Abstract: A location-based event scheduling and coordination system includes at least one host computing device configured to accept from at least one user a first event and a second event at respectively different locations to be successively attended. The host computing device automatically considers location-based information for each of the first event and the second event to determine a possible scheduling conflict between the first event and the second event, and if a possible scheduling conflict is determined, automatically notifies the at least one user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for securing a meeting in a physical conference room with multiple meetings scheduled therein. A list of scheduled meetings for the physical conference room is received from a videoconference server that is configured to host a multi-endpoint conference meeting between a local endpoint associated with the physical conference room and at least one remote endpoint. A first meeting within the list of scheduled meetings is designated as a locked meeting. The list of scheduled meetings that do not have the locked designation associated with the physical conference room for display are displayed, whereas for the first meeting, display of meeting information is suppressed. The presence of a device associated with an entity invited to the first meeting is detected, and at least one resource in the physical conference room is unlocked for use in the first meeting when a received meeting identifier is verified.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques and mechanisms for facilitating communications with patients of a medical practice. Patients of a medical practice may be grouped into clusters based on similar characteristics as represented in data associated with those patients. For example, patients may be clustered based on demographic data, stated communications preference data, observational data about patient behavior, clinic data characterizing a medical practice visited by the patient, and/or other such information. A default communications pattern may be determined for each cluster. The default communications pattern may include information related to communications content, channel, ordering, frequency, timing, and/or other such information for communicating with patients in the cluster. Messages may then be scheduled with patients in a cluster in accordance with the default communications pattern.

Abstract: A method in which text messaging is used to make voice transmissions via phone more efficient. The initiator of a phone call employs a dial pad which transmits a text message inquiring as to the availability of the recipient to take a voice call, rather than causing the phone of the recipient to ring. The text message provides a link to accept or schedule the call. If the recipient selects the ‘accepts’ link then the voice transmission is generated. If the recipient selects the ‘schedule later’ link, then prospective call times are displayed either in minutes or specific hours of the day. The originator of the call receives a text message specifying the preferred time or times. The originator of the call may confirm the time indicated or may select ‘schedule later’ and continue the process until both parties agree to a time for the voice call. As this process may be repeated, the invention involves an algorithm for queuing scheduled calls.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer-implemented methods and systems for managing aids to navigation (AtoNs). In one embodiment, the method comprises maintaining an AtoN database, recording, in the AtoN database, an identifier for each AtoN asset, and associating, with each identifier, lifecycle information relating to the corresponding AtoN asset. The method may be performed by a mobile device, and functions of the mobile device can be utilised to provide additional advantages at the time of deployment or servicing of an AtoN—in particular, to record the current location of an AtoN, its colour or flash rate, or the tilt of one or more parts of the AtoN.

Abstract: A processor based method comprising: identifying a device using a portable electronic apparatus; offering a plurality of options, for selection by a user of the portable electronic apparatus, about how to proceed for the purpose of attending the device; providing step-by-step guiding instructions as to how to attend the device, the guiding instructions being specific to the identified device and the option selected; if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the device is achieved, ending the process; and, if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the device is not achieved, providing communication options to the user, using the portable electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A system, method and device for waste measurement for garbage truck fleets operated by waste pickup service are provided. The waste measurement device comprises one or more visible light cameras; one or more volume sensors; and a controller. The waste measurement device is deployed in front of a hopper of the garbage truck and the device is configured to measure the waste volume in the hopper using the volume sensors. The method calculates the waste volume emptied from the waste container by at least subtracting the measurement of the volume in the hopper before loading from the measurement of the volume after loading. The system manages the waste pickup services having garbage truck fleet with the waste measurement devices. The system optimizes and monitors the system operation conditioned upon the measurements provided from the waste measuring devices.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide techniques to improve the security in blockchains by anonymizing the information of the service data. In some implementations, first service data is received from a plurality of blockchain nodes in a blockchain network. The first service data received from each blockchain node is associated with a first source address and a first destination address. Second service data is formed. The second source data includes a second source address that is formed based on a plurality of first source addresses and a plurality of first destination addresses associated with the first service data. The second service data is sent to a blockchain node of the plurality of blockchain nodes. The second service data is processed in response to receiving a verification message from the blockchain node verifying that the second service data includes a part of the first service data provided by the blockchain node.

Abstract: A method for intelligent switching for multiple transaction types includes: storing a plurality of action events, each associated with one of a plurality of data types and including corresponding executable processes; storing each of the executable processes corresponding to each action event; receiving a data message from a third party system; identifying a specific data type of the data message; and executing a specific action event that is associated with the specific data type, wherein executing the specific action event includes executing each of the corresponding executable processes, at least one of the corresponding executable processes includes transmitting the received data message to an authorization system associated with the specific data type, and the plurality of data types includes at least a financial transaction message and an automated clearing house message.

Abstract: A method for automated transfer to prevent loss from termination of resources comprises the step of receiving, from a program manager and via an API, a resource identifier of a resource, a cessation date of the resource, and a selected cessation target. The method includes generating a transfer rule for transferring reserves associated with the resource to the cessation target on the cessation date. The transfer rule is invoked on the cessation date to transfer the reserves to the cessation target.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for transferring funds from multiple transaction accounts are provided. The system may allow a user to link one or more credit, debit, or other similar transaction accounts to a single transaction instrument. The system may receive a transaction authorization request, retrieve a merchant account number and a consumer transaction account number based on the transaction authorization request, and generate a funds transfer request comprising the merchant account number, the consumer transaction account number, and a payment amount. The funds transfer request may be executed by a transaction account network to transfer funds from the consumer transaction account to the merchant account.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating group payment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a group payment system is configured to execute instructions to perform operations that include receiving, from a first computing device, a request to create a group payment event and, in response, providing to the first computing device a first interface associated with the group payment event. The operations further include receiving, from a second computing device, a request to join the group payment event and, in response, providing a second interface to the second computing device. The operations further include receiving, from the first and/or second computing devices, messages associated with the group payment event and modifying the first and second interfaces to display the messages. The operations further include receiving, from the first and/or second computing devices, financial contributions for the group payment event and modifying the first and second interfaces to display the financial contributions.

Abstract: There is provided a checkout apparatus (10) including an image data acquisition unit(11) which acquires data on an image, an image analysis unit (12) which recognizes a product in the image, using a feature value of appearance of each of a plurality of products registered in a feature value storage unit (14) and the image data; a registration unit (13) which registers the product recognized by the image analysis unit (12) as a checkout target, and a projection unit (15) which projects an image related to a checkout process on the product and/or a placement surface of a placement platform of the product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include systems, methods, and devices for processing payments for a card. Such embodiments include receiving payment information from a payor at an intermediate entity server as well as authorizing the payment transaction, by the intermediate entity server, based on the payment information. Further such embodiments include providing instructions, by the intermediate entity, to debit a payor card account and credit a payee shadow ledger account based on the payment information as well as providing instructions, by the intermediate entity, to debit the payee shadow ledger account and to credit the payee card account based on payment rules.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating purchase of goods and services by pre-payment via a universal gift or other pre-paid card with incentives. The universal gift or other pre-paid card provides incentives to vendors and consumers that use it. It permits flexible purchase of goods and services by consumers. The consumers are recipients of the universal gift card from others or purchasers of the universal gift card who decide to use the card themselves. The universal gift card is usable at any one of a plurality of merchants who are designated and authorized by the system. The universal gift card permits purchase up to a specified amount, which must be paid by a consumer prior to its use. The specified amount is either maintained on the universal gift card itself or is maintained on a database associated with the system, which maintains associated accounts and controls its use. The universal gift card preferably has few restrictions (e.g. expiration date), if any, to facilitate ease of use by consumers.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing payment transactions that are conducted using a mobile device that includes a contactless element, such as an integrated circuit chip. The invention enables the updating, correction or synchronization of transaction data maintained by an Issuer with that stored on the device. This is accomplished by using a wireless (cellular) network as a data communication channel for data provided by an Issuer to the mobile device, and is particularly advantageous in circumstances in which the contactless element is not presently capable of communication with a device reader or point of sale terminal that uses a near field communications mechanism. Data transferred between the mobile device and Issuer may be encrypted and decrypted to provide additional security and protect the data from being accessed by other users or applications.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display configured to display information, an input device configured to receive a user input, an image sensor, a processor electrically connected with the display, the input device, and the image sensor, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium electrically connected with the processor that stores instructions that cause the processor to control the display to display first-level information as a locking mode is partially released when partial authentication passes based on bio-information acquired through the image sensor in a state in which the electronic device is in the locking mode, and control the display to display second-level information having a security level higher than a security level of the first-level information as the locking mode is fully released when full authentication passes based on a user input made through the input device.

Abstract: A method for near field authentication of sources using an audio transceiver computing device includes scanning a plurality of predetermined frequencies for a free frequency, selecting the free frequency from the plurality of predetermined frequencies, generating a periodic enclosed content message, generating a modulated carrier wave representing the periodic enclosed content message, and transmitting the modulated carrier wave at the free frequency. A method for near field authentication of sources using a microphone input of a receiving computing device includes scanning a plurality of predetermined frequencies to detect a signal using the microphone input, verifying, responsive to detecting the signal, that the signal includes at least one enclosed content message, and extracting a content from the enclosed content message.

Abstract: A versatile-customizable-security-enhanced digital wallet operated through a mobile electronic device (or non-mobile electronic device) operative to receive, from any sources, save, store, maintain, create, edit, manage, and allow the retrieval, displaying, and sharing of, various data and forms of enhancement and data thereof; to process and execute applications using the data and forms of enhancement and data thereof saved, stored, and maintained therein; and to protect the data saved, stored, and maintained therein and funds thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques enable digital ledger authentication using address encoding. A digital ledger is accessed. A wallet address is determined for a user, where the wallet address is associated with a cryptocurrency in the digital ledger. The wallet address is hashed and signed, where the signing is performed using a private key from a digital purveyor. A digitally mapped value is encoded based on the wallet address. A transaction is authenticated based on reverifying the digitally mapped value with a re-encoding or re-signing the wallet address. The reverified digitally mapped value is used to enable a smart contract. An entry is appended to the digital ledger, where the entry includes the digitally mapped value. A transaction is rejected due to the re-encoding of the wallet address not having a correct private key signature, based on non-authentication.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for identifying anomalous behavior (e.g., suspicious transactions). Information from at least one social media source (e.g., a posting) and from at least one non-social media source (e.g., a booking) are monitored. A transaction (e.g., credit card transaction) involving a user is identified. The monitored information is then analyzed to identify one or more characteristics (e.g., location of the user) of the user. A rating of invalidity of the transaction is generated based on the one or more characteristics, where the rating of invalidity refers to the likelihood that the transaction is likely to be anomaly, such as a suspicious transaction. If the rating exceeds a threshold, then an anomaly may be said to have occurred. By identifying anomalous behavior using both social media and non-social media sources, anomalous activities that truly occurred will be more accurately detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resource-saving exchange protocol based on a safe transfer of envelopes among distributed nodes. The method comprises the steps of: authoring an envelope at an origin node, said envelope comprising at least a letter and a trigger card, wherein said letter is any one of an execution algorithm and said trigger card is any one of an event or algorithm that starts the execution of a logic; launching said envelope into the distributed network of nodes, whereby the envelope is transferred from at least one run-node to at least a second run-node according to an embedded exchange logic for safe transfer; checking the trigger from at least one envelope at least once by each run-node and transferred further if the trigger is not met and disabling trigger checking functionality of any one of nodes not actively checking for triggers to save resource, and analyzing the envelopes content upon trigger being fired to learn which run-node is eligible to execute the main logic of the envelope (execute-node).

Abstract: A method for managing data in a decentralized blockchain consensus network of nodes interrelated with each other according to a tree-like structure includes publishing, by a root node, a product contract description for a new product, the product contract description including at least product information and product state information. The method further includes generating, by the root node, at least one product item for the new product by publishing a product item contract including at least item identification information, the product contract for the item, item state information, and valid modifier information for information of at least one node to be able to modify the item state. The method also includes updating, by the root node upon generating a new item for a product, the product contract description by including item information into the product contract description.

Abstract: The systems described herein are configured to generate an auditable digital certificate upon receiving a request for user information associated with a user of the plurality of users and determining that authorization from the user is required The digital certificate comprises: a unique identifier associated with the requester, a context of the request, and a date and time associated with the request. The system then sends an authorization request that includes: a request for consent to grant the request from the requester, and a request for identity verification evidence. Upon receiving the consent and identity verification evidence, the system adds to the digital certificate: a unique identifier associated with the user, the consent, and a date and time associated with receipt of the consent. Finally, the system closes and tamperproofs the digital certificate before storing the digital certificate in a certificate database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods of securely transmitting account credentials, such as a token. A user device and application can initially select an account, and then obtain a transaction identifier associated with the account. The user device can provide the transaction identifier to a resource provider, which can then directly exchange the transaction identifier for the account credentials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated decentralized multilateral transaction processing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for automated decentralized multilateral transaction processing may include: (1) receiving a plurality of transaction requests to conduct a plurality of transactions; (2) determining that a party to a first transaction of the plurality of transactions does not meet a liquidity requirement to conduct the first transaction; (3) executing a netting algorithm to identify a second transaction of the plurality of transactions that when executed allows the first transaction to execute; and (4) executing the first and second transactions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a series of dental aligners. These methods generally include coordination of a dental aligner laboratory coordinating early in the pre-approval process for financing the dental aligner series, a third party financing service, and/or a dental practitioner (e.g., dentist, orthodontist, etc.).

Abstract: A method of remedying erroneous transactions in a distributed ledger system may include: determining, by a court system associated with the distributed ledger system, a judgment that a transferring, by a contract of the distributed ledger system during a conducting of a financial transaction, of a quantity of tokens of the distributed ledger system, from a first account corresponding to a first counterparty to a second account corresponding to a second counterparty, is erroneous; and in response to determining the judgment, executing, by a court contract of the distributed ledger system, a transfer function, configured to be responsive to the court contract, to transfer at least a portion of the quantity of tokens from the second account to the first account.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to payment authorization. An example payment authorization may include receiving an image of a custom gesture recorded via a camera coupled to a payment device, receiving payment information via the payment device, and decoding the custom image and the payment information. Payment authorization may also include encrypting the custom image and the payment information, sending the encrypted custom image and the encrypted payment information to a secure server, and decrypting, via the secure server, the encrypted custom image and the encrypted payment information. Payment authorization may further include comparing the custom image to a database of custom images, comparing the payment information to a database of known payment information, and sending an encrypted payment authentication response to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use in authenticating a user in connection with a network transaction by the user, based on a biometric combination. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a computing device, an authorization request for a network transaction by a user where the authorization request includes biometric data representing at least a first biometric of the user and a second biometric of the user and transmitting the biometric data to a biometric registry, thereby permitting the biometric registry to verify the biometrics data. The method then also includes converting, by the computing device, the biometric data to a personal identification number (PIN) specific to the biometric data when the biometric data is verified and appending, by the computing device, the PIN to the authorization request.

Abstract: An unmanned store system includes an authentication device configured to obtain personal information from a part of a body of a user, transmit the personal information to a first server, and receive authentication of the personal information from the first server; a gate control apparatus configured to open a gate so that the user may enter or exit a store, when the authentication device receives the authentication; and an unmanned checkout device configured to obtain personal information from a part of a body of the user, transmit the personal information to a second server, and pay a product price when receiving authentication of the personal information from the second server.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a user includes receiving an authorization request for a transaction from an account. A plurality of authentication questions each having a corresponding correct answer are associated with the account. A first set of authentication questions of the plurality of authentication questions is transmitted to a communication device by way of an interactive voice response (IVR) call. A first set of user-generated answers corresponding to the first set of authentication questions is received from the communication device. The method further includes determining whether the user is an account holder of the account based on at least the first set of user-generated answers. The transaction is processed based on the determination that the user is the account holder of the account, thereby authenticating the user.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting fraudulent use of monetary credentials during online transactions, comprising: receiving by a computing system, from a client terminal via a network, a request to obtain a digital voucher having a certain monetary equivalent using monetary credentials of a user, determining, a risk of malicious use of the monetary credentials according to an analysis of data denoting the context of the monetary credentials, providing, to the client terminal, a digital unusable voucher, wherein the digital unusable voucher is invalid for performing an online transaction, wherein the digital unusable voucher is structurally similar to a valid voucher that is valid for performing the online transaction, and identifying malicious use of the monetary credentials when within an elapsed predefined interval of time, no appeal in response to invalidity of the digital usable voucher during an attempt to perform the online transaction is received from the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method for managing payment card fraud. More particularly, accessing information associated with at least one card holder after the card holder has physically passed through at least one security checkpoint in which the card holder's identity has been authenticated. Next at least one payment card identifier associated with the card holder is received. A payment card profile associated with the payment card is updated. In one example, information from a ticket is also used with the payment card identifier to manage the probability of rejection. Numerous embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems, including a method for placing a card into a usable state. A biometric input is received for a user to which a card has been issued by an entity. The card has an operational mode of an unusable state that has been previously identified by the entity for a particular PAN. The particular PAN is invalidated for use in further data exchanges using the card. The biometric input is received by an electronic controller embedded in the card. A determination is made that the biometric input matches one of one or more stored biometric profiles of users authorized to use the card. Based on the determining, a new PAN is activated for the card. The new PAN is usable in further data exchanges of the card. The operational mode of the card is modified to a usable state by the electronic controller.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention present a conceptual and methodological model that assists in characterizing, measuring, and managing social and emotional relationships between consumers and brands. The model is intended to serve as a working tool for firms to use in managing their consumer-brand relationships. This conceptual and methodological data model, assists in characterizing, measuring, and monitoring social and emotional relationships between consumers and brands.

Abstract: Mathematical models may be used to improve the customer support process by using a dispatch model to determine whether to dispatch a technician and/or an analysis model to determine one or more actions to be taken to resolve the customer support issue. The mathematical models may process a feature vector that includes features relating to text of the customer support request and other information such as the operational status of the service provided to the customer. A dispatch model may process the feature vector to determine whether to dispatch a technician and an analysis model may process the feature vector to select one or more actions to be performed by the technician or another person. Influential features may be identified and used to provide additional information relating to decision or selections of the mathematical models.

Abstract: Mechanisms for restricting playback functionality of a media device in response to detecting unauthorized content are provided, the mechanisms being configured to: determine whether a piece of media content on a media device is unauthorized content known to be obtained through an authorized channel; and in response to determining that the piece of media content is unauthorized content: cause the media device to present a warning to a user to remove the unauthorized content; and change a setting on the media device by sending instructions to a hardware processor of the media device so that decryption of an authenticity token is inhibited for all media content on the media device, wherein the media content on the media device includes a plurality of pieces of media content.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel systems and methods for providing visual confirmation that a passenger has a valid ticket and has previously paid for additional items such as luggage, suitcase, briefcase, bicycle, musical instrument, wheelchair, car, vehicle, motorcycle, automobile (in the case of, for example, a ferry). The visual validation display object allows tickets and additional items to be easily and quickly confirmed.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide for analyzing electronic messages for data of a participant, who may be an existing or potential customer with respect to a client. In particular, some embodiments are implemented as a customer analytics system to analyze electronic messages from participants and extract participant interest data therefrom, which can include historical transactional data relating to a set of organizations. The interest data can be utilized to determine a set of attributes for participants, which in turn can assist a client to the participant analytics system (e.g., client associated with an organization) with collecting, visualizing, or taking action based on determined participant attributes (e.g., calculating and generating a graphical dashboard for participant metrics).

Abstract: A display apparatus acquires a history of view of information items related to products by a customer and information indicating a product that is not being provided to the customer or/and information indicating a product that is being provided to the customer, and displays, by using the history and the information, information related to the product that is not being provided to the customer among the products identified based on the history.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can present an index to success of a policy for guiding a customer's continuing state to a targeted state. [Solution] The information processing apparatus includes an output unit configured to output an index to success of a policy that guides a customer to a targeted state, the index being calculated on a basis of past information indicating a change in a continuing state of the customer and past information indicating whether or not the policy that guides the customer who has been changed to the targeted state has been implemented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for providing marketing management data for optimization of distribution and logistics and an apparatus for the same. The method and apparatus detect, in real time, respective purchase intentions of multiple users who access an online site, generate demand forecast data, in which items and regions are taken into consideration, based on respective pieces of user information and the purchase intentions of the multiple users, and generate and provide marketing management data for optimizing distribution and logistics of multiple items provided by the online site, based on the demand forecast data. Further, information that assists item sellers in managing inventory or in managing the supply and demand of products may be provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods generating a survey response based on an analysis of a communication provided by a user. The systems and methods may include receiving a data package sent in response to detecting a trigger event performed by a user, analyzing the data package to determine a user identification for the user, a user input, or an event type, and based on the analysis of the data package, identifying a first survey inquiry within a first electronic survey. Furthermore, the systems and methods may include formatting the first survey inquiry in an instant messenger format, providing, via an instant messenger platform, the formatted first survey inquiry to an instant messenger communication thread associated with the user, receiving an instant message response, and based on the instant message response, generating a survey response to the first survey inquiry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to measure mobile broadband market share. A disclosed example method involves invoking an adapter query on a computing device in response to detecting a request for Internet services, identifying a plurality of available adapters on the computing device based on the adapter query, and determining whether the computing device includes a mobile broadband service provider based on which one of the plurality of available adapters is servicing the request for Internet services.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining underserved regions based on transaction data. The method includes receiving, with at least one processor, transaction data associated with a plurality of transactions conducted in a first region, generating, with at least one processor, at least one metric based at least partially on the transaction data, determining, with at least one processor and based at least partially on the at least one metric, that the first region is underserved, generating, with at least one processor, at least one score for the first region based at least partially on the at least one metric, and correlating, with at least one processor, the at least one score with demographic data or map data associated with the first region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for store analysis are provided. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, customer congestion, sales information and a degree of correlation between the ROIs are analyzed for each of the ROIs of a user in a store, so that it is possible to provide information for optimizing locations of products displayed in the store, thereby making it possible to increase the sales of the store.

Abstract: Social network members control access to and utilization of their data. Static information associated with the member is acquired, and computer-based activities of the member are recorded to generate dynamic information associated with the member. A set of member preferences are acquired from the member, including an identification of a third party to whom access of the member profile is granted by the member in exchange for compensation to the member. A member profile is constructed including the static information associated with the member, the dynamic information associated with the member, and the member preferences. The member profile is transmitted to the third party identified in the member preferences, and compensation is provided to the member exchange for access to the member profile. The member profile is stored in a blockchain ledger and is updated by recording each computer-based activity to a record in the blockchain ledger.

Abstract: An electronic, computer-implementable promotion system and methodology communicate promotional content to consumers by way of a computer-implementable application implementable via a consumer computer and a computer-based data-processing environment. The consumer computer is necessarily in communication with a camera and implements a client-sided version of the computer-implementable application. The computer-based data processing environment is in communication with an information database and implements a server-sided version of the computer-implementable application. At least one retail package is outfitted with a photographable coded image having entry-identification information.

Abstract: A machine and process for managing a connection with a portable terminal may include a detector for detecting a person. A transmitter may be configured to transmit a wireless signal in response to the detector detecting a person within a predetermined range of the machine. A receiver may be configured to receive a connection request signal from the portable terminal that has received the wireless signal. An identification unit may be configured to identify, in response to receiving the connection request signal, a portable terminal in communication with the machine, and establish a connection with the identified portable terminal. The machine may be a vending machine or a beverage dispenser.