Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for monitoring and corrupting a data stream, includes a data stream transmitting device having a barcode scanner that transmits a stream of data corresponding to a scanned barcode; a data stream receiver device having a barcode processing system that receives the stream; and a monitoring and corrupting device coupled therebetween having a database storing rules for detecting and corrupting patterns of data in the stream, and which monitors the stream, and based on the rules determines if the stream is unwanted, and if so corrupts the stream and transmits the corrupted stream to the barcode processing system so that the barcode data stream cannot be correctly received by the data stream receiver device. Otherwise, if the stream of data is wanted, the stream of data is allowed to be correctly received by the data stream receiver device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for monitoring and corrupting a data stream, includes a data stream transmitting device having a barcode scanner that transmits a stream of data corresponding to a scanned barcode; a data stream receiver device having a barcode processing system that receives the stream; and a monitoring and corrupting device coupled therebetween having a database storing rules for detecting and corrupting patterns of data in the stream, and which monitors the stream, and based on the rules determines if the stream is unwanted, and if so corrupts the stream and transmits the corrupted stream to the barcode processing system so that the barcode data stream cannot be correctly received by the data stream receiver device. Otherwise, if the stream of data is wanted, the stream of data is allowed to be correctly received by the data stream receiver device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for using and detecting a signaling Universal Product Code (UPC), including a discount or marketing system; a UPC sniffer or injector; and a signal UPC configured to represent an end of a Point of Sale (POS) transaction. The UPC sniffer or injector configured to receive UPCs scanned from a POS UPC scanner and transmit the received UPCs to the discount or marketing system; the discount or marketing system configured to receive the UPCs from the UPC sniffer or injector, and to recognize the UPC as the signal UPC representing the end of the transaction, and issuing pending UPC injections; and the UPC sniffer or injector configured to receive UPC injections and to send the UPC injections to a POS system for inclusion in the transaction.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for promotions processing, including a point-of-sale (POS) device having a barcode scanner interface device; a user device having a wireless communications interface device; and a barcode inserter device having a wireless communications interface device. The barcode inserter device is configured to receive via the communications interface device of the barcode inserter device a barcode transmitted from the user device via the communications interface of the user device. The barcode inserter device is configured insert the received barcode into a transaction at the POS device via the barcode scanner interface device of the POS device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing promotions, including a universal product code (UPC) injection sub-system coupled between a UPC reader device and a point-of-sale (POS) device. The universal product code (UPC) injection sub-system including an interface device coupled between the UPC reader device and the POS device and incorporating an OR function to prevent disruption of an existing data stream between the POS device and the UPC reader device; and a controller device coupled to the interface device. The controller device via the interface device is configured to detect a UPC transmitted between the UPC reader and the POS device, block a UPC transmitted between the UPC reader and the POS device, and inject a UPC into the POS device. The POS device performs a POS function based on a received UPC from the controller device.

Abstract: A user identifies themselves to an information display device using, for example, an identification-carrying device that contains a unique identification code. The identification code is associated with a particular profile that identifies, for example, customer loyalty, preference and history data that may be associated with a particular user. An identification sensor senses the identification code on the identification-carrying device. The identification code is then forwarded to an information server. The information server uses the identification code, and possibly additional information such as an identification of the information display device, to access loyalty and preference data associated with the identification code. This information can include, for example, coupons that have been issued to the user associated with the identification code, a user's preferences, a user's purchase history, or the like.

Abstract: Using a combination of a device identifier and a reader identifier, a loyalty system is able to determine one or more loyalty applications a user is subscribed to. Additionally, by using a formulary based reward system, multiple tiers of rewards can be issued based on different categories of product or service purchased.

Abstract: A loyalty system is retrofit into an existing retail or purchase transaction system such that the system is inserted between a reading device and the reading device's associated original controlling hardware. The loyalty system is then capable of receiving information read by the reader and, for example, passively reading the data as if it is being transferred from the reader to the reader's controller or, actively reading the data and then determining if all, a portion, or derivative of that data should be transferred to the existing retail system. For example, this basic technology can be used to allow the loyalty system to accept, for example, information from an RFID tag and submit magstripe data to a magstripe controller as if the magstripe reader had originally read the magstripe data.

Abstract: Through the use of a tag that stores information including transaction information, loyalty reward information and trigger information, a loyalty system can avoid the necessity of contacting a central server to determine loyalty rewards. Furthermore, the tag can act as an electronic storehouse maintaining transaction information to facilitate, for example, record keeping, returns, saving paper, protecting privacy, and the like.

Abstract: A user identifies themselves to an information display device using, for example, an identification-carrying device that contains a unique identification code. The identification code is associated with a particular profile that identifies, for example, customer loyalty, preference and history data that may be associated with a particular user. An identification sensor senses the identification code on the identification-carrying device. The identification code is then forwarded to an information server. The information server uses the identification code, and possibly additional information such as an identification of the information display device, to access loyalty and preference data associated with the identification code. This information can include, for example, coupons that have been issued to the user associated with the identification code, a user's preferences, a user's purchase history, or the like.

Abstract: A network management system remotely manages a fuel dispensing network comprising a plurality of refueling stations each including several fuel dispensing assemblies. The network management functions include reconfiguring the fuel dispensing equipment, downloading software updates, monitoring the status and performance of the fuel dispensing equipment, performing diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures, and scheduling maintenance calls and other servicing activity in response to the diagnostic evaluations. The management application performs its various network management functions in conjunction with a plurality of dedicated software agents each resident at a respective refueling station.