Abstract: A platform for universal recognition (UR) is described. A consumer has one or more UR numbers, each of which is uniquely recognizable within the UR platform. During a transaction with a merchant, the consumer uses a non-payment token that presents a UR number or uses a payment token that presents a payment number associated with a UR number. A membership identifier used to recognize the consumer within a membership program of the merchant is retrieved and routed to the merchant. Each UR number begins with a six-digit Issuer Identification Number (IIN) which identifies the UR platform from which the UR number was issued.

Abstract: A platform for universal recognition (UR) is described. A consumer has one or more UR numbers, each of which is uniquely recognizable within the UR platform. During a transaction with a merchant, the consumer uses a non-payment token that presents a UR number or uses a payment token that presents a payment number associated with a UR number. A membership identifier used to recognize the consumer within a membership program of the merchant is retrieved and routed to the merchant. Each UR number begins with a six-digit Issuer Identification Number (IIN) which identifies the UR platform from which the UR number was issued.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stereophonic reproduction uses conventional left and right stereophonic signals to energize a point source transducer in a complementary manner. The resultant interference sound pattern is interpreted by the brain of a listener to enable the listener to experience stereophonic hearing in a wide region surrounding the transducer, not just in the region of the plane of symmetry. A point source transducer may be simulated by a plurality of transducers positioned with the spacing therebetween less than a determinable maximum distance. While conventional stereophonic signals may be employed in the reproduction of sound, improved reproduction is obtained by producing the signals by recording sound with a pair of microphones arranged with the apogees of their respective field of polar response patterns facing substantially at 180.degree. to one another.