Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include associating a first bundle with a subscriber on a first subscription date, the first bundle defining a pre-paid service, a first renewal date, and a first renewal price. The method may include associating a second bundle with the subscriber on a second date different than the first subscription date and different than the first renewal date, the second bundle defining a feature, not defined in the first bundle, of the prepaid service and a second renewal price, the second bundle having the first renewal date. The method may also include renewing the first bundle and the second bundle on the first renewal date if a balance of an account associated with the subscriber is greater than or equal to the first renewal fee plus the second renewal fee.

Abstract: A method for fulfilling inventory requests includes receiving an inventory request requesting an inventory item and selecting the requested inventory item from an inventory holder. The method further includes storing the requested inventory item in an order holder associated with the inventory request and moving the order holder to a storage space. In addition, the method includes detecting a triggering event and in response to detecting the triggering event, retrieving the order holder from the storage space.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for survey management is disclosed. Purchase data is received via a computer network from a first digital device coupled to the computer network. A targeted survey is generated based on the purchase data. A web link associated with the targeted survey is transmitted to a second digital device coupled to the computer network. A survey response is received via the web link from the second digital device. A weight is assigned to the survey response. The weighted survey response is transmitted for display on a third device coupled to the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems and methods for facilitating communication between a point of sale device and a consumer device. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for communicating with a consumer device at a point of sale (POS) can be provided. The method can include establishing, by a merchant POS device, communication with the consumer device at the point of sale; collecting, by the merchant POS device, transaction-related information from a payment application associated with the consumer device; determining, by the merchant POS device, that the collected transaction-related information does not include both payment-related information and value added services (VAS) information associated with one or more VAS; and collecting, by the merchant POS device based at least in part upon the determination, second transaction-related information from a second payment application associated with the consumer device.

Abstract: In a method for sending a counter-offer in response to receiving an indication about a point-of-sale transaction, a computer receives from a point-of-sale program a point-of-sale transaction and an indication that the point-of-sale transaction is to be paid for utilizing a first payment option and is to be recorded using a second payment option. The computer determines that a counter-offer is appropriate. The counter-offer includes a request that the point-of-sale transaction be paid for utilizing the second payment option. The computer sends to the point-of-sale program the counter-offer.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a mass reversal of documents in a convergent invoicing system may be accomplished by first receiving a first set of one or more reversal triggers, wherein each of the one or more task triggers corresponds to a document in the convergent invoicing system. Then a reversal task is received, wherein the reversal task corresponds to the first set of one or more reversal triggers. A second set of reversal triggers may then be automatically corresponded to the reversal task, based upon documents corresponding to the one or more task triggers in the first set of one or more reversal triggers. Once an indication that the reversal task has been released is received, for each reversal trigger corresponding to the reversal task, the reversal trigger is processed, causing a corresponding document to be reversed.

Abstract: A computer software method implemented on a computer for real-time analysis of a company's bill, such as a cell phone bill, by submitting a bill, generated by the billing company in electronic format, over the Internet, using computer loaded published public and current market information for selected billing companies. The computer advises the bill submitter, in real-time, by providing a report for submission to said billing company for correction and adds report to a blind summary in memory of generated reports by type of errors for billing companies from previous analysis for each billing company's collective errors and uses the collective summary for each billing company to enhance and improve future bill analysis on the computer and to provide a summary for each billing company.

Abstract: A system is provided. An application determines a consolidated cycle date for a master prepaid account where a cycle date comprises the first day of usage periods for prepaid accounts. The application determines that a first prepaid account is associated with a first cycle date and a second prepaid account is associated with a second cycle date where the first, second, and consolidated cycle date differ from each other. A first and second prorated amount is determined by multiplying a remaining fraction of a current first and second usage period times a first and second periodic payment, respectively. The first prorated amount is added to the second prorated amount to determine a first credit. Individual billing is discontinued for the first and second prepaid account. The first credit is applied to a first master payment amount payable on the consolidated cycle date under the master prepaid account.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for reducing input performed in a commerce based application is provided. The method includes receiving a sequence of input values from an input device and associating the sequence of input values with an object in the application based on the sequence. A context of the application is determined. One or more tasks in the application are automatically performed based on the object, the context and the sequence of input values.

Abstract: A distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system. The system can include a central database and at least one integrated POS/EAS/information terminal adapted to communicate with NFC-enabled devices, RFID and EAS tags, and the database, wherein, when a customer places an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag and proximate the terminal, the terminal facilitates a transaction for purchasing the product. The terminal can include a processor, an NFC transceiver, a UHF RFID reader, and a Bluetooth transceiver. The transaction for purchasing the product can be performed via the NFC-enabled device.

Abstract: Virtual currency notes may be derived from one or more currency notes deposited at a currency reserve and/or from an asset held by a depository institution. A transaction provider may provide for ownership and/or transfer of the notes by various entities. Ownership of virtual currency notes may be transferred between entities while the depository institution maintains the asset associated therewith. A virtual currency note may be transferred to a transfer account, which may cause an amount equivalent to the virtual currency note to be deposited therein. After the transfer to a transfer account, the transferred virtual currency note may be removed from electronic circulation and/or transferred to another entity.

Abstract: Various processes are disclosed for discovering item relationships between particular items, such as products represented in an electronic catalog, based on monitored user behaviors (e.g., item viewing activities, item purchases, shopping cart activities, etc.). The discovered item relationships may, for example, be used to generate personalized item recommendations for users, and/or to supplement item detail pages of an electronic catalog with lists of related items. Also disclosed are processes for generating personalized item recommendations based on users' search activities and browse node visits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for documenting an inventory of items by accessing an inventory algorithm for creating an inventory list, adding two or more items to the inventory list, adding details about one or more of the items in the inventory list, identifying one or more real properties containing items in the inventory list, and linking one or more images with one or more of the items in the inventory list. The inventory can be created by providing a user with an access code to access the inventory list corresponding to the user, providing a reseller with access to the inventory algorithm for setting up a new user account and providing an authorized inventory professional with access to the inventory algorithm for creating the inventory list for the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed (a) which maintain credit card account and billing data including (i) data correlating credit card numbers, cardholders, and payment information such as mailing addresses or American Banking Association (ABA) routing numbers of the payee or his representative; (ii) data from which a payment due date can be determined; and (iii) means for estimating, receiving, or calculating a payment amount equal to or greater than a minimum payment amount due during a credit card's billing cycle; (b) which provide a mechanism for automatic funding of said payment amount payable during a billing cycle; and (c) which provide a mechanism for automatically issuing said payment amount to a designated payee or his representative whereby “late fees” are avoided.

Abstract: A system having a client, a host server, a sponsor server, and a video server, which are all interconnected via the Internet and which operate seamlessly together in order to provide video content to an end user at the client and allow the end user at the client to purchase products and/or services from the sponsor that are featured in the video content provided by the video server. As the user views video content on his or her computer, images associated with segments of the content are periodically provided in conjunction with the video content. Each image contains an image map, which defines areas in the image. Each defined area is associated with a product which is displayed in that area of the image. Each defined area is also associated with an anchored hyperlink which links to web content from a sponsor server. The web content includes product information for that particular product featured in that area of the image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products may be used for controlling use of a content item. A tag may be applied to a content item. The tag may include at least a unique identifier associated with the content item. When a first indication of a selection of the content item is received, the tag may be used to identify a sharing level associated with the content item and to control use of the content item based on the sharing level associated with the content item.

Abstract: A technique for effecting electronic commerce using a data network is described. The data network includes a plurality of subsystems which, together, form an integrated system for receiving customer orders for selected items via a data network, fulfilling the customer orders, and delivering the ordered products to the customers. Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, the integrated nature of the system architecture of the present invention allows the on-line merchant to provide a guarantee to the customer that the ordered items will be available to be delivered to the customer at the specified delivery date, time, and location.

Abstract: An online shopping basket is acquired by a buyer from an online store and is customized according to rules specified by the buyer. The buyer places zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) before they are given to at least one shopper by the online store. The shopper(s) may further customize the online shopping basket(s) with rules that do not conflict with those specified by the buyer. The shopper(s) then place zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) and return the basket(s) to the online store. Multiple online shopping baskets are merged into a single basket, and the buyer reviews the items in the merged online shopping basket and adds or removes items as necessary. The buyer then purchases the remaining items from the online store.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the widespread use of the PIN-Debit payment method for Internet “eCommerce” and mobile payments sales which requires little or no change for the cardholders, merchants, debit networks and card issuers based primarily on the introduction of a layer of middleware and wherein the Debit Networks and Issuing Banks may customize the implementation of the services based on individual strategy and cardholder preferences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that may be used for billing for quality of service applications. The method includes determining at least one parameter indicative of resource usage of at least one first quality of service application by comparing at least one resource used by the first quality of service application(s) to at least one resource used by a second quality of service application. The method also includes providing information indicative of at least one cost associated with the first quality of service application(s) based on the comparison and at least one cost associated with the second quality of service application.