Abstract: A mobile ticketing module includes: a terminal interface able to interact with a ticketing terminal; and a communication module comprising at least one antenna able to interact with a user device. A payment processing system includes: a ticketing terminal; a consumer interaction module communicatively coupled to the ticketing terminal; and a server communicatively coupled to the consumer interaction module. An automated method of processing payment requests, the method includes: receiving, at a consumer interaction module, a payment request from a ticketing terminal; sending the payment request to an authorization server; receiving a response from the authorization server; sending the response to the ticketing terminal; and receiving, at the consumer interaction module, a ticket. The consumer interaction module may be able to interact with various mobile device applications. The module may facilitate payment processing, administration of loyalty programs, advertising, and micro positioning.

Abstract: An insertable consumer interaction module includes: a terminal interface able to interact with a sales terminal; and a communication module comprising at least one antenna able to interact with a user device. A payment processing system includes: a point of sale (POS) terminal; a consumer interaction module communicatively coupled to the POS terminal; and a server communicatively coupled to the consumer interaction module. An automated method of processing payment requests, the method includes: receiving, at a consumer interaction module, a payment request from a point of sale (POS) terminal; sending the payment request to an authorization server; receiving a response from the authorization server; and sending the response to the POS terminal. The consumer interaction module may be able to interact with various mobile device applications. The module may facilitate payment processing, administration of loyalty programs, advertising, and micro positioning.

Abstract: A system for identifying logistics events is described. The system includes: a set of tags, each tag able to be attached to an item, each tag able to transmit a beacon signal, a set of locators associated with an establishment, each locator able to receive the beacon signal and generate an event message based at least partly on the beacon signal, and a server able to receive the event message and update at least one database based on the event message. A method for identifying logistics events includes: transmitting, from a merchandise tag, a beacon signal, receiving, at a locator associated with an establishment, the beacon signal, generating, at the locator, an event message based at least partly on the beacon signal, and sending the event message to a server associated with the establishment.

Abstract: A proximity sensor adapted to collect consumer location information is described. The proximity sensor includes: a detection module adapted to detect a user device within a threshold distance of the proximity sensor; a receiver adapted to collect data regarding the user device; and a communication interface adapted to allow the proximity sensor to send the collected data to a remote server. An advertising system includes: an advertising medium adapted to provide interactive advertising content to users via a multimedia output; a proximity sensor adapted to detect and communicate with user devices that pass within a threshold distance of the advertising medium; and a remote server adapted to communicate with the proximity sensor and to provide advertising content to the advertising medium. An interactive advertising device includes: a proximity sensor; and a display element adapted to display an advertising content element from among a set of advertising content elements.

Abstract: A smart beacon includes: a connector able to be coupled to a point of sale (POS) terminal and allowing two-way communication between the smart beacon and the POS terminal; a wireless transceiver allowing two-way communication with a user device; and a network interface allowing two-way communication with a remote server. A POS system includes: a POS terminal; a network-accessible payment processing server; and a smart beacon communicatively coupled to the POS terminal and able to communicate with the network-accessible payment processing server. An automated method of processing a payment includes: transmitting a beacon signal; identifying a consumer check-in event based at least partly on a received response to the beacon signal; retrieving charge information from a POS terminal; retrieving payment information from a user device; sending the retrieved charge and payment information for processing at a remote processing entity; and returning a result comprising one of a rejection and authorization.

Abstract: A retrofit module provides wireless communication capability to legacy utility meters. A smart cover or other retrofit module may be used to upgrade existing legacy meters. The retrofit module may communicate with the utility meter via a local connection. The retrofit module may be able to receive meter data, such as usage information, and send data or instructions to the meter, such as firmware updates. The retrofit module may wirelessly receive and transmit data used for billing, payment, usage monitoring, and/or other functionality to a user device across a local wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). Internet-connected user devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, laptops, etc. are ubiquitous. The retrofit module may utilize such user devices as internet gateways to send and receive data between the utility meter and various network-connected resources (e.g., utility account resources, payment processing resources, etc.).

Abstract: A retrofit interface module (RIM) described herein may allow legacy cash terminals to perform cryptocurrency-based transactions. The RIM may be installed at existing cash terminals such as vending machines, parking kiosks, ticket booths, etc. The RIM may allow the legacy cash terminals to interact with user devices such as smartphone across one or more wireless communication channels in order to perform cryptocurrency-based transactions. Such transactions may include cryptocurrency payments to cash terminals and cash deposits to cryptocurrency accounts or coins via the RIM and an associated cash terminal.

Abstract: A system adapted to identify and react to proximity events is described. The system includes: a set of sensors, each sensor in the set adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal, the beacon signal including a sensor ID associated with the sensor; at least one mobile device adapted to receive the wireless beacon signal from the sensor and provide a location of the mobile device; and a server adapted to receive the location of the mobile device and the sensor ID, generate instructions based at least partly on the received information, and send the instructions to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile ticketing module includes: a terminal interface able to interact with a ticketing terminal; and a communication module comprising at least one antenna able to interact with a user device. A payment processing system includes: a ticketing terminal; a consumer interaction module communicatively coupled to the ticketing terminal; and a server communicatively coupled to the consumer interaction module. An automated method of processing payment requests, the method includes: receiving, at a consumer interaction module, a payment request from a ticketing terminal; sending the payment request to an authorization server; receiving a response from the authorization server; sending the response to the ticketing terminal; and receiving, at the consumer interaction module, a ticket. The consumer interaction module may be able to interact with various mobile device applications. The module may facilitate payment processing, administration of loyalty programs, advertising, and micro positioning.

Abstract: A system that provides a way finder throughout a facility includes an array of sensors distributed throughout the facility, each sensor able to transmit a wireless beacon signal, each beacon signal including a unique sensor ID; at least one mobile device able to receive the wireless beacon signal from a first sensor from the array of sensors and generate a request for a route to a destination and further able to receive the wireless beacon signal from a second sensor from the array of sensors and generate an update request; and a server able to receive the request for the route and generate the route based on the fixed location of the first sensor and a location of the destination, the route traversing a section of the at least one path, where the server updates the route to the destination based on the fixed location of the second sensor.

Abstract: A system adapted to allow consumers to order delivered products and services from at least one establishment using proximity events is described. The system includes: a set of sensors, each sensor in the set of sensor adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal, the beacon signal including a sensor ID associated with the sensor, wherein each sensor in the set of sensors is associated with a particular location; and a server adapted to receive a request that includes the sensor ID from a mobile device associated with a particular consumer, generate an order based at least partly on the request and associated with the particular location, and send the order to at least one establishment. In addition, a client application adapted to be executed by a mobile device to allow a consumer to order products and services from a set of establishments is described. An automated method is also described.

Abstract: A method that provides mobile payment and queuing based on proximity events includes: broadcasting beacon signals from a set of proximity sensors within an establishment, each beacon signal including a unique identifier for identifying multiple locations in the establishment, each proximity sensor associated with a fixed location; determining that a mobile device associated with a consumer is within a first proximity to a first proximity sensor; generating an invoice from the merchant to the particular consumer based on proximity of the mobile device to the first proximity sensor; associating a second proximity sensor with a merchant point of sale, the merchant point of sale associated with a fixed location; determining that the mobile device is within a second proximity to the second proximity sensor; sending the invoice to the mobile device; and processing payment from the consumer based on proximity of the particular consumer to the second proximity sensor.

Abstract: A system adapted to provide a way finder throughout a facility is described. The system includes an array of sensors, each sensor in the array adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal, the beacon signal including a sensor ID associated with the sensor; at least one mobile device adapted to receive the wireless beacon signal from a particular sensor from the array of sensors and generate a request for a route to a destination; and a server adapted to receive the request and generate the route based on a location of the particular sensor and a location of a destination.

Abstract: A proximity sensor adapted to collect consumer location information is described. The proximity sensor includes: a detection module adapted to detect a user device within a threshold distance of the proximity sensor; a receiver adapted to collect data regarding the user device; and a communication interface adapted to allow the proximity sensor to send the collected data to a remote server. An advertising system includes: an advertising medium adapted to provide interactive advertising content to users via a multimedia output; a proximity sensor adapted to detect and communicate with user devices that pass within a threshold distance of the advertising medium; and a remote server adapted to communicate with the proximity sensor and to provide advertising content to the advertising medium. An interactive advertising device includes: a proximity sensor; and a display element adapted to display an advertising content element from among a set of advertising content elements.

Abstract: A system adapted to allow consumers to order delivered products and services from at least one establishment using proximity events is described. The system includes: a set of sensors, each sensor in the set of sensor adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal, the beacon signal including a sensor ID associated with the sensor, wherein each sensor in the set of sensors is associated with a particular location; and a server adapted to receive a request that includes the sensor ID from a mobile device associated with a particular consumer, generate an order based at least partly on the request and associated with the particular location, and send the order to at least one establishment. In addition, a client application adapted to be executed by a mobile device to allow a consumer to order products and services from a set of establishments is described. An automated method is also described.