Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating an account with a proxy card based on a photo are disclosed. The proxy card can be associated with account data from multiple other cards, such as account data from a driver's license and from various payment cards, such as a credit card, a debit card, and a pre-paid gift card. In some embodiments, a card-holder can associate an additional card with the proxy card by taking a photo of the face of the additional card using a mobile device. The mobile device analyzes the photo to obtain text representing account information that appears in the photo of the additional card. The mobile device associates the additional card with the proxy card by causing updating of stored association information, that represents an association between the card and the account data of the multiple cards, with the account information.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a camera; and a processing circuitry configured to: capture an image of a scanning device by using the camera; and output a first scannable item based on the captured image of the scanning device.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for providing compensation for using a mobile payment service. The method may commence with receiving payment information associated with a user. The method may include generating a unique code encoding the payment information and providing the generated unique code to the user. The method may continue with receiving a deposit amount associated with a purchase related to the user. The purchase may be made via the mobile payment service. The method may further include receiving a notification about a further purchase of the user via the mobile payment service. The notification may include at least the unique code and a product barcode. The product barcode may be associated with the further purchase. The method may further include providing a compensation from the deposit amount to the user. The compensation may be associated with a payment amount associated with the further purchase.

Abstract: Retrofitted vending systems including a card reader and a vending machine in communication with the card reader are disclosed. The systems may include a spacer positioned between the card reader and the vending machine that is adapted for mounting the card reader to the vending machine. Wireless communication device are also disclosed. The wireless communication devices may be electronically coupled to the vending machine and may include a bracket configured for attachment in the spacer and a wireless communication board fastened to the bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enabling card as well as a system and method for completing a financial transaction in a P.O.S. terminal comprising: a processor carried by the enabling card for establishing a connection with a mobile device; receiving secure information from a mobile device and generating a digital signal; a coil carried by the enabling card for generating a magnetic field in response to the digital signal to simulate the swipe of card in the P.O.S. terminal and complete the financial transaction.

Abstract: A method of paying a second party is provided. A first party accesses the names of one or more qualified second parties. The qualified second parties are second parties that, (i) have an association with the payment service, and (ii) second parties that if they do not have an established association with the payment service then they have established one prior to payment. The first party has an association with the payment service. A tab is opened by the first party that can be selected by the qualified second party at any geographic location of a first party's mobile device. The qualified second party is only able to charge a first party's financial account when the first party's mobile device is within a defined geographic area. The tab is a relationship between the first party, the payment service and the qualified second party, The qualified second party can engage in a financial transaction with the first party is within the defined geographic area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing and funding an emergency prepaid card. According to one aspect, a request for emergency funds is received by a payment network from a customer and a first session between the payment network and a financial institution is established. A debit order for a first account is submitted, a transaction to fund a second account is authorized, an issue code is generated, and the issue code is provided to the customer. A second session is established between the payment network, a merchant, and a gift card activator, wherein the issue code and an emergency prepaid card number are provided to the gift card activator, the second account is funded and associated with the card number, and the card number is activated. According to another aspect, the card number is associated with a credit balance from the gift card activator rather than the second account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the deployment of financial instruments and other assets are disclosed. In one embodiment, a security software protocol is disclosed that guarantees that the asset is always securely encrypted, that one and only one copy of an asset exists, and the asset is delivered to an authenticated and/or authorized customer. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of provisioning systems are disclosed that are capable of, among other things, handling large bursts of traffic (such as can occur on a so-called “launch day” of a device).

Abstract: A system and method that keeps check of financial transactions by maintaining distinct records for a plurality of devices associated with a financial account, in conjunction with performing authentication further to inputting transaction data from a point of sale, the system comprising a communication portion that inputs transaction data received from the point of sale, the transaction data including an account number and one of a CVV number and an expiration date; a device identification portion that identifies a particular device, from which the transaction originated, out of the plurality of devices based on the account number and one of the CVV number and the expiration date; and an authentication portion that performs authentication processing based on a comparison process that utilizes the transaction data, the authentication portion generating an authentication result, and the authentication portion outputting the authentication result.

Abstract: The invention provides Users of Retail Payment and Identification instruments with the ability to review transaction details and approve transaction by capturing UVM in User controlled environment and Issuers of these instruments with the ability to positively authenticate Users in Issuer controlled environment. The invention accounts for real time legacy or non-legacy processing systems to provide an authorization request from POA to Issuer Host. The invention introduces two UPAAS components—User Gateway and User Application. The UPAAS User Gateway is implemented in an Issuer controlled environment enabling interface between Issuer legacy Host and UPAAS User Applications. The UPAAS User Application can be implemented on any device supporting communication protocol such as TCP/IP without any hardware changes enabling the User to login to UPAAS User Gateway, review and approve or decline a specific transaction in real time by entering UVM, such as PIN, for User authentication purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for identifying touch events performed on a mobile device within a secure environment. The technique can involve diverting coordinates for certain touch events to a secure environment in a payment application, for example, by modifying an import address table (e.g., implementing a “hook”) that is accessed by an event loop of the mobile device. Generally, only those touch events that are performed within the bounds of a user interface area are diverted to the secure environment, and all touch events outside that area continue to be identified using the operating system libraries of the mobile device. A checksum may be generated for the import address table using a cryptographic hash function. The checksum allows the payment application or a payment processing system to determine whether an unauthorized modification of the import address table is present.

Abstract: A merchant and a user register with a payment processing system, which establishes a facial template based on a user image. The user signs into a payment application via a user computing device, which receives an identifier from a merchant beacon device to transmit to the payment processing system. The payment processing system transmits facial templates to the merchant camera device for other users who are also signed in to the payment application in range of the merchant beacon device. The merchant camera device compares a captured facial image against the received facial templates to identify the user. A merchant POS device operator selects an account of the user. The merchant POS device transmits transaction details to the payment processing system, which processes the transaction with an issuer system. The payment processing system receives an approval of the transaction authorization request and transmits a receipt to the merchant POS device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices that involve biometrically secured networked devices with enhanced privacy protection are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method for onboarding a first biometrically secured device to a network is disclosed. The method comprises generating an asymmetric key pair, transmitting the public key to a second device, and receiving an encrypted master encryption key from the second device. The master key is encrypted with the public key. The method also comprises decrypting the encrypted master encryption key using the private key and receiving an encrypted set of biometric data. The encrypted set of biometric data is a set of biometric data that is encrypted with the master encryption key. The method also comprises storing the set of biometric data on a memory of the first device. The set of biometric data uniquely identifies at least two users that are registered to use both the first and second devices.

Abstract: A fact generation engine generates facts in response to fact requests submitted by clients. The fact generation engine also predictively generates additional facts prior to receiving a request for the additional facts from a client. The fact generation engine might determine whether to predictively generate additional facts based upon a determined probability that a client will request the additional facts. The estimated cost of predictively generating additional facts might also be utilized to determine whether to predictively generate the facts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing a system for a peer-to-peer transfer of funds for a specified purpose. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive information from a user relating to a peer-to-peer transfer of funds, wherein the information comprises a recipient and a specified use; identify at least one recipient account for the recipient; receive information associated with a transaction; determine the transaction qualifies for the specified use; and apply funds associated with the peer-to-peer transfer to the transaction. The specified purpose may be use at a specific merchant, use to purchase a specific product, or other types of specified uses. Computer program products and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genuine product certification system, including: a genuine product certification means, including: an optical material; additional information; and patterns for genuine product certification; a user terminal adapted to perform genuine product certification using the genuine product certification means; a service server including information about the patterns, the spectrum of the optical material, and the additional information as existing data, and adapted to perform genuine product certification using a result of performing genuine product certification using the user terminal and to generate statistical data concerning the occurrence of imitation products; and a manager terminal adapted to receive and output information about performance of the genuine product certification by the service server and the statistical data concerning the occurrence of imitation products transmitted from the service server.

Abstract: A digital signage network employs a common data model and a subscription system to disseminate data gathered from a plurality of data sources to a number of displays. The network nodes interact with each other as content sources, content consumers, or both, with some systems acting as consumers to upstream sources and acting as sources to downstream consumers. The presentation of the data on a digital signage display allows for real-time binding of live data to provide a rich display effect.

Abstract: A software system and a method for a Internet-based Content Billing and Protection System capable of both selling and delivering in Real Time Protected Content such as a live or archived on-demand Webcast on the Internet to a Client using dynamically generated Web pages and Encoded Links that cannot be Bookmarked, copied, displayed, exported or otherwise made public to the Client or a Subscriber by the Web Browsers, Players, Browser Plug-ins, or other Client Side programs. The invention operates on a Web Server while the Protected content can reside on any Content Server, including a Streaming media Webcast Server such as a Windows Media Services Webcast Server.

Abstract: A method for providing dynamically-assembled content targeted to a mobile service subscriber. The method comprises receiving, by a server computer, information about a mobile device that is connecting to the server computer; determining, by the server computer, a mobile service subscriber profile, based on the information; determining, by the server computer, a criteria for selecting content, based on the mobile service subscriber profile; dynamically assembling, by the server computer, content for the mobile service subscriber based on the criteria; providing the dynamically-assembled content to the mobile device; monitoring a response of the mobile service subscriber to receiving the content; and providing information of the response of the mobile service subscriber to a content provider.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for measuring influence of a user may identify what level of engagement the user drives to content when the user shares content with other users, such as via encoded links. A high influencer may be a user who drives a high level of engagement with content when the user shares content. A low influencer may be a user who does not drive a high level of engagement, or otherwise drives a low level of engagement with content when the user shares content.

Abstract: A system and method are described for engaging an audience in a conversational advertisement. A conversational advertising system converses with an audience using spoken words. The conversational advertising system uses a speech recognition application to convert an audience's spoken input into text and a text-to-speech application to transform text of a response to speech that is to be played to the audience. The conversational adverting system follows an advertisement script to guide the audience in a conversation.

Abstract: A method, system and graphical user interface for a messaging system is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the method includes receiving a first set of messages in a respective thread. Messages in the respective thread have been received from a plurality of users. The method also includes providing the first set of messages in the respective thread of messages; receiving a user input, associated with a message in the first set of messages in the respective thread of messages, requesting to forgo providing subsequent messages in the respective thread of messages; subsequent to receiving the user input, receiving a second set of messages in the respective thread; and, in accordance with the user input, forgoing providing the second set of messages in the respective thread of messages.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of analyzing and graphically representing the correlation of a plurality of transaction items, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving data associated with groups of the transaction items, correlating a plurality of groups of transaction items in a dimensionally reduced manner, creating a tree hierarchy which classifies the groups of transaction items in a hierarchy according to a defined user understandable factor, wherein the tree hierarchy is linked to the groups of transaction items, and graphically representing the correlated groups of transaction items and tree hierarchy to enable interaction between the correlated groups of transaction items and the linked tree hierarchy.

Abstract: A method determines a user demographic profile of a user that visits one or more websites of a predetermined group of websites. The method includes generating a first record of visits by the user to the websites of the predetermined group of websites. The method further includes providing one or more website profiles comprising demographic characteristics of each website visited by the user of the predetermined group of websites. The method further includes calculating an estimated user demographic profile of the user by using the first record of visits by the user and the one or more website profiles.

Abstract: A method of determining and optimizing the location of a new insurance agency is disclosed to increase market penetration of underrepresented markets. The method comprises the use of a scoring algorithm to rank various geographic regions or related zip codes. The scoring algorithm may be implemented by a location modeling system based on variables selected by a user. In addition, the various ranked geographic regions or related zip codes may be analyzed for proximity to natural or man made perils.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for providing auto-replenishment of an inventory of promotions. Auto-replenishment amounts and dates may be determined based on a variety of factors including current inventory, outstanding promotions, redemption ratios and redemption rates. Redemption ratios and redemption rates may be characterized based on provider information, consumer information, and/or promotion information. Auto-replenishment may result in a smoothed redemption curve and optimal impact to the provider.

Abstract: A client device detects a QR code (or NFC tag). The client device decodes the QR code. The client device determines that the data encoded within the QR code includes a URL. Based on the URL, the client device sends a first request to a first server identified by the URL. In response to the first request, the client device receives from the first server data configured to cause the client device to display, to a user of the client device, at least one of: a video or an interactive web page. Responsive to the data encoded in the QR code, the client device sends to a coupon server: identification data associated with a user of the client device, and a request for the coupon server to distribute a digital coupon for an offer associated with an identifier encoded within the QR code to an account associated with the user.

Abstract: Credit applicants may apply for instant credit, and use an instant account number (“IAN”) to make purchases after the instant credit has been granted. Fraud control methods may be used in authorizing the instant credit. When the IAN is issued to purchase airline tickets, it can be ensured that the applicant's last name matches the passenger's last name for the airline ticket being purchased, and that the ticket will not be renamed or sold. When the IAN is issued in conjunction with a partner's loyalty or rewards program, the applicant's account information with the rewards program is captured. It is ensured that the applicant has some tenure with the partner and that data submitted by the applicant is consistent with data on file with the partner.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for interfacing a decision engine and a marketing engine in order to provide vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system and method may include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; processing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network.

Abstract: A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying user propensity to access a web page via a communication network are provided. A data processing system can receive a request for subject matter to provide for display with the web page. A referring URL identifying a source web page can be identified from the request. Based on the source web page, a score can be assigned to the request. A quality metric can indicate a likelihood that a user associated with the request will access content provided for display with the web page, and this quality metric can be adjusted based on the score.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer readable media for data record compression using graph-based techniques.

Abstract: Ads delivered to mobile devices by virtue of a mobile app executing on the device are displayed on the device screen outside the confines or borders of the mobile app. This enables app developers to display ads through their apps to app users wherein the ads are displayed outside the confines of the actual app as displayed on the device. That is, the ad may be displayed as what may be characterized as a ‘regular non-app generated’ ad, such as on the device's home or lock screen (display areas not normally associated with an app). In this manner, clutter is decreased within mobile apps that would otherwise be caused by the ads. Consequently, advertisers are more likely to pay higher rates thereby generating more revenue for app developers or related entities.

Abstract: A method of providing advertisements using an email distribution list comprises generating a non-functional domain name list using a list of a plurality of email addresses that comprises a plurality of domain names, comparing each domain name of the plurality of domain names to each email address in the list of the plurality of email addresses, determining that one or more of the email addresses in the list of the plurality of email addresses comprise at least one domain name in the non-functional domain name list, marking each email address in the list of the plurality of email addresses that comprise the at least one domain name in the non-functional domain name list as non-functional, generating a message, selecting a first plurality of email addresses from the list of the plurality of email addresses, and sending the message to each email address of the first plurality of email addresses.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for authenticating a customer in an online transaction. In one embodiment, a method includes initiating, in conjunction with an online transaction, an authentication query via a communication device associated with a customer in the online transaction, receiving customer authentication data from the communication device, sending the customer authentication data to a third-party authentication server to authenticate the customer using the customer authentication data, receiving a determination from the third-party authentication server whether the customer is authenticated, and allowing the online transaction to proceed in response to receiving the determination that the customer is authenticated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing access to the use of computing resources. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from a resource user, request data that specifies: a resource commitment rate for a particular computing resource and a burst tier related to the resource commitment rate. The resource commitment rate can specify a first number of units of the particular computing resource that the resource user has committed to leasing for a particular time period. The burst tier can specify an additional number of units of the particular computing resource that the resource user can use simultaneously with the first number of units of the particular computing resource at a discounted rate during the particular time period. The discounted rate for using the additional units is determined based on the first number of units and the additional number of units.

Abstract: A customer with a customer device performs a search for reviews of a particular software product of interest to the customer. The customer is then presented with entries from reviewers that have the same device as the customer, or a device on which the product is expect to run or operate in a manner similar to how it runs on the customer's device.

Abstract: A visual refinement interface enables users to adjust and/or refine search results by selecting results that match a user's interest, and displaying subsequent results that are closer to the selected items. Multiple result sets can be displayed concurrently such that the user can maintain context for the results. Further, the user can quickly go back to modify an earlier selection without having to navigate to a previous page, for example, and a single modification can cause several subsequent result sets to automatically change such that the user can quickly view dozens of new results, for example, simply by selecting at least one different result from a displayed result set. Prior result sets can be modified, such as by reducing the size or adjusting the placement of the sets, such that the user can easily determine the current set and the relatedness to previous results sets.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for populating an electronic device registered for a user with applications from an application platform that the electronic device is operating with. The method is carried out by an application recommendation node. The method includes the acts of collecting a user profile for the user and an identifier for the electronic device, selecting a list of applications from the application platform based on the user profile, associating the list of applications with the identifier, receiving notification of a first presentation of the identifier following the association, and pushing the list of applications to the electronic device corresponding to the identifier following the notification.

Abstract: A service provider may receive transaction information from a plurality of merchant devices for a plurality of point of sale (POS) transactions conducted between buyers and merchants. The service provider associates the transaction information with respective buyer profiles. The service provider may subsequently receive an indication of a first item selected by a particular buyer for a current POS transaction being conducted with a particular merchant. The service provider may determine a particular buyer profile to associate with the current transaction. Based at least in part on the particular buyer profile or the other buyer profiles, the service provider may determine a second item that has been purchased frequently together with the first item. The service provider sends a communication to the particular merchant to indicate that the particular merchant may wish to offer the second item to the particular buyer for inclusion in the current transaction.

Abstract: A server receives an electronic shopping cart from a client device. The electronic shopping cart describes an item for purchase from a merchant. The server comparison-shops to determine a different merchant offering the same or comparable item for sale. The server sends a notification to the client device describing a lower price offered by the different merchant. The server may then receive an approval to replace the item selected for purchase from the merchant with the item offered by the different merchant.

Abstract: A user may create a wish/gift list and send the list to recipients, who have the option of accepting the list. Content being viewed or recorded by recipients who have accepted the list is scanned to determine whether the content is relevant to one or more items on the list. If so, an alert is displayed on a recipient device, which can be the same device as the displayed content. The recipient may select the alert to purchase the item(s) or obtain additional information about the item(s) for a subsequent purchase.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for conducting electronic commerce within a social media environment. A user performs social media interactions within a social media environment and elects to consider purchasing a vendor's product that is referenced in an activity stream. The user then proceeds to a social commerce site while they are still within the social media environment. The user then accesses the social commerce site and performs social commerce operations, such as selecting and purchasing the product referenced in the activity stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for adding product customization offerings to a product catalog. One such embodiment comprises receiving a request to create a product customization attribute for a product entry in a product catalog; generating the product customization attribute from at least one option selected on a product customization attribute template specific to a product category associated with the product entry; and directing storage of the product customization attribute associated with the product catalog entry.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a recognition dictionary evaluation apparatus calculates, in response to the update of a recognition dictionary file, a recognition rate by item of each commodity according to feature amount data of the updated recognition dictionary file; evaluates the recognition dictionary file based on the calculated recognition rate by item of each commodity; detects, in a case in which the recognition dictionary file is evaluated to be improper, a low recognition commodity of which a correct recognition rate that a commodity is correctly recognized from all commodities is lower than a given level, and an incorrect recognition commodity of which an incorrect recognition rate is high within the recognition rate by item of the low recognition commodity; and notifies the items of the low recognition commodity and the incorrect recognition commodity.

Abstract: The non-bidding activity of one or more bidders of an auction is detected over an online interface of the auction environment. The activity of the one or more bidders is detected while the one or more bidders are participating in the auction. The non-bidding activity is correlated to an interest metric for the auction. Information is communicated that is based on the interest metric. The information can be communicated to either a seller or a bidder of the auction.

Abstract: A system for object tracking may comprise a system for displaying consumer account information on a wireless device comprising at least one subsystem that receives transaction information regarding a purchase of the consumer, at least one subsystem that sends selected transaction information regarding the transaction to a wireless device, and at least one subsystem that displays on the wireless device account information based on the sent selected transaction information.

Abstract: A method and system for viewing and trading futures and other tradeable objects. The invention includes improved user interfaces for use with trading systems that allows users to more efficiently execute and manage trades. A dynamic price ladder allows a trader to see price gaps while remaining in a dynamic mode. The “sticky cells” feature prevents user errors which can occur when the display updates causing the cell under the mouse pointer to move up or down. Particular portions of the display can be color coded to provide a user with a easy way to determine market trends. A static working order screen allows a trader to visually see working orders from closest to furthest away from the market and can also allow for orders to be cancelled.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to integrating processes of resource requests and corresponding backings. More specifically, backing data is assessed to identify a distribution to be used for resource-request processing.

Abstract: Systems to assist in the creation, transmission, and processing of health insurance claims. Computer-implemented methods that enable the receiving of, storing of, and granting access to data in such systems.