Abstract: A system and method for preventing credit card fraud by comparing the location of a given transaction with the location of a predetermined communication device is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying a user of urgent phone messages is provided. When a telephone or text message is received by the phone answering system, a priority is determined for the message. If the telephone call is identified as an urgent telephone call, the system repeatedly dials the subscriber's phone in order to notify the user of the urgent message. In one embodiment, multiple locations, such as pagers, email addresses, and alternate phone numbers are contacted in order to inform the user of the urgent message. When the user is contacted, the urgent messages are played for the user. In a mobile telephone system environment, determinations are made as to whether the user is operating in roam mode before messages are delivered. A caller id function can further be included to selectively allow messages to be identified as urgent based upon the identification of the caller.

Abstract: A system, method, and program of the invention enables a separating region to be displayed adjacent to at least one side of a problem menu choice within a menu list in a user interface. The problem menu choice may be any menu choice that has the potential for causing undesirable effects if it is inadvertently selected by a user, such as by overshooting a desired menu choice with a displayed pointer. The separating region creates a non-selectable area that buffers the problem menu choices from the other menu choices. The user is notified if the user moves the displayed pointer into the separating region. The notification may include any one or more of the following: i) changing the rate of movement of the displayed pointer, ii) causing the displayed pointer to change in appearance, and iii) causing an audible sound. The separating region may be partitioned into zones wherein certain characteristics of the notification is dependent upon the zone location of the displayed pointer.

Abstract: A method of obtaining, recording and using the denomination and the serial number of bills received into cash registers from purchasers, and using computer automation to dispense other bills from the cash registers to make change. Enhanced accounting, security and efficiency for cash transactions is provided by electronically associating bills with information describing the purchases and, optionally, transmitting electronically this information to the purchaser. Optical character recognition is used to identify the denomination and serial number of each bill. Optionally, a cashier may enter a duress code into the register to initiate a silent alarm signal, identify the serial numbers of each bill dispensed under duress, or mark an invisible ink onto each bill dispensed under duress. The method also enables determining whether each bill received is counterfeit or stolen.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for adjusting an amount owed for fueling based on vehicle characteristics are provided. Vehicle characteristics of a vehicle to be fueled utilizing the fuel pump are wirelessly read. A database is accessed to determine a vehicle status based on the read vehicle characteristics. A payment owed amount is adjusted for fueling the vehicle based on the vehicle status.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for adjusting energy efficiency incentives according to current energy efficiency technology are provided. Records of active energy efficiency incentives are maintained, wherein each of the records is maintained in association with a particular product. In response to a change of a standing of one of the products in relation to current energy efficiency technology, an associated active energy efficiency incentive is adjusted, such that purchase of the current energy efficiency technology is promoted.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for enabling transfer of energy incentives between entities are provided. At least one client requests energy incentives from at least one authority server. The at least one authority server determines a payment amount for an energy incentive based on energy efficiencies achieved by the at least one client. The authority server then transfers the energy incentive with reference to a payment mechanism for the energy incentive to the at least one client. Advantageously, a single energy incentive may be distributed among multiple qualifying users where applicable.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing incentives for the purchase of efficient vehicles are provided. A vehicle purchase record is received, wherein the vehicle purchase record identifies a type of vehicle and a buyer. A particular incentive is automatically selected according to an efficiency of the type of vehicle. The incentive is transferred as an electronic payment for the buyer, such that the buyer is provided with the incentive for a purchase of an efficient vehicle.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.

Abstract: Administration of credit account transaction authority including receiving a request for authorization for a credit transaction against a credit account for purchase of at least one item available for purchase through credit transactions, wherein the item available for purchase has a content rating, and wherein the credit account has a content rating, an account owner, and at least one authorized account user; comparing the content rating of the item requested for purchase and the content rating of the credit account, wherein the comparing produces a determination whether the content rating of the item requested for purchase matches the content rating of the credit account; and authorizing the requested transaction when the content rating of the item requested for purchase matches the content rating of the credit account.

Abstract: Communication of location specific content to client devices including identifying a client device at a location of a location specific device, wherein the client device comprises client device attributes, the client device attributes comprising a client device identification code, and wherein the location specific device comprises a location identification code; recording user preferences for the client device; selecting, in dependence upon the user preferences for the client device and upon the location identification code, content for transmission to the client device; transmitting the selected content through the location specific device to the client device for presentation; and enabling retention of the content within the client device for a period of time.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for specifying a party to be billed for the entirety of mobile telephone airtime and other charges in a telephone conversation is disclosed. Either the caller or a called party may accept all airtime and/or other charges. In addition, the parties need not operate a mobile telephone, but may use a conventional “wire” telephone.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and data processing system for accepting Internet access charges for a user examining a particular website is disclosed. The present invention enables businesses, organizations, and individuals to entice users that must pay for Internet access time to browse their websites freely without concern for cost.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for allowing a third party to assume a mobile telephone user's airtime and other charges when the mobile telephone user enters a particular geographic area, such as the third party's property is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and data processing system for providing telephone call minutes as an incentive for participating in commercial transactions is disclosed. An amount of telephone minutes commensurate with a transaction (e.g., a number of minutes per dollar spent at a store) is crediting to a user's pre-paid telephone account in response to entering into a commercial transaction with an organization offering the incentive.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for transferring mobile telephone minutes or other mobile telephone services or features from one customer to another is disclosed. A customer dials into an interactive service that allows the customer to specify one or more recipients and a number of minutes, services, or features to transfer. A data processing system associated with the customer's mobile telephone service provider effects a transfer of minutes, services, or features from the customer's account to the recipients' accounts. In addition, a notification that the transfer has occurred can be sent to the recipients.

Abstract: Online shopping including purchasing an electronic item from a merchant web site, wherein the purchasing is carried out by use of a client shopping cart, wherein the client shopping cart further comprises a merchandise pickup facility installed on a client, wherein the client is coupled for data communications to the merchant web site; downloading, to the client, the electronic item through the merchandise pickup facility to the client; and installing the electronic item through the merchandise pickup facility on the client.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging mobile, or wireless, telephone service with existing wired telephone equipment in a facility, such as a home or business, are provided. With the apparatus and method, a converter is associated with the facility such that a wireless telephone number is associated with the converter. Telephone calls may be made to the facility via a wireless telephone network and the converter. The converter receives calls from the wireless telephone network directed to the converter, converts the format of the wireless telephone call to a wired telephone call format, and routes these calls to one or more wired telephone units in the facility. Calls originating from the wired telephone units in the facility are received by the converter which converts the call signals to an appropriate format for wireless network routing, and forwards the call to the wireless network.

Abstract: A method, program, and system for processing electronic receipts within a computer network are provided. The present invention comprises creating a customer profile for a user using a Smart Receipt application. When the user purchases items, electronic receipts (smart receipts) are sent from the point of sale to a designated database. The database may be on a credit card company server, the product manufacturer's server, a special cash receipts server, or a central clearing house server. When the customer wants a copy of a receipt, he or she enters search parameters which specify the desired receipt. The search parameters may include item type, date of purchase, and method of purchase. A Smart Receipt object is then initiated, which retrieves the specified electronic receipt from the appropriate database, according to the search parameters. A copy of the retrieved electronic receipt is then downloaded to a client machine (e.g. PDA, PC) designated by the customer profile.

Abstract: A mobile or desktop computer having a system bus that is exposed externally using a wireless transceiver so that input and output devices within proximity of the computer can be configured for immediate use. The wireless system bus of the invention provides discovery and acceptance of wireless peripheral devices within the range of the wireless transmissions. Serial or parallel communication can be supported on the same or different frequency channels. Preferably, the invention utilizes a dedicated discovery frequency for detecting the presence of peripherals in the proximity. Commands and data can be exchanged between the computer and the peripheral device in a secured manner.