Abstract: A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt.

Abstract: A system and method for a trusted fulfillment agent network system is described. A network of trusted fulfillment agents is generated for a seller in an online marketplace. A transaction between a buyer and the seller corresponding to a listing of the seller in the online marketplace is accessed. A request is generated to the network of trusted fulfillment agents of the seller to fulfill a shipment of an item from the listing to the buyer on behalf of the seller.

Abstract: A method for making a location-based automatic payment includes receiving an automatic payment instruction that designates a payee account. The automatic payment instruction is associated with a payer account in a database. A payment location is received and associated with the automatic payment request in the database. A payer device that is associated with the payer account is determined to be in the payment location and, in response, a payment request is sent over a network to make a payment from the payer account to the payee account.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking web link usage is provided. An example system includes a request detector, a click history module, a link presentation generator, and a serving module. The request detector may be configured to receive a request for a web page comprising a web link. The click history module may be configured to access click history associated with the user account. The link presentation generator may be configured to modify the web page, utilizing the click history. The serving module may be configured to serve the modified web page in response to the request for the web page.

Abstract: A method and system to confirm ownership of digital goods is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, from a client device via a data network interface, a request for a digital good, completing one or more micro transactions with respect to a financial account, generating a code utilizing information derived from the one or more micro transactions and embedding the code into a first copy of the digital good, the code to be used to confirm ownership of the digital good.

Abstract: A method for charging a payer includes detecting a payer device, which is associated with a payer account, entering an event area. The payer device is then associated with an event invoice in a database. When the payer device is determined to have been involved in at least one payer charging event while being located in the event area, a charge is associated with the event invoice in the database for each payer charging event the payer device has been involved in. When the payer device is detected leaving the event area, a payment is charged to the payer account for the event invoice.

Abstract: A method for charging a payer includes detecting a payer device, which is associated with a payer account, entering an event area. The payer device is then associated with an event invoice in a database. When the payer device is determined to have been involved in at least one payer charging event while being located in the event area, a charge is associated with the event invoice in the database for each payer charging event the payer device has been involved in. When the payer device is detected leaving the event area, a payment is charged to the payer account for the event invoice.

Abstract: A method for providing a purchase history context search includes receiving at least one search term from a user through an input device. A purchase history for the user is then accessed from at least one purchase history database over a network. A web index that is located on at least one storage device is then accessed. A plurality of search results, each associated with a web page indexed by the web index, are then determined using the at least one search term and the purchase history, each search result including a link to an associated web page. The plurality of search results are then provided for display on a display device.

Abstract: A method for making a payment includes receiving a plurality of spending gate definitions for a customer account over a network. Each of the plurality of spending gate definitions associates at least one of a plurality of funding sources of the customer account with a purchase amount range. The plurality of spending gate definitions are stored in a database. A payment request for a purchase using the customer account is received over the network. The payment request includes a payment amount. The payment amount is corresponds to a first purchase amount range included in at least one of the spending definitions in the database. A payment is made using the at least one funding source of the customer account that is associated with the first purchase amount range according to the at least one spending definition.

Abstract: A method for providing a purchase history context search includes receiving at least one search term from a user through an input device. A purchase history for the user is then accessed from at least one purchase history database over a network. A web index that is located on at least one storage device is then accessed. A plurality of search results, each associated with a web page indexed by the web index, are then determined using the at least one search term and the purchase history, each search result including a link to an associated web page. The plurality of search results are then provided for display on a display device.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt.

Abstract: A method for making a payment using a RFID system includes associating a first RFID identifier with a payer account in a database. A purchase type and an associated spending gate definition are received for the first RFID identifier over the network. The spending gate definition is associated with at least one of a plurality of funding sources of the payer account. The purchase type and associated spending gate definition are associated with the first RFID identifier in the database. A payment request is received for a purchase using the first RFID identifier over the network. It is determined that that the payment request includes the purchase type in the database. A payment is made using the at least one funding source of the payer account according to the spending gate definition associated with the purchase type.

Abstract: A method for providing payer information on a payer device includes providing a payer device that includes at least one physical state change component moveably coupled to the payer device. Payer information is received over a network. The payer information is then determined to be associated with a physical state change instruction in a non-transitory, machine-readable medium of the payer device. The at least one physical state change component is then actuated according to the physical state change instruction to provide the payer information to a payer by changing the physical state of the payer device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing purchase recommendations and a budget to a user. The purchase recommendations can be for discretionary products for the user or for gifts for others. The purchase recommendations and the budget can be based upon the amount of discretionary money available for the user to make such purchases and for whom the purchases are to be made. The purchase recommendations and the budget can be further based upon purchase histories, wish lists, and calendars.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concealing information regarding products purchased as gifts for others, such as the intended gift recipient. Often, opportunities exist for a gift recipient to inadvertently or intentionally obtain information regarding a gift to be given or already given to them. For example, such information can be readily available via sources such as social media and other websites, as well from account statements. Such information can be omitted from websites, account statements, and the like, at least until such a time that the user wants for the information to be available.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing a user experience are described. The methods include automatically collecting identifying characteristic information for a current user, comparing the identifying characteristic information to stored user profiles for known users, identifying the current user as a known user, retrieving user preferences for the known user, and presenting the user preferences.

Abstract: A method for making a payment using a RFID system includes associating a first RFID identifier with a payer account in a database. A purchase type and an associated spending gate definition are received for the first RFID identifier over the network. The spending gate definition is associated with at least one of a plurality of funding sources of the payer account. The purchase type and associated spending gate definition are associated with the first RFID identifier in the database. A payment request is received for a purchase using the first RFID identifier over the network. It is determined that that the payment request includes the purchase type in the database. A payment is made using the at least one funding source of the payer account according to the spending gate definition associated with the purchase type.

Abstract: A method for providing payer information on a payer device includes providing a payer device that includes at least one physical state change component moveably coupled to the payer device. Payer information is received over a network. The payer information is then determined to be associated with a physical state change instruction in a non-transitory, machine-readable medium of the payer device. The at least one physical state change component is then actuated according to the physical state change instruction to provide the payer information to a payer by changing the physical state of the payer device.