Abstract: A gateway encryption service is used to ensure consistent, source independent tokenization for payment accounts and synchronizing payment account information with merchants. A consistent, evergreen merchant-facing token is generated and used for each payment account for the merchant, ensuring that regardless of the payment method used by the customer (e.g., plastic card point-of-sale, pay wallet, saved card information) for the same underlying account, the merchant has a single token. Further, if the account number for the underlying payment account changes (e.g., the card expires or is stolen) the merchant-facing token remains consistent. The evergreen token ensures that the system functions more efficiently, saving resources in processing and storage and ensuring less network traffic for failed transactions. The system further implements encryption and security despite the consistent tokenization, further saving resources.

Abstract: A gateway encryption service is used to ensure consistent, source independent tokenization for payment accounts and synchronizing payment account information with merchants. A consistent, evergreen merchant-facing token is generated and used for each payment account for the merchant, ensuring that regardless of the payment method used by the customer (e.g., plastic card point-of-sale, pay wallet, saved card information) for the same underlying account, the merchant has a single token. Further, if the account number for the underlying payment account changes (e.g., the card expires or is stolen) the merchant-facing token remains consistent. The evergreen token ensures that the system functions more efficiently, saving resources in processing and storage and ensuring less network traffic for failed transactions. The system further implements encryption and security despite the consistent tokenization, further saving resources.

Abstract: A gateway encryption service is used to ensure consistent, source independent tokenization for payment accounts and synchronizing payment account information with merchants. A consistent, evergreen merchant-facing token is generated and used for each payment account for the merchant, ensuring that regardless of the payment method used by the customer (e.g., plastic card point-of-sale, pay wallet, saved card information) for the same underlying account, the merchant has a single token. Further, if the account number for the underlying payment account changes (e.g., the card expires or is stolen) the merchant-facing token remains consistent. The evergreen token ensures that the system functions more efficiently, saving resources in processing and storage and ensuring less network traffic for failed transactions. The system further implements encryption and security despite the consistent tokenization, further saving resources.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

Abstract: Methods and systems coordinate an Internet-based financial transaction between an Internet merchant and a customer. A first information packet is received with a payment network from the Internet merchant. The first information packet has a credential assigned to the customer and transaction information specifying at least a cost of the Internet-based financial transaction. With the payment network, account information is determined that identifies a financial account maintained by the customer at a financial institution and authorization information that allows debit access to the identified financial account. A second information packet that includes the transaction information, the account information, and the authorization information is generated with the payment network.

Abstract: A method of providing a postcard presentation instrument for use in a transaction includes applying an information storage medium to a postcard to create a postcard presentation instrument, delivering the postcard presentation instrument to a destination via a distribution system, and settling a transaction involving the postcard presentation instrument. A system for providing a postcard presentation instrument for use in a transaction includes a processing system for applying an information storage medium to a postcard to create a postcard presentation instrument, and a host computer system that receives a request to activate the postcard presentation instrument.

Abstract: A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer includes receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers. The group includes the customer. The method also includes preparing the mailing. The mailing includes the gift card and the gift card is inactive. The method further includes sending the mailing to the customer and receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card. The request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of value to be assigned to the gift card. The method further includes settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the gift card. The recipient and the customer are different.

Abstract: A method for reducing the loss of magnesium during the sintering of aluminum oxide articles, such as ceramic discharge vessels for lighting applications. Magnesium oxide is added to aluminum oxide articles to control grain growth during sintering, but the sintering causes magnesium loss from the article. In order to address this problem, one or more aluminum oxide articles that are enriched in magnesium oxide are added to the sintering furnace to stem the loss of magnesium oxide in the remaining articles. The enriched aluminum oxide article is made by soaking a porous aluminum oxide article in an aqueous solution of magnesium nitrate and heating the porous article to convert the magnesium nitrate to magnesium oxide. The enriched articles may then be added in one or several locations to the sintering furnace, where the magnesium from the enriched articles is released to suppress the magnesium loss.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction between a first party and a second party. Information defining terms of the transaction and identifying a presentation instrument are received at a host system. Preference information associated with the presentation instrument is retrieved with the host system. The preference information specifies terms for an allocation of transaction amounts among multiple transaction types. An amount for the transaction is allocated among the transaction types in accordance with terms of the transaction and the terms for the allocation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enrolling a customer with a payment network. Customer-identification information identifying the customer, financial-account information identifying a financial account to be used in supporting transactions over the payment network, and presentation-instrument information identifying a presentation instrument currently incapable of supporting a transaction with the financial account are received at a host system. A customer account associated with the customer-identification information is established with the host system. With the host system, the financial-account information and the presentation-instrument information are linked with the customer account to permit the customer thereafter to execute transactions supported by the financial account with the payment instrument.