Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for automatically processing promotion redemptions are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to authorize payment for a transaction using a customer account. The request identifies the customer account and the transaction is associated with at least one purchased product. The method includes selecting a promotion for the transaction based on the customer account and one or more rules. The amount of the transaction is adjusted based on the selected promotion. The method also includes transmitting an authorization for the adjusted transaction to the merchant. The method may also include selecting a promotion that has been pre-purchased by the customer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for operating a payment processing system are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to determine a transaction capability of a merchant's transaction system. The request is received from a requester at a payment processing system. The method includes determining the requested transaction capability based on merchant data retrieved from a database of the payment processing system. The transaction capability of the merchant includes information indicating compatibility of the merchant's transaction system with one or more features of the payment processing system. The method further includes transmitting, using the payment processing system, the transaction capability to the requester in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for managing customer incentives in a payment processing system are provided. An exemplary method includes associating a customer identifier with a payment account of a customer in a database of the payment processing system. The method includes receiving activity information associated with an activity of the customer, identifying an incentive based on the received activity information and the customer identifier, and linking the incentive to the payment account in the database. In response to receiving a request to authorize a transaction using the payment account, the incentive is retrieved from the database and applied to the transaction if criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for managing financial information are provided. An exemplary method includes establishing a customer identifier associated with a customer and linking the customer identifier to one or more customer financial accounts in a database. The customer identifier is associated with the one or more customer financial accounts, but does not contain account numbers of the one or more customer financial accounts. The method also includes tracking purchasing behavior metrics associated with the customer financial accounts and reporting the purchasing behavior metrics using the customer identifier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for automatically processing promotion redemptions are provided. An exemplary method includes linking promotion information with an account of a customer in a database. The promotion information pertains to a promotion for a product or service offered by a merchant. The method includes receiving a request to provide payment for a transaction using the customer account. The request includes an amount of the transaction and an identifier of the customer account. The method further includes retrieving the promotion information from the database based on the identifier, verifying that the transaction is eligible for the promotion based on the retrieved promotion information, and adjusting the amount of the transaction based on the retrieved promotion information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for processing financial transactions are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request from a merchant to authorize payment for a transaction using a financial account of a customer. The request includes information about the transaction. The method further includes analyzing the transaction information based on a profile of the customer that is linked to the financial account and based on data pertaining to at least one other related transaction. Finally, the method includes generating a message about the transaction based on the analysis and transmitting the message to a recipient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, for providing chargeback protection services for the benefit of merchants are disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder.

Abstract: A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder. Transaction data including compressed signature signals and signals indicative of the presence of the card are transmitted to the host computer system of a transaction processor, who guarantees the transaction as chargeback-protected under certain circumstances.

Abstract: A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder. Transaction data including compressed signature signals and signals indicative of the presence of the card are transmitted to the host computer system of a transaction processor, who guarantees the transaction as chargeback-protected under certain circumstances.

Abstract: A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal is capable of requesting and receiving electronic authorization indicia via alternative communications links. The terminal includes first communications means for automatically connecting the terminal with a transaction processing host computer system via a first communications link, and second communications means for automatically connecting the terminal with the transaction processing host computer system via a separate second communications link if the first link fails. A third communications means automatically connects the terminal to an audio response unit (ARU) via a third communications link in response to a "call me" signal from the host computer system, or if the first and second communications links fail. Transaction data is automatically transmitted from the terminal to the ARU via DTMF signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, for providing chargeback protection services for the benefit of merchants are disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder.