Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for adjusting ordinal positions for content item slots in response to determining that a content item slot with a highest slot ordinal position relative to the other content item slots in a resource is not within a viewport area. Adjusting the adjusting ordinal positions of either the content item slots or content items to be served in the content item slots ensures that a content item slot in the viewport displays a content item with a highest respective ordinal position in a ranking relative to other content items is rendered in the content item slot within the viewport area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to linking a monetary value card with a payment card. In some embodiments, a payer uses a gift card to pay for a purchase. The gift card is swiped by a point of sale (POS) system, and a computer system processes a payment. The computer system causes the POS system to display a message prompting the payer to provide an email address for an electronic receipt. The payer provides the email address, which the computer system uses to determine that the payer has a payment card. The computer system sends a message to the payer asking if he would like to link the gift card with the payment card, to which the payer responds affirmatively. The payer later uses the payment card to initiate a payment, and the computer system processes the payment based on the gift card that is linked with the payment card.

Abstract: System and method for collecting object identification data from a plurality of objects that interact with a vehicle during operation of the vehicle, where the vehicle interacts with specific objects at specific geographical positions. An identification sensor is coupled to a geographical position sensor, and whenever an object is identified a record is generated, the record including the identification of the object, the position of the vehicle when the interaction between the object and the vehicle occurs, and the time of the interaction. Exemplary objects include passengers, containers, and documents. Exemplary interactions include loading/unloading an object from the vehicle, boarding a passenger, unloading a passenger, transferring a bulk material from the vehicle into a specific container, and/or transferring a bulk material from a specific container to the vehicle. The record may also include additional data about a parameter of the object (such as the object's weight, volume, or temperature).

Abstract: Disclosed is a card payment apparatus. An aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a card payment apparatus, which is accessed to a portable communication apparatus or a computer without a card terminal, and then, performs a payment process by using a contactless card or a contact card.

Abstract: A user device having a voice recognition function and an operation method thereof are provided. The operation method includes detecting whether there is an input from at least one sensor in response to execution of an application which may use voice recognition and activating or inactivating the voice recognition in response to the detection of the input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing an exception to a parking restriction, the exception being a parking area defined by one or more coordinates, includes monitoring an area including the parking area; detecting a vehicle in the monitored area; determining whether the detected vehicle is positioned within the parking area; and determining whether the vehicle has permission to park in the parking area. The parking area is not marked on the road.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a user interface, circuitry, and an image forming device. The user interface receives, from an applicant, an instruction for selecting a desired application form having an entry field in which personal information is to be entered, and receives an input of individual authentication information of the applicant. The circuitry unlocks an IC card based upon the individual authentication information of the applicant to acquire personal information of the applicant from the IC card, and generates an application form for output from a template of the selected application form and the personal information acquired from the IC card. The image forming device outputs the generated application form.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for employee time entry using an automation and security system. An apparatus for employee time entry includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to request employee login at a control panel of an automation and security system at initiation of the employee's work shift, request employee logout at the control panel at completion of the employee's work shift, and collect data related to at least one of employee work hours, shift frequency, and employee cost.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for updating merchant information regarding card-not-present recurring payment (CNP/RP) transactions is provided, wherein the method involves a recurring transaction initiated by a cardholder using payment card information stored by a merchant. The method includes querying a database coupled to a payment network to identify a candidate payment card having stale payment card data. The stale payment card data includes at least an existing expiration date that is within a predetermined period of time of a selected calendar date. The method also includes querying the database to identify at least one recent transaction involving the candidate payment card. The recent transaction includes payment card data having an updated expiration date. The method further includes notifying the merchant that the existing expiration date has been replaced with the updated expiration date.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for managing and evaluating leads from incoming calls are provided. A first inbound call from a first caller may be received. A first set of information identifying characteristics of the first inbound call may be processed. A second set of information identifying characteristics of the first inbound call may be determined based on the first set of information. A first category may be matched to the first inbound call. A first receiver may be determined. A second inbound call from a second caller may be received. A third set of information identifying characteristics of the second inbound call may be processed. A fourth set of information identifying characteristics of the second inbound call may be determined based on the third set of information. A second category may be matched to the second inbound call. A second receiver may be determined.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for disambiguating ambiguous queries based on location information. The system receives a query and location information for where the query was transmitted. Business information is requested from a GPS service. Based on the business information, a plurality of item categories are constrained to an item category related to the business information that satisfies the query. The constrained item category is sent to the user. The system may detect the absence of an item category related to the business information that satisfies the query, and may then determine one or more item category that does not meet the query but is related to the business information, to provide to the user. Other information related to the transmission of the query, such as the type of device, background audio, and the activity of the user, may used to constrain the plurality of item categories.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing installation employs multiple fuel islands with fuel dispensers and multiple fuel/travel lanes. The installation employs a communication/controller system for automatically identifying a vehicle, and upon authorizing the vehicle, allowing fuel to be dispensed to said vehicle, determining the quantity of fuel dispensed to the vehicle and securing the dispenser when the vehicle leaves a detection zone. The detection system employs RFID tags placed at both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle. Generally oppositely oriented antennas define a detection zone for each of the lanes. A light indicates whether the vehicle is authorized for receiving fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing negotiable economic credits through, or at the request of, a hand held device in association with a third-party provider communicative with the hand held device and/or a point of sale. At least one negotiable economic credit can be transferred from a third-party provider communicative with the hand held device to the hand held device and/or point of sale. The negotiable economic credit can be stored within a memory of the hand held device and/or point of sale for retrieval and processing at a point of sale associated with a retail establishment and/or by a hand held device. The negotiable economic credit can be associated with a security module for protecting the privacy of the negotiable economic credit. A user profile can be compiled for utilization during the retrieval of the negotiable economic credit.

Abstract: Processing of a transaction involving one or more third-parties and offers is described. Certain embodiments allow for suspending a received authorization request message which includes a transaction amount and a token mapped to a primary account number. One or more third-parties may be queried for an offer or discount eligible towards the transaction. The authorization request message may be adjusted to reflect one or more eligible offers from the one or more third-parties. The authorization request message may also be adjusted to replace the token with the mapped PAN. The authorization request message may then be sent to an issuer for further processing.

Abstract: A component carrier can have a housing forming a receiving space configured to receive at least one component through a receiving opening. A pivotable sidewall can be coupled to the housing and transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A releasable latch coupled to the front portion of the housing capable of being secured the pivotable sidewall in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the receiving opening is accessible. In the closed configuration, the pivotable sidewall secured to the housing by the releasable latch and the receiving opening is inaccessible.

Abstract: Confidential content within a file is masked for display on a flexible display device. A legend relating the masking to the confidential content is displayed in a hidden area created by bending the flexible display device. The flexible display device monitors secondary users and their gaze towards the flexible display device and the hidden area to determine if unauthorized secondary users can see the display and hidden area of the flexible display device.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus according to this invention, a plurality of pieces of batch setting information each configured by a plurality of pieces of print setting information are registered in advance. A setting of print setting information, use of which is inhibited, of the plurality of pieces of print setting information is accepted. Batch setting information including the print setting information, use of which is inhibited, is specified from the plurality of pieces of batch setting information. Then, a setting screen which allows the user to select pieces of non-specified batch setting information, and does not allow the user to select the specified batch setting information is displayed.

Abstract: A time a user of a client application is likely to access a preferred network connection is predicted. A pre-download index for one or more multimedia content items is calculated, where the pre-download index represents how likely the user is to interact with the one or more multimedia content items at approximately the predicted time. The indexed multimedia content items are ranked based on the pre-download index of each of the one or more multimedia content items. The ranked multimedia content items are provided to the client application at the predicted time.

Abstract: A method for authorizing access to goods and services, including issuing an access voucher by a voucher issuing device, the access voucher having identification of the goods and services and an identification of the point of sale, presenting the access voucher to a reading device of the point of sale, transferring the identification of the goods and services and the identification of the point of sale by the reading device to a processing device of the point of sale, the processing device having access to a database with stored identification of goods and services and to a database with stored identification of the point of sale, comparing the transferred identification of goods and services and the transferred identification of the point of sale by the processing device with the stored identification of the goods and services and the stored identification of the point of sale, and authorizing access to the goods if the identification matches.

Abstract: A coupon issuing system and a method for managing coupons used for purchasing items of goods. A coupon issuing device receives a request from a user for a coupon pertaining to purchasing an item of goods. The coupon issuing device issues to the user ticket information corresponding to the item. The ticket information includes a coupon identifier (ID) that identifies a coupon for purchasing the item, information pertaining to the user, and a current discount for discounting the item's purchase price. A coupon issuance control server receives notification that the user has exercised the coupon for purchasing the item. The coupon issuance control server transmits a calculated number of remaining exercisable coupons to an advertising contents management server to facilitate display of the number of remaining exercisable coupons to users requesting coupons for purchase of the item.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting content to a device are described herein. Methods include receiving location information relating to a device that is usable to identify an approximate location of the device; comparing the approximate location of the device with a location of a venue; and transmitting content to the device if the approximate location of the device is within a pre-determined range of the location of the venue for a predetermined range of time. The user can receive the content without the need for the user to be aware of and seek out that content. The transmission of content to the device may depend not only on the user's location, but also on the amount of time the user is at the location. Content may be selected based upon whether the approximate location of the device is within pre-determined ranges of the location of the venue.

Abstract: A tape-based data storage system, according to one embodiment, includes: a tape library having: a plurality cells, each of the cells being configured to store one or more tape cartridges therein, and at least an antenna of a near field communication reader positioned at each of the cells. Moreover, each of the antennas are positioned relative the associated cell to be in direct communication with a near field communication tag coupled to a tape cartridge stored in the associated cell. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for electronic gift giving. An exemplary embodiment includes providing an internet site for access by a giver, prompting the giver to enter giver identification information, prompting the giver to enter recipient information, prompting the giver to enter a value of a monetary gift, providing a plurality of possible recommended gifts or transfers of funds, prompting the giver to recommend at least one gift or transfer of funds to be effectuated using the monetary gift, prompting the giver to select a presentation template from a plurality of recommended presentation templates, prompting the giver to transfer the value of the monetary gift to a gift account, and storing the value of the monetary gift and the at least one recommended gift or transfer in association with the presentation template for delivery to a recipient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may use GPS, barcodes, RF signals, or other electronic technologies, individually or in combination, to identify a location of a substation at which a switching operation is to occur. At the substation location, a device camera or other optical or radio frequency reading apparatus may be used to scan a barcode or other visible indicia to confirm that the correct device or component is being switched before progressing to the next step in the switching order. RF identification, magnetic striping, and other technologies may also be used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting a request are disclosed. The systems and methods may include one or more steps, such as receiving, by an electronic device, request information from an entity. The request information may include a request for approval by a user. The steps may further include transmitting, by the electronic device, data containing the request information to a computing device, receiving, by the electronic device, a symbology corresponding to the request information from the computing device and presenting, by the electronic device, the symbology to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for the purchase of and/or free sampling of products. The systems, methods, and/or apparatus may permit push notifications of purchased products and/or free product samples being available and may permit the use of mobile devices and/or mobile device applications to be used to purchase products or dispense free samples of products via a product dispenser or vending machine.

Abstract: An application processing method and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes: analyzing an operation right of an application when the application executes an invoking operation for a fee deduction event; allowing the application to execute the invoking operation if the application has an operation right for the fee deduction event; and forbidding the application from executing the invoking operation if the application does not have the operation right for the fee deduction event. In the present disclosure, it is not necessary to scan an application every time the application runs. It is only necessary to determine the operation right of the application, which cuts down processing time and avoids waste of system resources, while at the same time does not require participation of the user and facilitates the user to use. In this way, the user experience is improved.

Abstract: A computer system and associated methods for verifying user identities online. Identity claims made by a requestor of an online access and/or a trusted transaction may be verified by associating digital credentials to verified personal identification information (PII) retrieved from real world events. PII item(s) may be retrieved from third-party verified identity information sources. Verified personal attributes related to PII items may be identified and correlated with the requestor's digital credentials, and stored to a verified identity record. Additional digital credentials for the same requestor may be similarly identified, correlated, and stored to the verified identity record. A subsequent transaction request by a person claiming the requestor's identity may be compared with the verified identity record. An identity match indicator and/or a match confidence score may be created and used to determine the risk that the identity claim by the person requesting the transaction is false.

Abstract: A system and method for vending digital video discs is provided. A request is received from a user to complete a rental transaction for a first digital video disc. A database is queried to determine whether a quantity of a set of second digital video discs in a vending inventory exceeds a predetermined threshold. A discount offer notification is presented to the user to rent one of the set of second digital video discs, upon determining that the quantity of the set of second digital video discs exceeds the predetermined threshold. A second request from the user to rent one of the second set of digital video discs is received, and one of the set of second digital video discs is vended to the user.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enable predictions helpful to viewers to be preferentially presented. An information processing apparatus accepts dopester's purchase of a voting ticket for voting a race target participating in a race. The information processing apparatus accepts a prediction of the dopester for a race for which purchase of a voting ticket is accepted, the prediction including a race target predicted by the dopester. The information processing apparatus determines a coincidence between a promising bet of a race target of a voting ticket whose purchase is accepted and a prediction accepted by the prediction acceptance means per dopester. The information processing apparatus determines a prediction of which of a first dopester and a second dopester is preferentially presented to viewers based on coincidences determined for the first dopester and the second dopester, respectively.

Abstract: A product dispenser includes a product sampling portion configured to contain a product to be sampled. The product sampling portion includes a product sample dispenser. A packaged product portion is configured to contain and dispense a packaged product corresponding to a product to be sampled.

Abstract: A transaction card comprising, such as a credit card or debit card, includes transaction card serial number information that identifies the transaction card, sender authentication information identifiable by location information and location information is on the transaction card. In addition, account information is also on the transaction card.

Abstract: A practice hockey puck locker which is mounted on an upstanding wall member. The locker includes a first upstanding first rectangular tube, having open upper and lower ends, a second tubular member, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from the lower end of the first tubular member and a third tubular member, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from the lower end of the third tubular member. A puck dispenser housing is secured to the lower end of the third tubular member. A key operated dead bolt is positioned on the dispenser housing which is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions. When the dead bolt is in the locked position, the pucks cannot be dispensed from the dispenser housing. When the dead bolt is in the unlocked position, the pucks may fall from the lower end of the discharge dispenser.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic image object or logo recognition.

Abstract: A system and method of performing identity verification based on the use of mobile phones or mobile computing devices in conjunction with a secure identity authority; said method to be used as an alternative to conventional identity verification using paper-based documents such as driver's licenses and passports. The new method improves speed, accuracy, cost, and reliability of identity verification for entities that need to verify identity, as well as convenience for end-users.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a kiosk deployed at a customer location communicates a plurality of financial products available for provisioning by the kiosk and, for each financial product, one or more vendors that offers the financial product. The kiosk provisions a selected one of the financial products in response to input from a user. The input indicates the selected financial product and a selected one of the vendors.

Abstract: A card reader may include a card insertion port; a card conveying passage; and a card lock mechanism. The card lock mechanism may include a motor; a rotation shaft; a gear provided with a power transmission gear part and a ratchet gear part; a clutch mechanism disposed between the rotation shaft and the gear; a ratchet member to engage with the ratchet gear part; a cam member held by the rotation shaft; a torque limiter which is disposed between the rotation shaft and the cam member; an urging member which urges the ratchet member in a direction where the cam follower is contacted with the cam face; a stopper for restricting a turnable range of the cam member; and a lock member.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system and method using personalized, 3D interactive animations across screen barriers. Via auditory, behavior, visual, or computer-inputted cues, preloaded images, sounds, and gestures as well as customized images, sounds, and gestures can be manipulated and sent into and across one or more videoconference feeds in the form of animated sequences. These images, sounds, and gestures can be mapped onto the images of users' faces or other features within the video feed frame.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device is provided that includes a main body having a receiving space, a cover that is rotatably connected to the main body for covering the receiving space, a circuit board, and a storage device that is removably mounted in the cover. The POS device further includes two displays that are mounted outside of the main body and the cover. The main body and the cover are mechanically coupled by two hinges and a lock. Two ends of each hinge are respectively connected to inner sides of the cover and the main body at a first side. The lock is provided at a second side, which is opposite the first side, to lock the cover to the main body.

Abstract: A database device stores a plurality of data records comprising package parameters, each data record corresponding to a unique URL. Each unique URL corresponds to one of a plurality of different, unique, individual scannable codes printed on individual packages so that each data record corresponds to a scannable code which corresponds to an individual package. A parameter portal provides to the database device individual package parameters which correspond to an individual scannable code on each individual package. An access portal provides selective access to at least some of the individual package parameters stored in the database device based on the unique URL. Systems, methods, databases, and computer readable media storing computer executable instructions for individualized product packages are provided. An enabler processor provides the codes and a loader processor linked to the enabler processor populates a selectively accessible database with information corresponding to the code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database.

Abstract: A method and associated system for managing an item in a place. The method detects that: (i) the item in the place is being moved, (ii) an operating object inside the place is moving, and (iii) the operating object inside the place and the item in the place are within a previously specified distance of each other. Responsive to the previous detections, it is determined that the operating object does not have a reservation for borrowing the item, from which it is determined that the operating object has illegitimately taken the item, which triggers preventing the operating object from removing the item from the place.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a vending machine with a video communications device includes securing a video communications device with a mounting feature of the video communications device removably coupled with a mounting location on a vending machine. The video communications device includes a video communications module for real-time interactions with a ticket office. The video communications module includes a display, a camera, a speaker, and a microphone. The video communications device includes a video communication device communications interface. The method includes electronically coupling the video communications device with a power supply of the vending machine and communicatively coupling the video communications device with the vending machine such that functions of the vending machine are controllable using the video communications device. The method includes communicatively coupling the video communications device with the ticket office for real-time video communications with the ticket office.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting content to a device. In some embodiments, methods include receiving location information relating to a device, the location information usable to identify an approximate location of the device; comparing the approximate location of the device with a location of a venue, wherein the venue is associated with at least one feature; and transmitting content to the device if the approximate location of the device is within a pre-determined range of the location of the venue, wherein at least a portion of the content relates to the at least one feature. In certain embodiments, the user receives the content without the need for the user to be aware of and seek out that content. In certain embodiments, the content may have a relationship to the particular venue, or in other words, the content may be applied for use at that venue. In certain embodiments the transmission of content to the device depends not only on the user's location, but also on the particular time of transmission.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary systems and methods for using gaming scrips in a gaming environment. The gaming scrips have pre-printed face values and machine-readable unique identifiers located thereon, and are loaded into any of various currency-handling devices. The gaming scrips may be activated either before being loaded into a currency-handling device or at the time of dispensing therefrom. Once validated in the gaming environment, the gaming scrips may be collected, sorted, reactivated, and reused in the gaming environment.

Abstract: A method for managing the charging of an electric vehicle. The method includes receiving a request for a charge transfer for an electric vehicle over a network link between an electric vehicle charging station and a cloud server. The network link has a mobile device disposed between the electrical vehicle charging station and the cloud server for facilitating communication between the charging station and the cloud server.

Abstract: A time a user of a client application is likely to access a preferred network connection is predicted. A pre-download index for one or more multimedia content items is calculated, where the pre-download index represents how likely the user is to interact with the one or more multimedia content items at approximately the predicted time. The indexed multimedia content items are ranked based on the pre-download index of each of the one or more multimedia content items. The ranked multimedia content items are provided to the client application at the predicted time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a message communication method of transmitting and receiving a certain message, independently of any network, without privacy invasion issues. The method includes generating vendor specific data on the basis of input information, adding the generated vendor specific data to a P2P information element of a probe request frame, and transmitting the probe request frame to another message communication apparatus. Thus, an apparatus conforming to a Wi-Fi Direct standard may transmit/receive a certain message to/from another terminal independently of a use region, a use environment, and a network of a large telecommunication vendor, without privacy invasion issues.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method, system, and computer program product for verifying a parameter on a computing node. The method can include accessing a first dynamically generated encoded visual representation from a computing node. The method can also include identifying one or more parameters of the computing node from the first dynamically generated encoded visual representation. The method can also include determining whether the computing node has a first parameter from the one or more parameters. The method can also include displaying the first parameter in response to the computing node having the first parameter.

Abstract: A method of managing transfer of cash, or other valuable media, is described. The method comprises: providing, to a first location, details of cash (or other media) to be loaded into a machine-readable cash container; associating the cash details with a unique identifier associated with the cash container; and storing the associated unique identifier and cash details. The method includes, at a subsequent time, receiving, from a second location to which the cash container has been transported, a request including the unique identifier read from the cash container; accessing the stored cash details using the unique identifier; and providing the stored cash details to the second location.