Abstract: A communications system may include a first wireless communications device communicating based upon a first wireless communications protocol, a second wireless communications device communicating based upon a second wireless communications protocol different from the first wireless communications protocol, and a wireless base station. The wireless base station may communicate with the first wireless communications device and the second wireless communications device based upon a frame structure. The frame structure may be defined by sub-carriers at respective different frequencies and symbols at respective different times. The frame structure may include a frame control header, a first frame portion for communicating with the first wireless communications device based upon the first wireless communications protocol, and a second frame portion for communicating with the second wireless communications device based upon the second wireless communications protocol.

Abstract: A portable radio communications device is for transmitting data and voice communications. The portable radio communications device may include a portable housing, a radio transceiver operating at a frequency in a range of 30 MHz-3000 MHz and being carried by the portable housing for direct communication with a corresponding radio transceiver, and a metropolitan area network (MAN) transceiver carried by the portable housing for indirect communication with a corresponding MAN transceiver via a MAN base station. The portable radio communications device may also include a controller carried by the portable housing for selectively allocating transmission of the data and voice communications between the radio transceiver and the MAN transceiver based upon a received signal characteristic. The controller may preferentially allocate the voice communications and the data communications to the radio transceiver and the MAN transceiver, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating transactions with real-time awards determinations for a cardholder. Each transaction includes transaction information, where the transaction information includes: cardholder information, merchant information, and a transaction amount. An engine determines if an award should be granted based on award criteria, such that the engine compares the transaction information with each award criterion in order to determine if the award should be granted in real-time with the transaction by the cardholder.

Abstract: A method includes receiving inertial position information, global positioning information and ranging information with a position estimation device. The method determines an estimation of a position of the position estimation device based on a combination of the inertial position information, the global position information and the ranging information.

Abstract: A loyalty program associated with a payment processing system is constructed, implemented, and refined through collaboration between collaborative constituents in the payment processing system. A first collaborative constituent may transmits a proposal having at least one parameter of the loyalty program to another collaborative constituents. The first collaborative constituent may receive a response to the proposal and transmit a reply based on the response. All remaining collaborative constituents in the negotiation process agree to a negotiated set of parameters. The negotiated set of parameters for the loyalty program is communicated to a loyalty program implementer that can be one of the collaborative constituents. The same process of proposal, response, and reply can be utilized to refine the negotiated set of parameters as long as the remaining collaborative constituents agree that refinement is in order.

Abstract: The eligibility of an transaction between a consumer and a merchant toward an incentive for a loyalty program is determined using a globally unique identifier (GUID) matching algorithm. Information characterizing the transaction may include a GUID for the merchant and a GUID for an account of the consumer on which the transaction is payable. The GUIDs are each matched against GUIDs of merchants and accounts stored in a database, some of which are distinguished as loyalty program participants. When both the GUID for the merchant and the GUID for the account match with respective GUIDs in the database that are distinguished as loyalty program participants, the transaction is eligible toward the incentive.