards and may be computer implemented. Actions of customers are tracked and whether conditions have been met are determined and rewards allocated in accordance with the offers. Steps may include, for example, facilitating trading, charging commissions, tracking customer actions, and adjusting commissions charged based on the quantity of trading, e.g. of stock, within a preceding period of time. Rewards may be enabled by the next day from when the conditions for the rewards are completed. Mandatory conditions and optional conditions may be accommodated, and a plurality of offers may be evaluated for various customers, which may include determining the best offer under the circumstances for each customer. Communication with at least some of the customers may be via the Internet or cellular telephony.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically loading tires into a tire transport frame is disclosed. The system stacks a plurality of tires in a herringbone pattern within a tire transport frame. The tire transport frame provides a structure that maintains the stacked tires in a stable, compressed state. Further, the tire transport frame may be adapted to withstand external loads so that multiple tire transport frames may be stacked atop one another for long term storage of tires. Further, the loaded tire transport frames may be easily loaded by forklift into a vessel for storage and/or transportation without requiring significant expenditures of manual labor, time, space, or cost. As a result, the instant invention enables significant improvements in reliability, cost, and capacity in the storage and/or transportation of tires.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for facilitating the customization of a transaction card having a set interest rate by allowing a consumer to choose when to use the promotional rate or customize other promotional offers. The consumer can select or customize the offer by telephoning a consumer service agent or entering the request via the Internet. The system adjusts the set interest rate to be equivalent to the promotional interest rate such that the promotional interest rate is activated on the calendar date and during the promotional time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating financial advising and planning for a user. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a portfolio integration module for facilitating integration of a user's goals, assets, savings, and risk tolerance to facilitate analyzing and developing a customized strategy for financial portfolio planning of the user. A portfolio reconciler module in communication with the portfolio integration module facilitates comparison of the customized strategy to other strategies and projected user financial decisions in order to further facilitate the financial portfolio planning of the user.

Abstract: A method and system of trading derivatives of various items includes an electronic marketplace configured to accept requests to purchase derivatives and requests to sell derivatives. The marketplace is configured to match requests to purchase with requests to sell when certain criteria are similar to within predetermined limits. Available derivatives include futures contracts, put options, and call options. The derivatives allow one to purchase rights in an item prior to the actual delivery of the item. In addition, the derivatives may be traded to other parties. The use of such derivatives also enables entities to negotiate the prices for various goods and services that were previously not readily negotiable in the past.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for global address verification of a transaction, such as a transaction card purchase. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system verifies a billing address and/or an alternate address (e.g., shipping address) in a single transaction. The billing address and/or the alternate address are associated with a transaction card purchaser. If the billing and/or alternate addresses are verified, then the transaction card issuer may offer a payment guarantee to the merchant. The merchant may choose to ship the purchased item to either a billing address or an alternate address. If the address is not verified, then the transaction card issuer may choose not to offer a payment guarantee to the merchant, and the merchant may choose not to ship the item to the alternate address.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing and/or facilitating complete on-line payment services while protecting the privacy of the transaction participants. The comprehensive payment service is based upon a consolidated account used to store value acquired through on-line transactions. The invention provides private payment numbers for protecting the identities of the participants and includes processes for authenticating participants, authorizing transactions, and settling payments. Thus, the present invention enables merchants to effectively accept non-standard forms of payment without changing their current payment infrastructures and enables the provision of value for purchases at any network merchant using any source of value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for administering incentive offers. A system for administering incentive offers includes a centralized repository 110 for storing offers, a maintenance engine 120 for updating and maintaining the offers in the repository 110, and a retrieval engine 130 for finding and retrieving offers. The system cooperates with an offer presentation engine 135 for configuring and presenting offers 160 based on offeree traits and the context in which the offer is to be presented. Each offer 160 may comprise both an offer summary 162 and offer details 164.

Abstract: The present invention includes a prepaid telephone calling card for use by the visually impaired. A braille printer is configured to print a wallet-sized, plastic prepaid telephone calling card having one or more information fields printed in braille. A first information field printed in braille corresponds to an access number through which an individual can access a host computer for completing prepaid telephone calls. A second field printed in braille corresponds to a unique account code associated with the prepaid card. Various other information fields may also be printed in braille on the card, as desired. The information fields may also be printed in very large type face to facilitate reading by individuals who are not blind, yet substantially visually impaired.