Abstract: An optical system such as an imaging system, projecting system or combined imaging and projecting system, has complex dielectric coatings and/or reflecting polarizers to separate multiple spectral bands and/or polarizations on one or more of the system's curved mirrors.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating a secure transaction between a first mobile computing device associated with a driver and a second mobile computing device associated with a passenger are discussed herein. The techniques may include registering an association between a first application executing on the first mobile computing device and a second application executing on the second mobile computing device. The second application may display information indicating an amount of fare for a ride offered by the driver to the passenger. Upon receiving input from the passenger to authorize processing of a payment transaction, the second application may send a request to process the payment transaction using card information. In some examples, the payment transaction is authorized without providing the first application with access to card information.

Abstract: Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods related to payroll processing. An employee can designate a customized payroll pay period, and each employee can designate a different payroll pay period. For example, the employee can designate to receive payroll payments on any frequency supported by the employer, including receiving a daily payroll payment on each day that the employee works. The employee's employer can make payroll payments according to the employee's designation. Further, when the employer is a merchant that makes sales each day using, for example, a point of sale system, the employer can electronically pay the employee using funds from the day's sales. For example, the employee can work on a selected day, and can receive an electronic payroll payment at the end of the shift. The employee can immediately use the just received electronic payment funds to purchase a good from a second merchant.

Abstract: An assembly disposed within a subterranean wellbore can include a first dislodging tool coupled to a bottom end of a tubing string, wherein the first dislodging tool, when enabled at a first time, performs a first action to free at least one service tool, disposed below the first dislodging tool in the subterranean wellbore, from being stuck.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a heterogeneous mass comprising one or more enrobeable elements and one or more discrete open cell foam pieces wherein at least one of the discrete open cell foam pieces comprises a first vacuole and a second vacuole wherein the first vacuole has a first cross sectional area, wherein the second vacuole has a second cross sectional area, wherein the first vacuole enrobes a first enrobeable element, wherein the second vacuole enrobes a second enrobeable element, wherein the first enrobeable element and the second enrobeable element exhibit different surface properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for utilizing distributed reinforcement learning and consensus control to most effectively generate and utilize energy. In some embodiments, individual turbines within a wind farm may communicate to reach a consensus as to the desired yaw angle based on the wind conditions.

Abstract: A Wireless Slide Fence utilizing signal reflection technology to detect rockslides and can determine the size and location of fallen rocks/objects impeding travel along a train track is presented. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of determining rock size and location to validate rockslide/fall alarms to reduce false alarms, while minimizing repairs required by conventional systems through the use of obstacle detection units and vital logic controllers. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system by, generating validated alarms when fallen rocks/objects satisfy the size criteria and are located in an area hazardous to train operations. In one exemplary embodiment, a loitering time can be implemented to validate object detections to reduce false positives due to transient objects such as migrating animals.

Abstract: A technique for providing a pay-by-name payment experience is disclosed. A point-of-sale (POS) system at a store receives information identifying an account with a central server from a payment card using a short-range wireless technology. In response to that, it obtains information regarding the account, including a person's name associated with the account, using the received information. It also accepts a name from a specific consumer in the vicinity. At this point, it determines whether the name accepted from the specific consumer and the name associated with the account are identical. If it determines that the two names are identical, it checks-in the consumer to the store.

Abstract: An automated online payment system may be used to process purchase payments between a buyer and a seller. When a payment is requested, the payment system may determine whether the corresponding purchase satisfies a purchase criterion, and if so, may defer certain aspects of settling the payment. For example, the payment service may determine the risk of deferred settlement and the likelihood that the buyer will make a subsequent purchase from the seller within a relatively short time period. If there is a low risk and high likelihood of a future purchase, the payment service may authorize the payment, but may defer capture of the payment until the buyer makes the subsequent purchase.

Abstract: Introduced is a technology for facilitating a referral between a referrer and a referee, including the generation of the referral and the tracking of the referral redemption by the referee. The technology enables a customer to send a referral about a merchant to a friend by simply providing contact information associated with that friend (e.g., email address, telephone number, etc.), and further enables the friend to redeem a promotional offer included in the referral upon a use of the friend's payment card at the merchant's point-of-sale (POS) system, without having to provide any further information. In some instances, a transfer of a referral reward (e.g., points, discount, payment, etc.) is also transferred to the referrer in response to the redemption by the referee.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for changing a financial account after initiating a payment using a proxy object, such as a proxy card, are disclosed. The proxy card is associated with multiple financial accounts, such as accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, and pre-paid gift cards. A consumer presents the proxy card to a merchant to make a payment, and the merchant swipes the proxy card and processes the payment by sending transaction information to a financial system. A computer system associated with the financial system selects a payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the payment, and an authorization for the transaction is obtained. Later, the consumer is given a limited time within which he may change the financial account used for the payment, such as by using his mobile device to select a different account associated with the proxy card to use to obtain funds for the payment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for applying rewards points associated with a payment card is disclosed. A computer system stores information associated with a person's payment card, such as a credit or debit card, including information indicative of rewards points associated with the card. The computer system then receives from a remote device a first message indicative of a transaction between the person and another entity. The transaction includes a payment of a specified amount from the person to the other entity. In some embodiments the transaction has already been completed, and the computer system causes rewards points to be applied to it post-transaction. In other embodiments the transaction has not yet been executed and may be a requested cash transfer. The computer system determines how many rewards points correspond to the specified amount and causes the rewards points to be used for at least a portion of the transaction amount.

Abstract: Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods related to payroll processing. An employee can designate a customized payroll pay period, and each employee can designate a different payroll pay period. For example, the employee can designate to receive payroll payments on any frequency supported by the employer, including receiving a daily payroll payment on each day that the employee works. The employee's employer can make payroll payments according to the employee's designation. Further, when the employer is a merchant that makes sales each day using, for example, a point of sale system, the employer can electronically pay the employee using funds from the day's sales. For example, the employee can work on a selected day, and can receive an electronic payroll payment at the end of the shift. The employee can immediately use the just received electronic payment funds to purchase a good from a second merchant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology for collecting item-level transaction information for interactive payment experience. According to one embodiment, a merchant server can maintain a database including the information of financial accounts having a particular classification. The classification indicates that these financial accounts are associated with a payment service system. When the merchant server determines a requested financial transaction involves a financial account classified in the database, the merchant server transmits the item-level transaction information to the payment service system. The payment service system receives the item-level transaction information in real-time or near real-time and generates an interactive digital transaction receipt for a consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for applying rewards points associated with a payment card is disclosed. A computer system stores information associated with a person's payment card, such as a credit or debit card, including information indicative of rewards points associated with the card. The computer system then receives from a remote device a first message indicative of a transaction between the person and another entity. The transaction includes a payment of a specified amount from the person to the other entity. In some embodiments the transaction has already been completed, and the computer system causes rewards points to be applied to it post-transaction. In other embodiments the transaction has not yet been executed and may be a requested cash transfer. The computer system determines how many rewards points correspond to the specified amount and causes the rewards points to be used for at least a portion of the transaction amount.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology for collecting item-level transaction information for interactive payment experience. According to one embodiment, a merchant server can maintain a database including the information of financial accounts having a particular classification. The classification indicates that these financial accounts are associated with a payment service system. When the merchant server determines a requested financial transaction involves a financial account classified in the database, the merchant server transmits the item-level transaction information to the payment service system. The payment service system receives the item-level transaction information in real-time or near real-time and generates an interactive digital transaction receipt for a consumer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for changing a financial account after initiating a payment using a proxy object, such as a proxy card, are disclosed. The proxy card is associated with multiple financial accounts, such as accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, and pre-paid gift cards. A consumer presents the proxy card to a merchant to make a payment, and the merchant swipes the proxy card and processes the payment by sending transaction information to a financial system. A computer system associated with the financial system selects a payment account associated with the proxy card to use for the payment, and an authorization for the transaction is obtained. Later, the consumer is given a limited time within which he may change the financial account used for the payment, such as by using his mobile device to select a different account associated with the proxy card to use to obtain funds for the payment.

Abstract: Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods related to payroll processing. An employee can designate a customized payroll pay period, and each employee can designate a different payroll pay period. For example, the employee can designate to receive payroll payments on any frequency supported by the employer, including receiving a daily payroll payment on each day that the employee works. The employee's employer can make payroll payments according to the employee's designation. Further, when the employer is a merchant that makes sales each day using, for example, a point of sale system, the employer can electronically pay the employee using funds from the day's sales. For example, the employee can work on a selected day, and can receive an electronic payroll payment at the end of the shift. The employee can immediately use the just received electronic payment funds to purchase a good from a second merchant.

Abstract: A technique for a proxy card to emulate each of a plurality of payment cards according to emulation rules associated with the payment card. The proxy card initially selects one of the plurality of payment cards for emulation based on one or more selection rules or a user instruction. Next, the proxy card emulates the selected payment card according to one or more emulation rule associated with the selected payment card, each relating to how emulation is performed with respect to time, location, business, or other factors.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology includes a system, method, and computer program product are provided for collection of consumer eyewear preference trending, consumer statistics, competitive eyewear purchasing comparison, consumer fashion personality, social feedback on eyewear, and consumer personal attributes related to eyewear purchasing.