Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A portion of the credit may be donated to a donee. Third party donations associated with a product purchased in a transaction may also be assigned to a donee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A return transaction record and updated record may be generated in response to the assigning of credits, the updated record listing as a purchase price the original price for each item less a credit assigned for that item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. Transactions may be compared to past transaction of a user in order to detect fraud. Recent activity may be flagged as potentially fraudulent and reviewed before providing a credit.

Abstract: Reagent test devices are prepared in which reagent carrier matrices are separated from each other by hydrophobic barrier pads of identical height to the reagent carrier matrices such that liquid present in a reagent matrix material is retained therein and prevented from running over into another reagent matrix area present on the same test device.

Abstract: Independent reagent matrix zones are created in hydrophobic open celled natural or synthetic material by heating the open celled material along parallel lines at right angles to the length of a reagent test device so as to seal the material at predetermined intervals and thereby form separate reagent matrix areas on the same reagent test device. This technique results in a reagent test device which eliminates the runover problem which has caused cross contamination between reagent areas and resulted in the failure of reagent test devices to perform properly.

Abstract: A test composition comprising glucose oxidase, a peroxidatively active component, a chromogenic indicator system capable of providing a detectable response and a borate buffer capable of providing an initial pH above about pH 7 is particularly useful for the semiquantitative determination of high range glucose, (i.e. glucose concentrations of 1,000 mg/dL to 10,000 mg/dL). A preferred indicator system is a water soluble iodide salt and poly(vinylpyrrolidone). The use of a borate buffer capable of providing an initial pH above about pH 7 permits greatly improved resolution for the semiquantitative determination of high range glucose when the test composition is incorported onto a carrier matrix to prepare a solid state unitary test device.

Abstract: Reagent test device are prepared in which reagent carrier matrices are separated from each other by hydrophobic barrier pads of identical height to the reagent carrier matrices such that liquid present in a reagent matrix material is retained therein and prevented from running over into another reagent matrix area present on the same test device.

Abstract: A test means, test device, and method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of a test sample as well as a method for making the device, are disclosed. The test means comprises a weakly acidic polyelectrolyte polymer, at least 50 percent of the carboxyl groups of which are present in the form of the salt of a quaternary ammonium ion having the structure ##STR1## in which the R substituents, same or different, are hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl, with the proviso that at least one of R is other than hydrogen; and an indicator means capable of producing a detectable response to ion exchange between the polyelectrolyte salt and the test sample. The device comprises a carrier matrix incorporated with the test means. The method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity comprises contacting the test sample with the test means or device and observing a detectable response.

Abstract: An improved test means, device and method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of an aqueous sample are disclosed. The test means comprises a weakly basic polyelectrolyte polymer salt and an indicator means capable of producing a detectable response to ion exchange between the polymer salt and the test sample. The polymer salt is one in which one or more of the basic moieties of the polymer is present as the salt of a strong organic acid.

Abstract: There is provided a process for removing trinitrotoluene from waste water resulting from the manufacture of trinitrotoluene, the process comprising forming an admixture of the waste water and an amino group containing compound of the formula (C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.m (NH(CH.sub.2).sub.x).sub.y NH.sub.z, wherein n is 1 to 25, m is 1 to 3, x is 1 to 5, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 2 or the amine and a cationic compound of the formula (C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-, wherein n is 1 to 25, and X.sup.- is Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, SO.sub.4 H.sup.- ; stirring the mixture to form a water insoluble reaction product of trinitrotoluene, and recovering the reaction product from the substantially trinitrotoluene free waste water.