Abstract: Multifactor authentication systems and methods employ an online payment server processor that authenticates a user in an online session with a merchant website server processor based on data representing one or more predefined authentication factors received from a user device processor over a communication network and sends data representing a secure user login cookie to the user device processor over the communication network based on the authentication of the user in the online session with the merchant website server processor. Thereafter, the online payment server processor authenticates the user in a subsequent online session with the merchant website server processor based in part on identifying the data representing the secure user login cookie on the user device and in part on data representing a second predefined authentication factor received from the user device processor over the communication network.

Abstract: Multifactor authentication systems and methods employ an online payment server processor that authenticates a user in an online session with a merchant website server processor based on data representing one or more predefined authentication factors received from a user device processor over a communication network and sends data representing a secure user login cookie to the user device processor over the communication network based on the authentication of the user in the online session with the merchant website server processor. Thereafter, the online payment server processor authenticates the user in a subsequent online session with the merchant website server processor based in part on identifying the data representing the secure user login cookie on the user device and in part on data representing a second predefined authentication factor received from the user device processor over the communication network.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems to generate and display interactive graphical user interfaces that receive data inputs from users. A server receives, from a web server, a request to display electronic content comprising at least one interactive graphical element corresponding to a payment option on a webpage hosted by the webserver displayed on a user device, the request comprising a unique identifier associated with a user interacting with the webpage; calculates an attribute of the payment option for the user; transmits for presentation on the webpage, at least one graphical element comprising the payment option, the interactive graphical element configured to receive an input from the user interacting with the webpage; and upon receiving an indication of interactions with the graphical element, transmits a monetary amount to an account of a merchant associated with the webserver.

Abstract: A method and device are described for maintaining software components in a portable electronic device. The device includes memory storing software components executable from the device, with associated pairs of logical storage partitions for storing different versions of the software components, a data interface for coupling the device to a host computer, a contactless interface for receiving payment token data from a contactless payment token, and a cellular network interface for communication of data over a cellular network. An upgrade process is initiated when the device is coupled to the host computer. Data including a different version of at least one of said software components is received, installed and executed to initiate a payment transaction with a remote system. Payment token data is received via the contactless interface means and transmitted to the remote system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.

Abstract: In a secure computing environment, a method, system and device are provided for loading stored encryption key data from a protected non-volatile memory of a portable device. A boot loader program is initiated after the portable device is powered on, encryption key data is loaded from the protected non-volatile memory of the portable device, and access to the protected non-volatile memory is disabled after a predetermined time after the portable device is powered on. In this way, the encryption key data is loaded from the protected non-volatile memory of a portable device before the boot operating system is loaded.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling direct user interaction with specific items of content as presented by a content delivery system. Content is presented via a set-top box concurrently with a widget, indicating one or more items specified in content. User input relating to selection of one of the items is received. An interactive platform, in response to the input, generates a request specifying the selected item for purchase.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having a memory storing application software for initiating a payment transaction with a remote system, a data interface for coupling the device to a host computer, a contactless interface for receiving payment token data from a contactless payment token, and a cellular network interface for communication of data over a cellular network. The application software is executed from the device when the device is connected to the host computer and configures the portable electronic device to initiate a payment transaction by receiving payment token data via the contactless interface means and transmitting said payment token data to the remote system via the mobile network interface means.

Abstract: A method and device are described for maintaining software components in a portable electronic device. The device includes memory storing software components executable from the device, with associated pairs of logical storage partitions for storing different versions of the software components, a data interface for coupling the device to a host computer, a contactless interface for receiving payment token data from a contactless payment token, and a cellular network interface for communication of data over a cellular network. An upgrade process is initiated when the device is coupled to the host computer. Data including a different version of at least one of said software components is received, installed and executed to initiate a payment transaction with a remote system. Payment token data is received via the contactless interface means and transmitted to the remote system.

Abstract: In a secure computing environment, a method, system and device are provided for loading stored encryption key data from a protected non-volatile memory of a portable device. A boot loader program is initiated after the portable device is powered on, encryption key data is loaded from the protected non-volatile memory of the portable device, and access to the protected non-volatile memory is disabled after a predetermined time after the portable device is powered on. In this way, the encryption key data is loaded from the protected non-volatile memory of a portable device before the boot operating system is loaded.

Abstract: A method may include aggregating information regarding events, where for each event the aggregated information includes an event name, an event time, and an event venue. The method may further include receiving a request for a list of events or a list of venues from a user device and obtaining, from the user device, a profile of a user of the user device. The method may further include generating, based on the profile and the aggregated information regarding events, the generated list of events or the list of venues and sending, to the user device, the list of events or the list of venues.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling direct user interaction with specific items of content as presented by a content delivery system. Content is presented via a set-top box concurrently with a widget, indicating one or more items specified in content. User input relating to selection of one of the items is received. An interactive platform, in response to the input, generates a request specifying the selected item for purchase.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for facilitating group messaging to various communication devices are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving from an originating user a broadcast message having an address designating at least in part a group of recipients. Next, an intended recipient may be identified based on at least a part of the address. An indication of the broadcast message may then be sent to the intended recipient in accordance with a sending method that is dynamically selected from a set of sending methods associated with the intended recipient based on characteristics associated with the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method may include aggregating information regarding events, where for each event the aggregated information includes an event name, an event time, and an event venue. The method may further include receiving a request for a list of events or a list of venues from a user device and obtaining, from the user device, a profile of a user of the user device. The method may further include generating, based on the profile and the aggregated information regarding events, the generated list of events or the list of venues and sending, to the user device, the list of events or the list of venues.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for facilitating group messaging to various communication devices are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving from an originating user a broadcast message having an address designating at least in part a group of recipients. Next, an intended recipient may be identified based on at least a part of the address. An indication of the broadcast message may then be sent to the intended recipient in accordance with a sending method that is dynamically selected from a set of sending methods associated with the intended recipient based on characteristics associated with the intended recipient.

Abstract: An exemplary method and apparatus for facilitating contact sharing between users of a communication network are described. The method may include maintaining contact information in first and second address books associated with first and second users, respectively, and forwarding, from the first user to the second user, a request to copy contact information from the first address book to the second address book. The method may further include receiving a confirmation from the second user in response to the request, and copying the contact information from the first address book to the second address book in response to the confirmation.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.