Abstract: A parse/build engine that can handle multi-format financial messages. The engine converts the different format messages into a common format, and the common format message is then processed by the business service application. A parser examines the message and determines an appropriate schema for the particular format of message received. The schema is a data structure in a schema registry that includes a grammar structure for the received format as well as pointers to handlers for converting the different fields of the message into the internal message format using the grammar structure (the “grammar” can include field sequence, field type, length, character encoding, optional and required fields, etc.). The handlers are individually compiled. As formats change, new formats or changes to old formats can be dynamically added to the parse/build engine by loading new schema and handlers.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions, a data warehouse to store transaction data recording the transactions processed at the transaction handler and to store mapping data between first user identifiers and first account identifiers, a profile generator to generate a profile of a user based on the transaction data, and a portal coupled to the transaction handler to receive a query identifying a second user identifier used by the first tracker to track online activities of a user. The system is to identify a second account identifier of the user from the second user identifier based on the mapping data between the first user identifiers and the first account identifiers to facilitate targeted advertising using the profile of the user and/or to provide information about certain transactions of the user related to a previously presented advertisement.

Abstract: A portable consumer device is disclosed. One or more contact regions in the portable consumer device may be provided on the contactless portable consumer device. The user may be required to place a finger on the one or more contact regions while holding the portable consumer device proximate to the interrogation device to enable it to be interrogated. The user's fingers may be used to electrically bridge an open portion of a circuit so as to enable operation of the portable consumer device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to shield contactless portable electronic consumer devices such as radio frequency identification devices (RFID), tokens, mini-cards, key fobs, cellular phones, smartcards, etc. from wireless interrogation. In one embodiment, a contactless portable consumer device which includes a first antenna is shielded from unauthorized wireless interrogation with a radio frequency (RF) shield. The RF shield includes electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic material and is configured to prevent unauthorized data transfer between a second antenna external to the portable consumer device and the first antenna.

Abstract: A system for managing enhancement features assigned to financial presentation devices such as credit cards. The system includes an accounts database and a feature management module. The accounts database stores account holder data containing assigned enhancement features for associated credit cards. The feature management module is capable of updating and managing the assigned features of an individual credit card independently of other cards so as to provide enhancement features that can be customized for each individual cardholder.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate the sharing of account features. In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions and a data warehouse to record the transactions and store account data identifying account features of separate accounts, such as a second account having a feature and a first account without this feature. Account holders of the first and second accounts are in a same household and thus, in accordance with a set of rules, eligible to share the account features. A portal is configured to receive a request identifying the first account and to determine whether a transaction initiated in the first account and qualified for a benefit of the account feature is entitled to the benefit; and if so, a notification engine is to transmit a notification message to an account holder of the first account.

Abstract: A system and method for processing push transactions. A payor may initiate a transaction without input from the payee. A system can determine who the payee is from partial information provided by the payor, and direct the transaction to the proper party.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including receiving an alias identifier associated with an account associated with a presenter, determining an associated trusted party using the alias identifier, sending a verification request message to the trusted party after determining the associated trusted party, and receiving a verification response message.

Abstract: A statement credit reward system receives a request to redeem reward points from an account holder in exchange for a virtual gift card, where the account holder's request may be in response to an offer from a merchant for the card. The statement credit reward system receives transaction information corresponding to one or more transactions conducted by the account holder with one or more merchants. The transaction information may contain a qualifying transaction conducted by the account holder with a merchant. The statement credit reward system will attempt to match a statement credit trigger with the qualifying transaction. If a match is not found, the statement credit reward system adds the predetermined number of reward points back into the account holder's balance of reward points. If a match is found, the statement credit reward system credits the monetary amount of the statement credit trigger to the account holder's balance.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a transaction handler to process transactions; a data warehouse to store transaction data recording the transactions processed at the transaction handler; a profile generator to generate, based on the transaction data, a profile including a plurality of values representing aggregated spending in various spending areas to summarize transactions in a geographical area; and a portal to receive advertisement data from an advertiser and to create an advertisement campaign based on the profile to deliver advertisements to users in the geographical area on behalf of the advertiser using one or more media channels.

Abstract: A method for using promotional programs and merchant values is disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an authorization request message including a merchant verification value through a payment processing network, where the authorization request message is associated with a purchase by a consumer. A merchant-specific promotional program is then determined using the merchant verification value, and the merchant specific promotional program is performed. For example, the promotional program can be a sweepstakes and the task may be determining of the consumer is an instant winner.

Abstract: Systems and methods to summarize transaction data via cluster analysis and factor analysis. In one aspect, a method includes identifying at least one set of clusters based on a cluster analysis of transaction records to group entities, identifying a plurality of factors based on a factor analysis of the transaction records to reduce correlations in spending variables, classifying an entity according to the at least one set of clusters, and computing values of the factors based on the transaction records of the entity.

Abstract: Application level switching of transactions at a gateway is provided. The gateway is configured to switch the transaction based on the application level content, a current state of a transport environment, and/or dynamic rules for switching transactions. For example, several possible service providers can be selected for the type of transaction, and the gateway can monitor not only the round-trip time through the network(s) to different possible service providers, but also the time required to complete the transaction at the application level and return a response. The application is chosen on the sending side of the network, and application level formatting is done on the sending side as well. The gateway uses modular code and data, and separate instances of processing code to allow dynamic updating. Rules for application service selection can be selectively uploaded to the gateway from a client. The rules for different available application services can be distributed across different gateways.

Abstract: A parse/build engine that can handle multi-format financial messages. The engine converts the different format messages into a common format, and the common format message is then processed by the business service application. A parser examines the message and determines an appropriate schema for the particular format of message received. The schema is a data structure in a schema registry that includes a grammar structure for the received format as well as pointers to handlers for converting the different fields of the message into the internal message format using the grammar structure (the “grammar” can include field sequence, field type, length, character encoding, optional and required fields, etc.). The handlers are individually compiled. As formats change, new formats or changes to old formats can be dynamically added to the parse/build engine by loading new schema and handlers.

Abstract: A central transaction server in electronic commerce card authorization system enables the electronic commerce card association to manage and monitor the authentication system. The central transaction server acts as an intermediary for all communications between the access control server used for authentication. If any portion of the authentication system fails, the central transaction server compensates by providing appropriate responses to other portions of the system. The centralized transaction server translates all incoming traffic into a format compatible with the intended recipient, enabling portions of the system to be upgraded without breaking compatibility with the non-upgraded portions. The centralized transaction server also enables the integration of formally separate portions of the authentication system into a single unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to shield contactless portable electronic consumer devices such as radio frequency identification devices (RFID), tokens, mini-cards, key fobs, cellular phones, smartcards, etc. from wireless interrogation. In one embodiment, a contactless portable consumer device which includes a first antenna is shielded from unauthorized wireless interrogation with a radio frequency (RF) shield. The RF shield includes electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic material and is configured to prevent unauthorized data transfer between a second antenna external to the portable consumer device and the first antenna.

Abstract: A method for using promotional programs and merchant values is disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an authorization request message including a merchant verification value through a payment processing network, where the authorization request message is associated with a purchase by a consumer. A merchant-specific promotional program is then determined using the merchant verification value, and the merchant specific promotional program is performed. For example, the promotional program can be a sweepstakes and the task may be determining of the consumer is an instant winner.

Abstract: A method and system for generating customized categories for financial transaction reports associated with portable consumer devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, a financial transaction reporting system is configured to track and output a user's financial transactions associated with the user's portable consumer device for both credit and debit transactions. The system and method automatically assigns financial transactions associated with their credit and/or debit cards with a transaction category such as business, travel, meals and entertainment, etc. based on predefined and/or user-defined merchant categorization codes. The user on a server is provided with the capability to customize the merchant categorization codes and the content of reports derived from the user's financial transactions. The user may customize the report content to specific transaction categories, sub-categories, and time periods.

Abstract: A method and system for using a secured account number for processing proximity types of wireless financial transactions associated with portable consumer proximity devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a proximity type of wireless financial transaction request along with a secured account number from a portable proximity consumer device such as a contactless smart card, converting the secured account number to the user's real account number, and transmitting the financial transaction request along with the user's real account number to the issuer of the user's real account number for authorization and processing.

Abstract: A central transaction server in electronic commerce card authorization system enables the electronic commerce card association to manage and monitor the authentication system. The central transaction server acts as an intermediary for all communications between the access control server used for authentication. If any portion of the authentication system fails, the central transaction server compensates by providing appropriate responses to other portions of the system. The centralized transaction server translates all incoming traffic into a format compatible with the intended recipient, enabling portions of the system to be upgraded without breaking compatibility with the non-upgraded portions. The centralized transaction server also enables the integration of formally separate portions of the authentication system into a single unit.