Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of mobile commerce functions can comprise receiving a communication related to a function of a mobile wallet application of a mobile device. One or more of a plurality of acquirer systems for handling of the communication can be identified based on the function of the mobile wallet application to which the communication relates. The communication can be routed to the identified one or more acquirer systems for handling of the communication. In some cases, a reply to the communication can be received from at least one of the identified one or more acquirer systems and the reply can be sent to a recipient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of mobile commerce functions can comprise receiving a communication related to a function of a mobile wallet application of a mobile device. One or more of a plurality of acquirer systems for handling of the communication can be identified based on the function of the mobile wallet application to which the communication relates. The communication can be routed to the identified one or more acquirer systems for handling of the communication. In some cases, a reply to the communication can be received from at least one of the identified one or more acquirer systems and the reply can be sent to a recipient.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: A method of receiving content associated with media includes using a mobile device to acquire an image from media. The image has corresponding content. The method also includes using the mobile device to process the image to thereby produce the content and displaying at least a portion of the content on a display of the mobile device.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3d) bar code can be affixed to a financial instrument (e.g., the credit card) sent to a consumer. Upon receiving the financial instrument, the consumer can acquire an image of the 3D bar code with an image capture device (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device. The mobile device can interpret or decode the 3D bar code to extract a web address. The mobile device may then send a request for a web page associated with the web address, which could be returned by the web server at the financial institution. The web page may allow the consumer to enter personal information. Upon receiving the personal information, the financial institution can verify the information, authenticate the consumer, and activate the financial account.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for securely authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential. According to one embodiment, a method of authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential can comprise maintaining information identifying an account associated with the electronic payment credential. The information can also identify one or more electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential. A request to authorize the transaction can be received. The request can include information identifying an electronic device presenting the payment credential. The transaction can be authorized based at least in part on the information identifying the account. Authorizing can comprise determining the electronic device presenting the payment credential is one of the electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3d) bar code can be affixed to a financial instrument (e.g., the credit card) sent to a consumer. Upon receiving the financial instrument, the consumer can acquire an image of the 3D bar code with an image capture device (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device. The mobile device can interpret or decode the 3D bar code to extract a web address. The mobile device may then send a request for a web page associated with the web address, which could be returned by the web server at the financial institution. The web page may allow the consumer to enter personal information. Upon receiving the personal information, the financial institution can verify the information, authenticate the consumer, and activate the financial account.

Abstract: A method of providing content to users includes, at a host computer, receiving a user-initiated request for the content. The request relates to specific service discovery-enabled media and the request includes an identifier. The method also includes using the identifier to locate the content, and providing the content to the user. The method also includes receiving at the host computer one of a user-initiated request to settle a transaction using a previously-identified account, a request to credit a purchase to a previously-identified loyalty program account, and a request to purchase an item from a specific merchant. The method also includes taking an action consistent with the second-listed receiving step.

Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.

Abstract: A method of receiving content associated with media includes using a mobile device to acquire an image from media. The image has corresponding content. The method also includes using the mobile device to process the image to thereby produce the content and displaying at least a portion of the content on a display of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices to redeem and report use of various marketing offers such as coupons. According to one embodiment, redeeming and reporting a marketing offer can comprise transmitting information related to the marketing offer from a mobile wallet of the mobile device to a target device. A redemption message can be received at the mobile wallet of the mobile device from the target device. The redemption message can indicate acceptance of the marketing offer. At least a portion of the redemption message can be sent from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to a service provider system providing communication services to the mobile device. Sending the redemption message from the mobile wallet of the mobile device to the service provider system can be performed via a wireless communications network such as a cellular network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of mobile commerce functions can comprise receiving a communication related to a function of a mobile wallet application of a mobile device. One or more of a plurality of acquirer systems for handling of the communication can be identified based on the function of the mobile wallet application to which the communication relates. The communication can be routed to the identified one or more acquirer systems for handling of the communication. In some cases, a reply to the communication can be received from at least one of the identified one or more acquirer systems and the reply can be sent to a recipient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for registering a mobile device for use in a mobile commerce system. According to one embodiment, a method of registering a mobile device for use in a mobile commerce system can comprise receiving at a service provider system a registration request from a user of the mobile device. A determination can be made with the service provider system whether to allow registration of the mobile device. In response to determining to allow registration of the mobile device, the registration request can be sent from the service provider system to an acquirer system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing marketing messages to a mobile device. According to one embodiment, a method of providing one or more marketing messages to a mobile device in a mobile commerce system can comprise receiving at a mobile wallet server a set of information from an acquirer system. The set of information can identify one or more marketing offers. One or more marketing messages can be generated by the mobile wallet server based on the set of information identifying the one or more marketing offers. For example, the marketing messages can comprise Short Message Service (SMS) messages, email messages, or other types of messages. Each of the one or more marketing messages can be sent from the mobile wallet server to one or more mobile devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing account information to a mobile wallet application in a mobile commerce system. According to one embodiment, a method of providing account information for a financial account to a mobile wallet of a mobile device can comprise receiving at a mobile wallet server a request for the account information. For example, the account information can comprise an account balance. In another example, the account information can comprise an account transaction history. An account inquiry can be sent from the mobile wallet server to an acquirer system. The account information can be received at the mobile wallet server from the acquirer system and sent from the mobile wallet server to the mobile wallet of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for handling payment transactions in a mobile commerce system and initiated between mobile devices. According to one embodiment, a method of processing a payment transaction from a first mobile wallet application of a first mobile device to a second mobile wallet application of a second mobile device in a mobile commerce system can comprise receiving at a first acquirer system a communication from the first mobile device. The communication can be related to the payment transaction and can include information identifying a first financial account from which a payment is requested. A second acquirer system for authorizing the payment can be identified based on the information identifying the first financial account. The communication can be sent to the second acquirer system for authorization of the transaction based on the information related to the first financial account.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for handling payment transactions in a mobile commerce system. According to one embodiment, a method of processing a payment transaction in a mobile commerce system can comprise receiving at a first acquirer system a communication from a point-of-sale (POS) device. The communication can be related to the payment transaction and can include information identifying a financial account from which a payment is requested. A second acquirer for authorizing the payment can be identified based on the information identifying the financial account. The communication can be sent to the second acquirer system for authorization of the transaction based on the information related to the financial account. An indication of whether the transaction is authorized can be received from the second acquirer system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for provisioning information to a mobile device in a mobile commerce system. According to one embodiment, a method of provisioning information to a mobile wallet application of a mobile device can comprise receiving at a mobile wallet server registration information for the mobile device from an acquirer system. A determination can be made based on the registration information as to whether the mobile wallet of the mobile device has been previously provisioned. In response to determining that the mobile wallet of the mobile device has not been previously provisioned, a new mobile wallet can be created for the mobile device. A notification can then be sent from the mobile wallet server to the mobile device, the notification indicating the mobile wallet is available for download.