Abstract: A electric power control device for a hybrid electric power system according to the present disclosure includes an electric power measuring unit that is configured to measure output electric power of the electric power system, and a controller that is configured to control operations of a first electric power generator and a second electric power generator of the electric power system based on a preset control mode and the measured output electric power, wherein the controller controls an output voltage of the first electric power generator to be a first offset voltage corresponding to an output of the second electric power generator for a first time when the output of the second electric power generator is controlled to be switched from an ON state into an OFF state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction damper (1) and method related to the preparation of a friction damper, particularly for drum washing machines having a spin gear, with a housing and with a moveable tappet (4) which is arranged in the housing (2), parallel to the housing longitudinal axis (2a), and is led out of the housing (2) and which is provided at its end located in the housing with a moveably guided friction lining (8). The invention is distinguished in that the friction lining (8) or a body carrying the friction lining (8) is provided with a receptacle (22) for receiving an expandable body (23).

Abstract: A network centric system that enables participation by any number of entities including sponsors, issuers, merchants, portable devices, and acceptance point devices in one or more loyalty programs is provided. Any combination of entities may be specified for different loyalty programs.

Abstract: A flexible spending account system can be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention so as to automatically substantiate purchases made at a retailer merchant. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of authorizing products for purchase can be implemented by determining via a computer that a product requested for purchase at a point of sale by a consumer matches a qualified product category under the flexible spending account, sending an authorization request message for requesting use of said flexible spending account of said consumer, wherein said authorization request message comprises a total purchase amount field and a first qualified amount field for a first type of qualified items.

Abstract: A control device for distributed generators connected to a power main grid includes: a load power measuring unit measuring power consumption of loads connected to the plurality of distributed generators; a distributed generator power measuring unit measuring powers outputted from the plurality of distributed generators; a power flow reference value determining unit determining a power flow reference value of a power line connected to the main grid based on the power consumption and the distributed generator output power; and a mode control unit changing the operation mode of at least one of the plurality of distributed generators such that the flow power of the power line connected to the main grid maintains the reference value.

Abstract: Healthcare insurance coverage is determined using an account within a payment processing system. A transmission addressed to the payment processing system is formed including an account number of an account associated with the payment processing system, a description of a healthcare related commodity rendered to a patient deriving healthcare insurance through an insured, and request for a specification of financial responsibility of the insured for the described said healthcare related commodity. A transmission is received from the payment processing system including the requested specification of financial responsibility.

Abstract: A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward.

Abstract: A dispensing system for the interior of a dishwashing machine includes a component carrier on which components are detachably or nondetachably arranged, including at least a dispensing chamber, an actuator, and a closing element as well as an energy source and/or a control unit and/or a sensor unit. The closing element is coupled with the actuator such that movement of the actuator displaces the closing element into a closure or a release position. The at least one dispensing chamber is connected in communicating manner with at least one cartridge chamber and includes an inlet for inflow of washing or cleaning agent from a cartridge chamber and an outlet for outflow of washing or cleaning agent from the dispensing chamber into its surrounding environment. The outlet of the dispensing chamber is closable or openable by the closing element.

Abstract: A network centric system that enables participation by any number of entities including sponsors, issuers, merchants, portable devices, and acceptance point devices in one or more loyalty programs is provided. Any combination of entities may be specified for different loyalty programs.

Abstract: A flexible spending account system can be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention so as to automatically substantiate purchases made at a retailer merchant. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of authorizing products for purchase can be implemented by determining via a computer that a product requested for purchase at a point of sale by a consumer matches a qualified product category under the flexible spending account, sending an authorization request message for requesting use of said flexible spending account of said consumer, wherein said authorization request message comprises a total purchase amount field and a first qualified amount field for a first type of qualified items.

Abstract: A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward.

Abstract: A flexible spending account system can be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention so as to automatically substantiate purchases made at a retailer merchant. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of authorizing products for purchase can be implemented by determining via a computer that a product requested for purchase at a point of sale by a consumer matches a qualified product category under the flexible spending account, sending an authorization request message for requesting use of said flexible spending account of said consumer, wherein said authorization request message comprises a total purchase amount field and a first qualified amount field for a first type of qualified items.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing a status for one or more rewards using a format in a plurality of display formats. Portable device information associated with a portable device and acceptance point device information associated with an acceptance point device are determined. A status for one or more rewards is determined based on the portable device information and the acceptance point device information. A display format is then determined from a plurality of display formats based on the portable device information and acceptance point device information. A status is then displayed using the display format.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the redemption of gift cards are described. The method includes linking a gift card issued by a merchant to a user account, receiving a payment request from the user, processing the payment request so that the merchant is paid with funds in the account, receiving a transaction identifier from the merchant, identifying the merchant, verifying that the account is linked to a gift card issued by the merchant, retrieving a value of the gift card, transmitting the transaction identifier and a request to redeem the gift card, and receiving and depositing funds corresponding to a full or partial value of the gift card.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading money from a gift card into a digital wallet. The transfer can be done at a point of sale (POS), such as during a purchase of the gift card. The digital wallet can be a digital wallet of a user who is purchasing the gift card. The money in the digital wallet can be used to purchase products from the same merchant or another merchant. The money can be transferred from the digital wallet to any other person or entity.

Abstract: A system for providing distributed control to process transactions is disclosed, including a service provider system, a point of service device, and a portable device. The service provider system, point of service (POS) device, and portable device each have a plurality of rules and a number of meta-rules. The portable device is used with the POS device to conduct a transaction. If the portable device is unable to determine the outcome for the transaction, the portable device determines whether its rules may be altered locally to determine the outcome, or request the POS device to help determine the outcome. If the POS device is unable to determine the outcome, the POS device determines whether its rules can be altered locally in order to determine the outcome, or request the service provider system to help determine the outcome using the rules and meta-rules associated with the service provider system.

Abstract: A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward.

Abstract: A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward.

Abstract: A system for providing distributed control to process transactions is disclosed. The system includes a service provider system having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, a point of service device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, and a portable device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules. The portable device uses its associated rules to determine an outcome for a transaction. If the portable device is unable to determine the outcome for the transaction, the portable device uses its associated meta-rules to either determine whether one or more of its associated rules can be altered locally in order to determine the outcome or request the point of service device to help determine the outcome using the rules and meta-rules associated with the point of service device.