Abstract: A method for facilitating secure and cost-effective transactions using a Tap to Pay (TTP) functionality is disclosed. The method includes receiving Bank Identification Number (BIN) data associated with a customer's payment card during a transaction initiation, generating a Personal Identification Number (PIN) based on the received BIN data, displaying the generated PIN on the customer's smartphone or smart device for authentication purposes during the transaction, utilizing the displayed PIN for added authentication, reducing the need for physical tokens or additional hardware, and enhancing security and reducing the risk of fraud by requiring the use of the displayed PIN during the transaction.

Abstract: An automatic knife sharpening machine may include a vice to grip a blade of a knife and a pair of grind wheels to grind material from the blade. The machine may include a scanner to determine a profile of an edge of the blade, and a sharpness sensor to determine a sharpness level of the edge. The machine may include a controller. The controller may perform a first sharpening pass on the knife by moving the grind wheels into contact with the blade, and advancing the grind wheels longitudinally along the blade from adjacent the vice towards a tip of the blade with the grind wheels in contact with the blade. The controller may determine, using the sharpness sensor, the sharpness level of the edge after the first sharpening pass and perform at least one second sharpening pass when the determined sharpness level is less than a threshold sharpness level.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting secure debit and credit card electronic financial transactions involving NFC card reading using a computer device includes the steps of identifying, by a computing system, a first payment source account held by a card holder; receiving, by computing system, transaction data associated with a transaction initiated by the cardholder with a merchant using the first payment source account, the transaction having a transaction amount; requesting, by a computing system, via a first network a first transfer of the transaction amount from the first payment source account within a predetermined time; determining a card status; storing the meta data associated with the transaction in a database wherein the meta data includes at least the card status; if the card status is card-present status, converting the card-present status into card-not-present status by virtue of the NFC card reading process using a computer device having an NFC card reading capabilities; and transferring the tra

Abstract: A system and method for conducting secure card-present debit and credit card electronic financial transactions involving no swiping or inserting or imprinting a card are provided. The method includes identifying, by a computing system, a first payment source account held by a card holder; receiving, by computing system, transaction data associated with a transaction initiated by the card holder with a merchant using the first payment source account, the transaction having a transaction amount; requesting, by a computing system, via a first network a first transfer of the transaction amount from the first payment source account within a predetermined time; determining a “card-present” status; storing the meta data associated with the transaction in a database wherein the meta data includes at least the card-present status; and transferring the transaction amount to pay the merchant.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided. The method includes identifying, by a computing system, a first payment source account held by an account holder; receiving, by computing system, transaction data associated with a transaction initiated by the account holder with a merchant using the first payment source account, the transaction having a transaction amount; requesting, by a computing system, via a first network a first transfer of the transaction amount from the first payment source account within a predetermined time; receiving a virtual signature from the account holder; encrypting the virtual signature; storing the encrypted virtual signature in a database; and transferring the transaction amount to pay the merchant.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided. The method includes receiving a request, from a user, to perform a transaction with a merchant; generating a virtual check comprising a checking account number, a bank routing number, and a date; displaying the virtual check on at least one of a display of an electronic device of a user or the merchant; receiving input from the user corresponding to at least one of a plurality of check fields; receiving a virtual signature from the user; encrypting the virtual signature; storing the encrypted virtual signature in a database; decrypting and embedding, in the image of the virtual check, the virtual signature received from the user; populating the virtual check based on the received input and depositing the virtual check.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided. The method includes receiving a request, from a user, to perform a transaction with a merchant, generating a virtual check comprising a checking account number, a bank routing number, and a date, displaying the virtual check on at least one of a display of an electronic device of a user or the merchant, receiving input from the user corresponding to at least one of a plurality of check fields, automatically generating meta data, in real-time, on the virtual check, wherein the meta data comprises a location of check creation and a time of check creation, embedding, in the image of the virtual check, at least part of the meta data, populating the virtual check based on the received input; and depositing the virtual check.

Abstract: A system and method to conduct secure electronic financial transactions are provided.

Abstract: An automatic knife sharpening machine may include a vice to grip a blade of a knife and a pair of grind wheels to grind material from the blade. The machine may include a scanner to determine a profile of an edge of the blade, and a sharpness sensor to determine a sharpness level of the edge. The machine may include a controller. The controller may perform a first sharpening pass on the knife by moving the grind wheels into contact with the blade, and advancing the grind wheels longitudinally along the blade from adjacent the vice towards a tip of the blade with the grind wheels in contact with the blade. The controller may determine, using the sharpness sensor, the sharpness level of the edge after the first sharpening pass and perform at least one second sharpening pass when the determined sharpness level is less than a threshold sharpness level.

Abstract: A method for context-sensitive delivery notification includes receiving, by a computing device, from a user-interfacing device, an indication that a user is near to the user-interfacing device, determining, by the computing device, a location of the user-interfacing device, obtaining, by the computing device, a delivery status detected by a delivery-sensing depository, and providing, by the computing device, the determined delivery status to the at least one user, based on the determined location.

Abstract: A method for context-sensitive delivery involves determining, by a computing device, an anticipated delivery time, receiving, by the computing device, from a first delivery-sensing depository, an indication that the first delivery-sensing depository has received a delivery at a time differing from the anticipated delivery time, and alerting, by the computing device, a user regarding the detected delivery.

Abstract: A knife sharpener includes a knife holder in which a knife is inserted so that an edge of the knife is exposed, at least one edge sensor, configured to detect the edge of the knife, at least one abrader, the at least one abrader having a sharpening surface angled to meet an edge of the knife at a sharpening angle of one side of the knife, a motive mechanism connected to the holder and the at least one abrader, and a computing device in communication with the edge sensor and the motive mechanism, and configured to cause the at least one abrader to traverse the edge of the knife using the motive mechanism, in response to the at least one edge sensor. A method for knife sharpening involves directing the abrader to traverse the edge of the knife, responsive to input from an edge sensor.

Abstract: A system and related method are disclosed for establishing geographical communication and predicting mail delivery using mailbox-mounted devices adapted to detect delivery automatically and transmit that detection to associated electronic devices. Detection may be performed by various means including accelerometers, cameras, and magnetometers. The method includes maintaining a registry of mailbox-mounted devices, and passing communication between electronic devices used by owners of mailbox-mounted devices. The communication can include detection by the mailbox-mounted devices of mail delivery, and calculation of the postal carrier's probable route using that delivery detection.