Abstract: Music is blanket transmitted (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's user station where selected music files are recorded. Customers preselect from a list of available music in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay only for music that they choose to playback for their enjoyment. An antipiracy WID tag is woven into the recorded music so that any illegal copies therefrom may be traced to the purchase transaction. Music is transmitted on a fixed schedule or through an active scheduling process that monitors music requests from all or a subset of satellite receivers and adjusts scheduling according to demand for various CD's. Receivers store selections that are likely to be preferred by a specific customer. In those instances where weather conditions, motion of atmospheric layers or dish obstructions result in data loss, the system downloads the next transmission of the requested CD and uses both transmissions to produce a “good copy”.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure enable a tailored user experience to be provided. A kiosk system includes a scanner component configured to identify biometric data; a metric component configured to communicate with the scanner component to identify user identifier data based on the biometric data; a transaction component configured to communicate with the metric component to identify a financial account corresponding to the identified user identifier data, and generate a request for authorization for a financial transaction using the identified financial account; and a dispenser component configured to communicate with the transaction component to determine whether to dispense the beverage. Aspects of the disclosure provide for tailoring a user experience based on various factors including a user metric and/or an account metric.

Abstract: A kiosk for accepting a portable electronic device from a client in exchange for payment includes a display, one or more cameras, a portable device receiving arrangement, a payment dispensing arrangement, and a communication connection to a remote server and/or operator. The kiosk is configured to, in conjunction with the remote server and/or operator, perform one or more of associating a fundraising even with an amount payable for the accepted portable electronic device, change or defer payments in accordance with at least some attributes that are yet to be evaluated, and to perform authentication of the accepted portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for facilitation of installments for an electronic transaction includes: receiving a transaction message for an electronic transaction including an account identifier, transaction identifier, transaction date, and transaction amount; storing a transaction record for the transaction including the transaction identifier, transaction amount, transaction date, and a due date based on the transaction date; receiving an installment request, the request including the transaction identifier and installment options; calculating installment terms based on the installment options, transaction amount, transaction date, and due date, wherein the installment terms and/or options including an installment amount and number of installments; generating a plurality of transaction records, each related to an installment including the transaction identifier, installment amount, and a payment date based on the due date and number of installments, the number of transaction records being equivalent to the number of installm

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for a retail facility to maintain information regarding product location, in part, from correlating a shopper's cart path and their purchased items with those of other shoppers. In some approaches, the methods and apparatuses may determine a cart path for a particular shopping cart by analyzing aisle markers captured by an image capturing device in the shopping cart, associate that cart path with the purchased items from that shopping cart, and compare the associated cart path and purchased items with similar information from other customers. In some examples, by comparing the associated cart paths and purchased items form a plurality of customers, an aisle location of one of the retail items is identified and the database of aisle locations and retail items may be updated accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are included for splitting a gift card by generating one or more other gift cards. A transaction processor receives a request to split a first value that corresponds to a first data structure, the request including a first identifier that is associated with the first data structure. Responsive to the request, the transaction processor generates a second data structure. The transaction processor assigns a second identifier and a second value to the second data structure. The transaction processor receives a second request that includes the second identifier and a third value. The transaction processor reduces the third value by the second value.

Abstract: There is provided a method of implementing a payment in relation to a telephone call between a customer and a merchant or service provider, the telephone call consisting of a signalling component and a media component. The method comprises, when establishing the telephone call, routing the signalling component to the merchant/service provider via a payment service system and routing the media component directly to the merchant/service provider.

Abstract: Provided is a wearable personal digital device for point of healthcare saliva testing. The wearable personal digital device may comprise a processor, a display, biometric sensors, activity tracking sensors, a memory unit, a communication circuit, a housing, an input unit, a projector, a timepiece unit, a haptic touch control actuator, a band, a mounting clip, a saliva sample insert apparatus, a pinhole, a light emitting diode board, a battery, and a set of sensors. The processor may be operable to receive data from an external device, provide a notification to a user based on the data, receive a user input, and perform a command selected based on the user input. The housing may be adapted to enclose the components of the wearable personal digital device. The band may be adapted to attach to the housing and secure the wearable personal digital device on a user body.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a financial transaction may include processing a purchase transaction for products for purchase by a customer to determine a transaction amount. A communication with a mobile device of the customer may include communicating a store identifier, POS identifier, and the transaction amount. In response to receiving an approval number for the purchase transaction from a financial institution of the customer, completing the purchase transaction for the purchase of the products by the customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a payment service of a two-channel authentication method utilizing a card reader infrastructure and a portable user terminal. The system for providing a payment service according to an aspect of the present invention includes an affiliate POS terminal configured to receive MIN card information and generate and transmit a transaction approval request signal, and a server configured to receive the transaction approval request signal, transmit a transaction authentication request signal to a portable user terminal, and transmit approval request information to a financial institution server when transaction authentication is completed from an input signal of the portable user terminal.

Abstract: A system and method allows users to make purchases by charging or funding a prepaid debit card with their cell phone accounts by simulating a user roaming with their mobile device.

Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure are a simulation apparatus, real card manager and data interactive system. The apparatus includes: a first interface, configured to receive first data; a security module, configured to process the first data to obtain second data; and a wireless interface, configured to send the second data to a real card manager; in which the wireless interface is further configured to receive third data sent by the real card manager and to send the third data to the security module; the security module is further configured to receive the third data sent by the wireless interface, to process the third data to obtain fourth data, and to send the fourth data to the first interface; and the first interface is further configured to receive the fourth data sent by the security module and to send the fourth data to the terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for efficiently provisioning mobile devices with personalization data. For some embodiments, a method is disclosed comprising receiving a request for provisioning comprising device information for a mobile device and user authentication information for a user, generating a partial personalization script, an activation script, and a deletion script using the device information, sending the partial personalization script, the activation script, and the deletion script to an application provider computer, wherein the application provider computer initiates execution of the partial personalization script on the mobile device, authenticating the user authentication information, and sending an activation message to the application provider computer, wherein the application provider computer initiates execution of the activation script.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating on-demand payment instruments are described. A user with a user payment account may perform a transaction with a user device and request an on-demand payment instrument. The request may be communicated to a transaction device. The transaction device may authenticate the request and associate an on-demand payment instrument to the user payment account. Information associated with the on-demand payment instrument information may then be tokenized and communicated to the user device, the merchant, or another party and the information may be entered and/or processed for the transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and computer system are proposed for assisting a consumer associated with a plurality of payment cards. When the consumer wishes to make a payment transaction, a computer system with access to information about the payment cards and access to at least one consequence database storing information relating to consequences of the making payment using the payment cards, determines consequences of making the payment using each of a plurality of the payment cards. According to the determined consequences, the computer system makes an automatic selection of one of the payment cards to use for the purchase. The computer system's selection may be presented to the consumer as a proposal. Upon the consumer accepting the proposal, the payment transaction is performed using the selected payment card.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a multicurrency card for use with a processing scheme for processing transactions, the multicurrency card being associated with a plurality of currencies, each of the plurality of currencies being associated with a respective wallet capable of representing funds in its respective currency, the processing scheme being configured so as to preferentially debit, for a transaction, the wallet associated with the currency of the transaction, the method comprising the step of: inhibiting the crediting of the balance of a subset of the wallets associated with the plurality of currencies such that the balance for each of said subset of wallets is less than or equal to a predetermined amount irrespective of the currency of credit credited to the multicurrency card.

Abstract: A method for processing a guaranteed electronic transaction, includes: storing account profile, each include an account number and balance; receiving a transaction message from an acquiring financial institution via a payment network, the message including a specific account number, transaction amount, and payment guarantee data; identifying a specific account profile that includes the specific account number; deducting the transaction amount from the account balance in the specific account profile; generating a record of payment guarantee that includes the transaction amount and data associated with the payment guarantee data; generating a return message including a response code indicating transaction approval and data associated with the generated record; transmitting the generated record to a computing system via a communication network; and transmitting the generated return message to the acquiring financial institution via the payment network.

Abstract: A system, one or more methods, and one or more computer program products capable of automatically authorizing, clearing, and/or settling the withdrawal of funds from at least one account based on the matching of an offer condition attribute with at least one transaction attribute value.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented that allows a user to make a secure purchase online, directly through accessing an online advertisement and without being redirected to multiple, cumbersome webpages to process different pieces of information to complete the transaction, while still leveraging existing e-commerce entities, such as existing payment platforms and existing ad/content networks. The present system includes a commerce ads engine (CA engine) that interfaces with the user through an app associated with the CA engine, a tokenization platform for authentication of the user, and a merchant providing relevant offer and check out information about a product being advertised in an online ad.

Abstract: A payment accessory device is operatively coupled to a smart speaker. The smart speaker provides a voice-implemented personal assistant software service. A method of operating the payment accessory device includes communicating with a remote server computer via a mobile device. The purpose of the communication is for the mobile device to receive a payment token. The payment token is provisioned from the mobile device to the payment accessory device while positioning the mobile device in proximity to the payment accessory device. The provisioning of the payment token includes transfer of data from the mobile device to the payment accessory device.

Abstract: A computer-based method includes receiving, at a computer-based authorization system, a request to authorize payment to a first party at an electronic payment device from an account with funds that have been paid by a second party. The request includes an encrypted indication of an account number that corresponds to the account and a cash card number entered by the first party at the electronic payment device. The method further includes deriving an unencrypted version of the account number from the encrypted indication; comparing the unencrypted version of the account number to one or more identification codes in an electronic database, where one of the identification codes corresponds to the account; and authorizing payment from the account at the payment device based, at least in part, on whether the comparing yields a match between the unencrypted version of the account number and the identification code that corresponds to the account.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for facial recognition identification for in-store payment transactions. In particular, a payment system allows a user to engage in a payment transaction with a merchant to purchase goods or services at an in-store checkout location. For example, one or more implementations involve receiving a payment request to initiate an in-store payment transaction between a user and a merchant, the payment request including an image of the user. One or more embodiments identify a payment account for the user based on the image and send a payment confirmation request to a client device of the user. Additionally, one or more embodiments process the in-store payment transaction based on a confirmation response received from the client device.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device for authenticating a user involved in a transaction and a method thereof is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a biometric sensor, a user interface configured to PIN or other secret information known to the user, and one or more processors configured to authenticate the user based on the user input, authenticate the user based on the biometric information, retrieve identification information including mobile device and user account information, and generate a one-time authentication code specific to the transaction.

Abstract: A computer system for authenticating a user involved in a transaction and a method thereof is provided. The computer system comprises a communications interface configured to receive identification information including information specific to a mobile electronic device and information specific to a user account, and a one-time authentication code. One or more processors are configured to retrieve account information, and to use the retrieved account information to validate the received identification information and one-time authentication code. The one-time authentication code is generated by the mobile electronic device responsive to successful authentication of at least one of biometric information of the user and a user input comprising a PIN or other secret information known to the user. The biometric information is captured by a biometric sensor, and the user input is received by a user interface.

Abstract: A personal wireless communication device (PWD) has a data store that stores a first unique code. A registration database, remote from the PWD, receives and stores the first code. The registration database transmits to the PWD a second unique code that is stored in the PWD. A data reader at the PWD reads a third unique code that is carried on a payment card to be authenticated. A code generator at the PWD generates a fourth unique code in response to user input at the PWD. A code generator at the PWD generates a unique encryption key utilising the first, second, third and fourth codes. The PWD encrypts a unique authorisation code using the unique encryption key that it has generated and transmit the encrypted authorisation code to the remote registration database, which decrypts the authorisation code to authenticate the payment card by reference to the authorisation code.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium having processor-executable instructions recorded thereon is provided for distributing transactional advertisements from a distribution site over a network to online publishers. Transactional data items are rendered by the online publishers, with control elements provided from the distribution site, to control use of the transactional data items on the user terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the status of a label. The system can include a memory with a database. The database can include an indicator of the label status. The system can additionally include a processor that operates in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The processor can receive a request to generate a label, update the first database with an identifier that indicates the existence of the label, receive a signal indicating that a service requested by the label has been provided, and update the identifier in the first database to indicate that the requested service has been provided.

Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes relating to securing legal interactions between a client and a legal professional. In one example, a process includes receiving a legal transaction request from a client, where the legal transaction request includes legal transaction parameters such as location and practice area. Legal professional profiles associated with legal professionals are then obtained, where the legal professional profiles include legal professional parameters such as level of experience and practice area. At least one legal professional is selected based on a comparison of the legal professional profiles and the legal transaction request. A legal services agreement is then generated by analyzing legal services agreements for prior legal transactions and determining vector space distances between these legal services agreements and the legal transaction parameters.

Abstract: A user of an interactive medium may select advertising for display on the user's avatar, property, or other user-associated environment. The invention presents one or more advertisements to the user and allows the user to select at least one advertisement to display. The user may also choose a location for displaying the selected advertisement. The invention presents the selected advertisement to other users of the interactive medium. The invention tracks these presentations or displays and rewards the original user based on the presentation. The tracking data may also be used to bill the advertiser or optimize the process of selecting and displaying advertisements.

Abstract: To control advertisement or other media content placement in content, content owners or other interested parties may include ad or media content placement metadata in the content item. Media content placement metadata may provide specifications such as a maximum media content (e.g., ad) duration, media content rating, media content size, payment information, placement location on a screen (i.e., for videos or images) and the like. The media content metadata may be extracted and used to retrieve matching media content such as advertisements for inclusion during play of a corresponding content item.

Abstract: An exemplary method for distributing an offer to a mobile device includes identifying a location of a first mobile device, identifying offer preferences for a user of the first mobile device, and distributing the offer to the first mobile device. The offer is an offer for the purchase of goods or services, the offer meets the offer preferences of the user of the first mobile device, and the offer is encoded with a first offer identifier corresponding to the user of the first mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention assists the critical real-time decision making required to make important decision on bidding on various customer procurement commodities in a telephonic sales market. The invention provides dynamic pricing as a function of Internet or other types of advertisement costs for the telephonic market. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a virtual or physical e-commerce application with an interface connected to the telephonic routing system. A tracking identifier is used with an advertisement, usually a web-based ad, and routed via the vendor to the analysis and procurement system to measure advertising channel effectiveness. A pool of bidders can analyze the tracking data for effective and bid and procure an automated or manual 1800 sales call from a consumer based on a number of factors.

Abstract: In one example, a method for providing a common platform enabling electronic outlets for companies is described. A plurality of companies and users may be enabled to subscribe with a cloud-based server. A mobile device of a user may be authenticated when the user logs-in through a client application running on the mobile device. A plurality of electronic outlets associated with the plurality of companies may be provided on a user interface of the mobile device of the user through the client application running on the mobile device. A selection of a first electronic outlet associated with a first company of the plurality of electronic outlets may be received. Benefit data specific to the first electronic outlet may be provided on the user interface of the mobile device via the client application upon selecting the first electronic outlet.

Abstract: An information collection system 1 has: a stand-alone-power-type transmitter 10 capable of moving together with a mobile entity (purchaser) A1, the transmitter 10 spontaneously and intermittently transmitting a transmitter ID at a timing corresponding to the distance of movement of the mobile entity A1; a plurality of receivers 20 provided in an area X to be monitored in which the mobile entity A1 can move freely, the receivers 20 receiving the transmitter ID transmitted from the transmitter 10 present in the vicinity of the area X; and a server 30 for managing the transmitter ID, the position information (receiver ID) of the receiver 20 that receives the transmitter ID, and a time of day at which the receiver ID is received, in association with each other.

Abstract: A system for brand management using social networks comprising an application server, social network crawler software modules, third party service integration software modules, an analytics server, a report generator, a search engine, a behavioral analysis engine, a recommendation engine, and a database. A user registers and provides data pertaining to a brand. Upon retrieving content from a plurality of social networks pertaining to the brand, the analytics server module analyzes the content to a content value specific to the brand among members of the social networks. The behavioral analysis engine obtains content elements generated by a first member a social network and analyzes the first member's behavior to compute an audience value of the first member. The report generator prepares reports specific to the brand, the reports comprising at least indicia of content value, indicia of audience value, and recommendations for improving member engagement with the brand.

Abstract: An information propagation method includes: determining a first user corresponding to to-be-propagated information, the first user being a user whose influence is greater than a preset value in an interest type network to which the first user belongs; and acquiring a user relation network that takes the first user as a starting point, and propagating the information in the user relation network by taking the first user as a starting point. The method improves efficiency and credibility of information propagation.

Abstract: A method is provided to identify availability of a user and to prompt the user about a survey which is due on the user. The identification of availability is based on defined behavior patterns of the user. The survey is split into small components and provided to the user via multiple messaging applications.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information collecting apparatus outputs a question asking for an answer with a commodity to an output device of a user terminal. The information collecting apparatus detects a commodity which is input as an answer to the question from an input device of the user terminal. The information collecting apparatus acquires information on the detected commodity in association with information specifying a user of the user terminal.

Abstract: A method for documenting a customer's journey using an online survey platform has an administrator account and a plurality of user profiles, each of which are managed by a remote server and are also associated with corresponding PC devices. The method begins by receiving a project creation request from the administrator account. The project creation request initiates the survey creation process. Next, a survey template is created to function as the framework around which the survey is structured. The survey template is then formatted to contain the appropriate questions that gauge user experience while moving through the phases of a task. The formatted survey template is sent multiple user profiles. The user associated to those profiles then respond to the survey. Finally, the responses are analyzed and the results of the analysis is presented to the administrator account.

Abstract: An electronic price label system and a method for an electronic price label system, the electronic price label system comprising a product database in which products are listed. In the method a new price for a product is determined, wherein the new price is based at least in part on a current price of the product, a ratio of the currently used sales time to the total duration of the sales season, and a ratio of the sales of the products in the previous observation time frame, e.g. a week, to the planned sales of the products in the observation time frame. The determined new price for the product is sent to the electronic price label linked to the product.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for entity-specific value optimization. An elasticity estimation module receives a data request for an item associated with an individual entity, and identifies a value response curve for the item associated with the individual entity. The elasticity estimation module determines an elasticity measure for the item associated with the individual entity. A value optimization module dynamically adjusts the identified value response curve for the item associated with the individual entity as new data corresponding to the item and the individual entity is received, and generates a value optimization recommendation based on the dynamic adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing AI-based cost estimates for services are disclosed. The method may comprise receiving, at one or more processors, data from a scanning of a location, the scanning performed by one or more of a camera, a computer vision device, an inertial measurement unit, or a depth sensor. Data may be received, at one or more processors, related to the identification of one or more key elements at the location. An itemized statement and quote of work to be performed may be generated at one or more processors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for obtaining airfare data, analyzing the airfare data in response to user provided parameters, transforming the data into a visual display, and providing the display as a visual representation of competitiveness of a plurality of airfare for one or more first carriers compared to one or more second carriers which are different than the first carriers. The disclosed software provides a useful tool for quickly determining which airfares for a carrier are competitive, not competitive or are overly-competitive. The software can determine competitiveness of a carrier by demand segments, against one or more other carrier(s) and in any particular departure vs. return date combinations, over a wide range of possible date combinations.

Abstract: A system and method for incentivizing charitable giving based on physical activity includes a computer and a sports ball associated with a first participant identifier. The sports ball includes a sensor that detects and logs activity data. The activity data is received by the computer, and in further transmitted to a server. The server stores the received activity data in a participant record associated with the first participant identifier and assigns a plurality of credits to the participant record associated with the first participant identifier based on the activity data stored in the participant record. Software executing on the server generates a report based on the credits assigned to the participant record associated with the first participant identifier and transmits the report to a participant computer associated with the first participant identifier.

Abstract: A fortune cookie includes a cookie and printed messages that promote the theme of the restaurant providing the fortune cookie and that provide promotional material that enhances customer loyalty (and enhanced business for the restaurant) through promotional advertising, giveaways, and the like. For example, a fortune cookie with a Southern country theme is formed from cornbread, shortbread, red velvet, pecan pie, or other American Southern or country-style flavor and includes messages on one side with a home-spun country theme and promotional materials on the other side. The promotional materials may include free items such as candy from a country store for the children and giveaways or discounts correlated with the point of sale on purchases from the country store or for future food purchases from the restaurant. The promotions also may be directed to cross-promotions with other retail and online establishments.

Abstract: A system and method for a user to have a credit card, debit card, or stored value card that is linked to their reward points account in such a way as to permit them to pay for purchases with a merchant by using the card, wherein the merchant uses the existing credit card payment infrastructure as if payment were being made/authorized by a bank linked to the credit card or debit card account, but in fact the card is linked to the user's reward points account. In this manner, the user and merchant can use the reward points account to pay for purchases in a seamless manner whereby reward points are used for consideration rather than or as a supplement to cash and traditional credit.

Abstract: The preference based data collection and discounting system and methods herein collect consumer product preferences and track the buying habits of a consumer and reward consumers through discounts. The buying habits may be interrogated by a database of one or more algorithms, which will result in a collated database about consumer buying habits. This metadata may be used by vendors to make marketing assumptions that will influence a consumer's future purchase decisions. Consumers directly input and update their preferences as well.

Abstract: A method includes determining a recommended aspect for content that includes at least one image. The recommended aspect is determined at least in part based on activity data that indicates aspects of other content authored by or interacted with by a plurality of authors in at least one social network, website, application software, or mobile application software (app). The method further includes generating the content including the at least one image according to the recommended aspect. The recommended aspect is an aspect of the at least one image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for assessing a performance and/or determining a programmatically expected performance of a marketing campaign. In one embodiment a method for creating a unified data set from a plurality of data sets received from third-party service providers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface is used to facilitate user access to visual representation of the unified data set. In one embodiment, the unified data set may be used to train a machine learning model. In some implementations, the machine learning model may predict an expected performance for marketing campaigns. In one embodiment, the machine learning model may adjust one or more parameters of the marketing campaign in order to increase the effectiveness of the marketing campaign and the associated revenue.