Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.

Abstract: A dining plate active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight and calories. Removable dining plates are placed on an underplate comprising sensing and wireless communication components. The system may include a camera. Data related to the food is sent to the internet as well as displayed on the visual stimulating component of a handheld communication device, such as a mobile phone. Auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for storing and dispensing into a liquid a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, a body fuel, a nutritional supplement, a stimulant, a relaxant, an alcohol neutralizer, or a medical drug. A useful application of the subject invention includes a lime flavoring held by a gelatinous artificial lime wedge stored with a beer bottle or can, or attached to a 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime wedge may be retrieved from a protective covering and acted upon so it mixes the lime flavoring into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle or can. Rather than needing to buy and store a perishable natural lime, and cut it up, an artificial lime wedge may be stored for an extended period of time with a beer vessel and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: A dining utensil includes a stimulating component, a sensing component, and a communication component to enhance a dining experience. The stimulating component includes one or more light sources, which may be different colors. The utensil has a processor with the computer program configured to activate the stimulating component to illuminate the eating portion of the utensil, which may display an image or video. The stimulating component may be optically coupled with a light guide to provide lighted bands, portions, and patterns. The sensing component senses a food condition, and may be configured to activate the stimulating component. The communication component provides wireless communication with a mobile phone and the internet.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for storing and dispensing a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, into a liquid. A useful application of the subject invention includes the case where lime-flavored liquid is contained in a foam artificial lime stored in the neck of a beer bottle, attached to a beer bottle or can, or attached to the 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime may be retrieved from the neck or a protective covering and acted upon so it diffuses the lime-flavored liquid into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle. Alternately, juice from the artificial lime may be squeezed into the beer, or the artificial lime may be simply retrieved and discarded. Rather than needing to buy a natural lime, cut it up and push a wedge into a beer bottle, an artificial lime, or a packaged natural lime, may be stored directly in or with the beer bottle and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: A dining plate active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight and calories. Removable dining plates are placed on an underplate comprising sensing and wireless communication components. The system may include a camera. Data related to the food is sent to the internet as well as displayed on the visual stimulating component of a handheld communication device, such as a mobile phone. Auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

Abstract: A referrer device configured to perform operations such as detecting an electronic request to provide information from an information source to a contact communication device. The contact data for a contact associated with the contact communication device is accessible by the referrer device. However, the contact data is not accessible by the information source. The operations can further include encoding a referral container file with programming instructions configured to, upon execution by a processor of the contact communication device, cause the contact communication device to electronically request the information from the information source via a communications network without providing the contact data to the information source. The operations can further include embedding the referral container file in an electronic message and transmitting, via a network communication interface of the referrer device, the electronic message to the contact communication device.

Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, with a method for transferring information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for storing and dispensing a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, into a liquid. A useful application of the subject invention includes the case where lime-flavored liquid is contained in a foam artificial lime stored in the neck of a beer bottle, attached to a beer bottle or can, or attached to the 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime may be retrieved from the neck or a protective covering and acted upon so it diffuses the lime-flavored liquid into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle. Alternately, juice from the artificial lime may be squeezed into the beer, or the artificial lime may be simply retrieved and discarded. Rather than needing to buy a natural lime, cut it up and push a wedge into a beer bottle, an artificial lime, or a packaged natural lime, may be stored directly in or with the beer bottle and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: Active foodware system comprises at least a dining plate unit that provides visual stimuli by having a power source and a visual sensory stimulating component to provide light emanating from the dining plate. Other devices can provide auditory and haptic stimuli. The dining plate unit can be a single component where the device and circuitry are all contained in the unit and protected from water or can be two components: an upper translucent dining plate and an underplate comprising the devices and circuitry for directing light through the upper translucent dining plate.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for storing and dispensing a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, into a liquid. A useful application of the subject invention includes the case where lime-flavored liquid is contained in a foam artificial lime stored in the neck of a beer bottle, attached to a beer bottle or can, or attached to the 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime may be retrieved from the neck or a protective covering and acted upon so it diffuses the lime-flavored liquid into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle. Alternately, juice from the artificial lime may be squeezed into the beer, or the artificial lime may be simply retrieved and discarded. Rather than needing to buy a natural lime, cut it up and push a wedge into a beer bottle, an artificial lime, or a packaged natural lime, may be stored directly in or with the beer bottle and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: Drinking vessels and drinking vessel holders display moving images. The vessels and holders include stimulating components for visual, auditory and tactile stimulation, as well as sensing components and processors. Visual stimulation is provided by LEDs, LCDs, electroluminescent light sources and two immiscible liquids in a wall. Speech and vibrations can be output. Sensing components sense location and dynamics of vessels and holders, innate characteristics of the contents, and light. A stimulating component can be activated by signals from a sensing component or processor. A vessel or holder can communicate with a user or device based on the signals received from a sensing component or processor.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically during a transaction, a promotion redemption, or by a position sensor in their mobile phone. A promotion and member are optionally matched by the member's traits and behaviors. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics. Using the system, venues can determine who is shopping nearby and can send promotions to their phones, and members can know before going which venues have promotions and their preferred attendee demographic.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.