Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining bidding strategies. A method includes: identifying a campaign including one or more selection criteria and associated bids; determining a value associated with a user event associated with presentation of a campaign content item; determining one or more predicted future events based on the selection criteria and historical data; determining aggregate values based on the determined predicted future events, using the value and hypothetical bid changes; determining an interaction rate associated with the content item and a cost per event; determining a plurality of bidding strategies for the campaign, each reflecting a change in a bid associated with one or more selection criteria that optimizes the content sponsor's value; and presenting the plurality of bidding strategies to the content sponsor.

Abstract: In a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied therein that when executed cause a mobile device to perform a method for providing mobile loyalty services via a single native mobile application. The method comprises enabling browsing of retail items of a first party via the single native mobile application executing on the mobile device, wherein the browsing is not required to be web-based browsing, and wherein the native mobile application is provided by a second party. Mobile payment for the retail items are provided via the single native mobile application. Mobile marketing is provided to a user of the mobile device by the single native mobile application.

Abstract: Unlocking digital content embodied in digital readable form on a digital media carrier includes generating a test based on text that is printed in a physical copy of the digital content, prompting a user to input text that appears on a specific page of the physical copy, evaluating whether the user entered the correct word; and if the word was correct, unlocking the digital content.

Abstract: A system for generating a customized communication with a customer is described, and includes: a near field communication (NFC) reader for receiving, from the customer, a request for an interaction; an input device for receiving an input from the customer, wherein the input includes a customer credential; a processor for: receiving a request, from a near field communication (NFC) enabled device, for an interaction with a customer; requesting a valid customer credential from the customer; receiving an input from the customer in response to a request for the valid customer credential to achieve a received customer credential; determining a validity of the received customer credential; and generating, after the determining the validity of the received customer credential, client information customized for the customer based upon a customer account linked to a determined valid customer credential to achieve a generated customized client information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering digital content to user who have pre-selected the digital content before they arrive at a device for distributing the digital content are described. The systems contain a storage device where the digital content is stored, a device for distributing the digital content to a user, a receiving device for receiving the digital content that has been distributed, and means for communicating with the user who is not located at the distribution device. The communication means allows the user to browse and/or purchase the digital content prior to arriving at the distribution device. As well, by purchasing the content before arrival, if the digital content is not located at the distribution device, it can be transferred from the storage device to the distribution device before the arrival of the user. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for sending content to a target audience uses a server in communication with a device and a database to create and customize a content selection, such as an advertisement, and to select a target audience meeting a characteristic criteria selection and a geographic criteria selection. The server generates and sends a personalized content output, including the content selection, to the target audience using digital or print delivery methods. The method may also include consumers interacting with content providers through a website or application. The consumers may customize the content that is received and the delivery method. The method may also include an incentive program for consumers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program products that are configured to select an image associated with a promotion for presentation to a consumer. In an embodiment of the method includes associating a promotion with at least one set of images of a plurality of images, receiving at least one user selection indication, updating a user record based on the at least one user selection indication, selecting, using a processor, at least one image from the at least one set of images for presentation in association with the promotion based at least in part on the user record, and causing a transmission of the selected at least one image in association with the promotion.

Abstract: Methods and systems of offering and distributing digital content to an attendee at an event are described. The system contains a server containing the digital content that can be offered to an attendee as well as recording equipment for creating digital content based on the event. The digital content can be then distributed directly to a portable electronic device accessible to an attendee or distributed indirectly using a kiosk located near the event. The server can communicate both with the portable electronic devices and with the kiosk. Once the attendee has been offered the digital content, the attendee can request that the digital content be distributed from the server to that portable electronic device or distributed to a kiosk where the digital content can be retrieved by the attendee. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for handling and/or authorizing payment requests by a consumer for a transaction are provided. Challenge questions may be presented from the non-merchant to the consumer after receiving the payment information, thereby allowing a judicious determination of when to ask such challenge questions and allowing complex and probative questions. The time limit for such challenge questions may advantageously be unconstrained, while still preserving security. Also, a risk analysis may be started prior to the consumer submitting payment information, thus allowing an efficient and complex risk analysis. Information about an access device used by the consumer may be obtained at the non-merchant from the access device with code sent to the access device from the merchant, and the device information may be used in the risk analysis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for collecting consumer information. A first message is received from a portable communication device having a device identifier. The first message includes an item code that identifies a promotional item. It is verified whether the device identifier is registered for a promotional service corresponding to the item code. If the device identifier is not registered for the promotional service, a second message is sent to the portable communication device, where the second message requests an address for delivering the promotional item.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating an interactive digital receipt on a user device, where the receipt offers an engagement platform for merchants and customers to interact on a continuous basis. The interactive digital receipt is generated in response to an occurrence of a particular financial transaction. The receipt includes a plurality of time-based interactive components to enable the merchant and the customer to interact with one another. The plurality of time-based interactive components includes a promotion component, a tipping component, a feedback component, and a loyalty rewards component. Each component is associated with a timeframe which defines a time period for which the customer may interact with the component. Content presented via each component changes corresponding to the time period. The time period can range from a limited time period to an unlimited time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering digital content from a central location to one or more remote locations while advertising at the remote locations are described. The systems contain a centrally-located device where the digital content is stored, a remotely-located device for delivering the digital content to an end user, and means for semi-dynamically transferring the digital content from the central location to the remote location. At the remote location(s), the digital content may be previewed, viewed, or purchased by the end user. Both electronic and physical advertisements may be displayed according to demographic data collected from users, browsing activities, and the like. Security information may be delivered along with the digital content to reduce or eliminate unauthorized duplication or distribution of the digital content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable flexible and secure processing of digital bearer instruments. An architecture is provided that enables provision of an extensible applications framework that flexibly supports a variety of features and functionality supporting title-based rights processing operations. A wide range of methods of defining and assuring rights processing operating environments extend the capabilities of rights processing operating environments in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a recommendation engine that may monitor, aggregate, filter, and otherwise process relevant information associated with a user Internet of Things (IoT) environment to provide personal and context-aware recommendations based on relevant real-time knowledge about various IoT devices and other items in the IoT environment. For example, the recommendations may be generated based on ranked associations between the user and the various items in the IoT environment, which may be determined from profiles, states, usage patterns, proximities, and other contextually relevant information about the IoT environment. Furthermore, the recommendations may be uploaded to a recommendation data server, shared with friends, or otherwise used to provide similar recommendations to other users, and in a similar respect, the recommendations may be based on information stored on the recommendation data server and/or recommendations provided to friends or other users having similar profiles to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating subscribers for permitting playing of advertisements as ring back tones and direct activation of advertised services is provided. The method includes receiving by a telecommunication service provider a call initiated by a caller. The method further includes establishing status of at least one of caller and callee by checking home location register of the telecommunication service provider. Establishing status includes determining RBT subscription status of caller and callee. Depending on the RBT subscription status of caller and callee, the call is transferred to a tone player within RBT system of at least one of caller and callee. A compensation system then selects a media file to be played to caller based on RBT to Advertisement ratios of subscribers. The selected media file may be an RBT file or an advertisement message, which is then played to the caller.

Abstract: A method for mobile credit acquisition is disclosed. The method deploys a shopping incentive offer, the shopping incentive offer for a shopping incentive. A device identifier associated with a user's mobile device is received in response to a user responding to the shopping incentive offer on the user's mobile device. In addition, a user identifier is received for the user. The device identifier and the user identifier are used to obtain user specific information useable for a credit prescreen. The shopping incentive is then provided to the user's mobile device. If the user does pass a credit prescreen, a pre-approved credit offer is also provided to the user via the user's mobile device in conjunction with the shopping incentive.

Abstract: An application platform configurable for collecting user data associated with a plurality of retail-branded credit cards is provided. The application platform includes a configurable front end comprising a graphical user interface layer that is configurable to a specific one of the plurality of retail-branded credit cards, a backend layer comprising credit card functionality for directly performing credit card transactions associated with a specific one of the plurality of retail-branded credit cards, a data collection layer comprising a data collector for collecting user data associated with the plurality of retail-branded credit cards and an analytics engine coupled with the data collection layer for determining one or more attribute about a user from the user data associated with the plurality of retail-branded credit cards.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating an initial key after interacting with an access device, storing the initial key at a key storage location, altering the initial key with a public key to form an altered key, and sending the altered key to a server computer along with an identifier for the access device. The altered key is changed to the initial key at the server computer and is stored with the identifier in a database in operative communication with the server computer. The initial keys that are stored at the key storage location and in the database are used to alter and restore transaction data associated with multiple financial transactions that are conducted using the access device.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a consumer. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a consumer conducting a transaction with a portable consumer device. A challenge message is sent to the consumer, where the challenge message is dynamic or semi-dynamic. A challenge response message is received from the consumer, and an authorization response message is sent to the consumer. The authorization response message indicates whether or not the transaction is authorized.