Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing material. The dispensing device comprises a dispensing head; a capsule magazine including at least one void; at least one material capsule, wherein the at least one material capsule is disposed within the at least one void in the material capsule magazine; a motor, operable to provide mechanical power for material dispensing operations, wherein the motor is disposed within the dispensing head; and a gear mechanically connected to the motor, wherein the gear is further disposed in connection with the at least one material capsule, such that operation of the motor causes rotation of the gear and, in turn rotation of the at least one material capsule.

Abstract: A system and method for designing food and beverage flavor experiences are provided. The method includes analyzing collected user experience data and collected flavor profile and recipe data; determining flavoring information and flavoring adjustments based on the analysis; and synchronizing the determined flavoring information and flavoring adjustments.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing material. The dispensing device comprises a dispensing head; a capsule magazine including at least one void; at least one material capsule, wherein the at least one material capsule is disposed within the at least one void in the material capsule magazine; a motor, operable to provide mechanical power for material dispensing operations, wherein the motor is disposed within the dispensing head; and a gear mechanically connected to the motor, wherein the gear is further disposed in connection with the at least one material capsule, such that operation of the motor causes rotation of the gear and, in turn rotation of the at least one material capsule.

Abstract: A method of providing a consumer with different transaction terms offers for performing a potential financial transaction. The method comprises identifying a potential financial transaction between a retailer and a consumer, identifying a plurality of payment methods which are available to the consumer for performing the potential financial transaction, acquiring a plurality of transaction terms offers for performing the potential financial transaction each using another of the plurality of payment methods, and outputting respective the plurality of transaction terms offers for presentation to the consumer.

Abstract: A method for determining a fraud score associated with a monetary transaction facilitated using a payment card in a store is disclosed. The method comprises receiving data representative of an incoming payment transaction; analyzing a location of an owner of the payment card and a location of the store for determining a location rating; analyzing a location behavior profile (LBP) related to the payment card for determining a behavior rating, wherein the analysis is based in part on the incoming payment transaction; computing a transaction rating using the location rating and the behavior rating in combination with a first weight factor; analyzing historical payment transactions related to the payment card for determining a card rating; and computing the fraud-score using the transaction rating and the card rating in combination with a second weight factor.

Abstract: An improved location based authentication (LBA) system for detecting fraudulent transactions committed by means of misuse of payment cards is disclosed. The improved LBA system performs a series of transaction analysis and generates a fraud-score which provides an indication as whether to authorize an attempted transaction. The system is designed to increase profitability of credit card companies by reducing the accumulated losses due to fraud. In one embodiment, the system detects fraud by analyzing the behavior patterns of card holders and merchants.

Abstract: An improved location based authentication (LBA) system for detecting fraudulent transactions committed by means of misuse of payment cards is disclosed. The improved LBA system performs a series of transaction analysis and generates a fraud-score which provides an indication as whether to authorize an attempted transaction. The system is designed to increase profitability of credit card companies by reducing the accumulated losses due to fraud. In one embodiment, the system detects fraud by analyzing the behavior patterns of card holders and merchants.