Abstract: A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for power saving techniques in mobile devices. A signal quality metric of a received wireless signal may be monitored. A determination is made when the signal quality metric exceeds a threshold quality level for a time period. A subset of the signal processing functionality may be de-activated responsive to the determination. There may be different thresholds depending on whether the mobile device is in idle or connected mode. There may also be different thresholds for various signal processing algorithms.

Abstract: A method for reducing idle mode power consumption is disclosed. An idle mode is entered. A neighboring base station is selected. If the selected neighboring base station is assigned a high-frequency monitoring mode, a signal strength of the neighboring base station is measured. A low-frequency monitoring mode is assigned to the selected neighboring base station if the signal strength of the selected neighboring base station has been below a power threshold for longer than a time threshold. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase).

Abstract: A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase).

Abstract: A system and method providing a frame structure to received channel data sent over an air interface of a wireless communication system. The system and method may allow compensation for transmitting and receiving frequency variations, synchronization at the receiver, and provides a virtual signaling channel which may be used for system alarms and status. In one embodiment, the system uses bit stuffing, a frame preamble and a signaling preamble to transmit data at a high data rate in the ISM band.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives information relating to customer activity with a first vendor (e.g., via a Web page that a customer accesses). The controller further receives an indication of items the customer desires to purchase, the items having an associated total price. The controller determines, based on any of various criteria, whether to provide an offer for a subsidy based on the information relating to customer activity. The offer for a subsidy is from a second vendor (a subsidizing vendor), and may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for the item and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. If the customer accepts the offer, he is charged a second price for the items. The second price is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: A controller is in communication with a plurality of vendors that are servicing customers, as well as with a plurality of “subsidizing” vendors seeking access to those customers. The controller receives from a first vendor an indication of one or more items that a customer is to purchase. In response, the controller transmits, on behalf of a subsidizing vendor, an indication of an offer for a subsidy such as a reduction in the customer's purchase price. If the customer accepts the offer, the controller provides an amount of funds from the subsidizing vendor to the first vendor. The controller may also retain a portion of the amount as payment. The controller also facilitates a transaction between the customer and the subsidizing vendor. For example, the customer may be required to sign up for a service (e.g. credit card account service) that is provided by the subsidizing vendor.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying and suppressing frequency spurs in a signal are disclosed. In an embodiment, an incoming signal is rotated by a frequency related to a spur frequency, and an estimate of the content of the rotated signal is derived. The estimate may be subtracted from the rotated incoming signal, and the result de-rotated by the spur frequency. In an embodiment, the incoming signal may be rotated such that the spur is centered at DC. In an alternative embodiment, the estimate may be de-rotated before being subtracted from the original incoming signal. Techniques for addressing multiple spurs using serial and parallel architectures are disclosed. Further disclosed are techniques for searching for the presence of spurs in an incoming signal, and tracking spur frequencies over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase. According to one embodiment, a transfer code is transmitted to the buyer. The transfer code is then received from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item. After the transfer code is received, it may be arranged for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer. In another embodiment, it is arranged for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller, and a transfer code is transmitted to the seller. In this case, the transfer code may be received from the buyer as an indication that he or she has received the item from the seller. According to another embodiment, a delivery code is received from the seller after it is arranged for the buyer to purchase the item. After the delivery code is received, it is arranged for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: A method by which a coupon having a variable benefit is provided includes generating a coupon having a variable benefit, wherein a duplicate of the coupon is transmitted from one recipient to another recipient, receiving an indication that a first recipient has performed a qualifying action, such as receiving, registering for and/or redeeming the coupon offer from a second recipient of the coupon, and changing a benefit of the coupon retained by the second recipient after the indication is received. A system includes a controller operable to compute a benefit of the coupon according to benefit variation conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include, e.g., the class and type of item being sold, the reputation of a seller, a floor price below which the item will not be sold, a condition of the item and peripherals included with the item. Based on the received information, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include, e.g., the class and type of item being sold, the reputation of a seller, a floor price below which the item will not be sold, a condition of the item and peripherals included with the item. Based on the received information, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for a supplier to offer multiple products to a first person and multiple pre-owned products to a second person is disclosed.

Abstract: Products and processes are provided in which information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include, e.g., the class and type of item being sold, the reputation of a seller, a floor price below which the item will not be sold, a condition of the item and peripherals included with the item. Based on the received information, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for a supplier to offer multiple products to a first person and multiple pre-owned products to a second person is disclosed.