Abstract: A computer implemented method for adding value to a stored value card in excess of the purchase price for the stored value card is provided. In one embodiment a stored value card transaction processor receives an activation or redemption request for a stored value card from a point of sale terminal. The activation or redemption request comprises at least one of a card identification, a point of sale terminal identification, a merchant identification, and a time of activation which is compared to data stored in a stored value card datastore to determine if the stored value card to be activated is eligible for a value added award. The processor then determines the value added award and modifies the request to include the value added award. The processor then transmits the modified request to the card issuer authorization system and receives a response which is forwarded to the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for the generation and management of point-of-sale (POS) electronic payment transaction receipts. The system and method include a POS component that performs a transaction at a location at which a customer and the POS component are physically present together generates content relating to the transaction; and a payment card that identifies a contact address to which an electronic receipt is to be sent. The POS component generates the electronic receipt based on the content relating to the transaction and causes the electronic receipt to be sent to the contact address identified on the payment card. The electronic receipt management system and method are based on payment transaction receipt information across a plurality of merchants, providing customers with an efficient solution for managing their receipts, and allowing merchants to offer better and more targeted recommendations for customers.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting a next navigation event are described. Aspects of the disclosure minimize the delay between a navigation event and a network response by predicting the next navigation event. The system and method may then prerender content associated with the next navigation event. For example, the method and system may predict a likely next uniform resource locator during web browsing to preemptively request content from the network before the user selects the corresponding link on a web page. The methods describe a variety of manners of predicting the next navigation event, including examining individual and aggregate historical data, text entry prediction, and cursor input monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method that enables a business owner to receive leads such as phone calls or emails to their business at a prescribed cost-per-lead and a volume determined by the budget the owner is willing to allocate to the purchase. The method manages an internet based advertisement campaign, which includes performing the step of creating an internet based advertisement campaign that includes a budget parameter, a campaign duration parameter, advertisement content with a lead reference, and an ad listing with a URL that links to said advertisement content. Another embodiment of the method can include managing the bidding process for a multi-item keyword auction.

Abstract: A system and method for virally growing a social network. The social network system receives a member account sign-up message for a first social network from a first member. The social network system then posts a member sign-up notification to the first member's event wall on a second social network; wherein the first member has one or more social contacts through the second social network. For at least a second respective member in the one or more social contacts, the social network system posts a personalized invitation message as a comment to the member sign-up notification on the first member's event wall, wherein the comment is initially hidden from all members other than the second respective member of the one or more member contacts.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. An initial request for a resource is received. A determination is made when fixed or recyclable contact information should be provided with the resource, wherein the contact information is associated with a content sponsor that sponsored the resource. When recyclable contact information should be provided, first recyclable contact information for the content sponsor and time-out information are identified. The first recyclable contact information and the time-out information are combined in an identifier. The identifier is stored on the requesting device and the resource is provided including the first recyclable contact information responsive to the initial request.

Abstract: Secure device and proxy operation include generating, using a processor, a first proxy and a first proxy companion paired with the first proxy and providing the first proxy to a host data processing system for installation therein. The first proxy in the host data processing system and the first proxy companion communicate. A proxy change event for the host data processing system is detected. Responsive to the detecting, a second proxy and a second proxy companion paired with the second proxy are generated. The second proxy is provided to the host data processing system for installation therein.

Abstract: A social networking system provides verification of gift orders placed for restricted gifts. The restricted gift is subject to limitations on the giving and receiving of the gift, such as minimum age thresholds. A user purchasing the gift is directed from a social network to a landing page of a gifting system. At the landing page, the user provides login credentials to verify the user's identity within the purchase flow and prior to gift purchase. The social networking system verifies whether the login credentials match the user and determines whether the user may be permitted to purchase the restricted gift by comparing limitations of the restricted gift with profile information of the verified user. An order for the gift is provided to a gift delivery location where the recipient can receive the gift.

Abstract: An order setup module receives a plurality of gift rules from a first person. A gift order is generated that includes the gift rules. The gift order is associated with credentials for use by a second person to complete the gift order. A selected product and the credentials are received from the second person. A determination is made whether the selected product satisfies the gift rules. The selected product is used to complete the gift order in response to determining that the selected product satisfies the gift rules.

Abstract: There is provided a messaging automatic response service (ARS) server for transceiving an ARS text message with a mobile device. The messaging ARS server includes: a receiver configured to receive an ARS request text message sent by the mobile device from a message service center server; an ARS text message generator configured to analyze the received ARS request text message and generate an ARS response text message including at least one automatic response menu text; a transmitter configured to transmit the generated ARS response text message to the message service center server; a state information generator configured to generate state information corresponding to one or more of the received ARS request text message and the generated ARS response text message; and a state information transmitter configured to transmit the generated state information to a first apparatus of a voice ARS system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing options for scheduling ads is provided. In example embodiments, a list of one or more ads is presented to an operator. A selection of an ad to be placed into a schedule is received. Placement analysis is performed, using a hardware processor, to identify a plurality of placement options based on placing the ad into the schedule. The placement analysis includes determining a net difference metric value for each placement option. The net difference metric value is determined based on displacement of at least one previously scheduled ad in each placement option. The plurality of placement options are sorted according to a score derived from at least one value metric to create a result. The result is presented to the operator, whereby the result includes the score derived from the at least one value metric for each placement option.

Abstract: An interactive email experience is customized to the recipient's interests by modifying rich media components provided by the email based on the recipient's interactions with other rich media components from the email. To facilitate the interactive email experience, rich media components are provided by a marketer for an email campaign with mapping information mapping product features to portions of the rich media components. When an email is sent with links to the rich media components, the recipient's interactions with a rich media component is tracked. Product features are ranked based on the recipient's interactions with various portions corresponding with the various product features. The product feature rankings are then used to modify other rich media components from the email to emphasize portions of the other rich media components corresponding with product features of interest to the recipient.

Abstract: A method of resolving commercial content on a mobile communication device comprises determining whether to delegate interaction with an intelligent content distributor to the mobile communication device, wherein the interaction is related to resolving commercial content, wherein resolving commercial content comprises processing redirections of the commercial content, and wherein the commercial content comprises at least one of text, images, video, and other data intended to market a good or service; delaying resolving commercial content until the commercial content is to be displayed on the mobile communication device; caching commercial content on the mobile communication device; resolving, upon a request for the commercial content, a cached version of the commercial content; and prioritizing distribution of the commercial content based on characteristics of at least one of a requesting application and a user.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance convenience and service qualities in an information distribution system. In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD and stored in storage means such as an HDD is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing composite search results are disclosed. A system may receive input via a user interface of a device accessing a first website, and determine item listing information of an item listed for sale on a second website based on the received input, with the second website being different from the first website. The system may cause the item listing information to be displayed on the first website on the device via the user interface, and enable the device to interact with the second website, via the user interface, regarding the item listed for sale by interacting with the item listing information being displayed on the first website.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing information to a traffic system allowing a traffic system operator to make faster and better decisions related to whether or not to import specific break structure files. The system, via a dashboard, permits the traffic system operator to select a single network, a group of specific networks or all networks for importation of the specific break structure files. The system and method are configured to handle changes in any of three important programming categories, namely windows, breaks and programming content. The programming categories are separated into easy-to-read columns listing the number of changes for a given future time period allowing the traffic system operator to easily locate the changes. Such a system and method solves the problem of traffic system operators having to “blindly” import data.

Abstract: A method and system of verifying data stored in a database, by polling one or more computing devices. A server generates a poll object for a data item and a poll notification is transmitted to the one or more computing devices, whereupon users of the computing devices may respond to the poll notification and transmit responses. A set of response notifications is received and the server determines if the set of response notifications satisfies a quorum criterion. If the quorum criterion is satisfied, the server determines a data verification result, based on a tally criterion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to determining one or more user habits for a user. A group of one or more past user activity occurrences of a user may be determined based on similarity between the past user activity occurrences of the group. A user habit may be determined based on the past user activity occurrences of the group.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a promotion associated with a transaction account. Target viewer information associated with at least one person targeted to receive an ad is identified. In accordance with the target viewer information and the ad, a probability of the at least one person to accept the promotion is determined. Promotion information associated with the promotion is selected as a function of the determined probability, and the promotion information is transmitted to a computing device associated with the at least one person. An acceptance of the promotion is received from the computing device associated with the at least one person, and processed to associate the promotion with the transaction account.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for receiving a particular set of user data; obtaining a predictive model that estimates a likelihood of a user to order a food item, wherein the predictive model is generated using observation data that includes historic user data and user data from other user devices; providing the particular set of user data to the predictive model; obtaining an indication of a likelihood of the user to order a food item; based on the indication of a likelihood of the user to order a food item, determining whether to output a notification on the user device inviting the user to order a food item; and in response to determining to output a notification on the user device inviting the user to order a food item, selectively outputting a notification on the user device inviting the user to order a food item.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for applying a rebate or promotion associated with a transaction account. Offer information representing an offer for a promotion or rebate provided to a purchaser is received, and at least some of the offer information is processed to associate the purchaser with at least one transaction account. Account information representing the at least one transaction account associated with the purchaser is transmitted to a computing device associated with the first party. Transaction information representing a transaction associated with the offer information and the account information is received from a computing device associated with the first party or a second party, and is processed to associate the transaction with the transaction account associated with the purchaser and the promotion or rebate. The rebate or promotion is applied as a function of the transaction information.

Abstract: Provided is a method of a host device managing at least one external device connected to the host device through a management server. The method includes: obtaining measurement information measured by the at least one external device; requesting authorization by the management server; transmitting the obtained measurement information to the management server when the authentication succeeds; receiving management information for managing the at least one external device, where the management information is generated based on the measurement information by the management server; and managing the at least one external device based on the received management information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor impressions of social media messages. An example method includes logging, at a server, a first impression for a first social media message based on a first universal resource locator corresponding to a first request requesting media, the first request sent in response to accessing the first social media message to be presented with the media. The method also includes logging, at the server, a second impression for a second social media message based on a second universal resource locator corresponding to a second request requesting the media, the second request sent in response to accessing the second social media message to be presented with the media.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for providing media content in an interactive manner. A first server provides first content to a remote client. When it is determined that the first content meets a predefined condition, the first server suspends providing the first content to the remote client, and obtains media content and corresponding content inquiries from a second server that is distinct from the first server. The media content and the content inquiries are provided to the remote client that is configured to render the media content and the content inquiries on its display to the user and receive user responses to the content inquires. Then, the first server receives the user responses from the remote client, updates the user's account when the user responses satisfy predefined response criteria, and resumes providing the first content to the remote client based on the updated user account.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for creating, updating, and deleting business rules with ease by use of a rule manager. Business rules are represented as tables that map a set of inputs to a set of outputs. Inputs are represented as enumerations with predefined allowable values. All possible unique combinations of values for a given set of inputs are automatically generated, and a business user can then set the outputs for each desired input value combination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring a user device to provide a preferred payment method for payments. When a user carries their device into a store, the device may receive information from a beacon at the store that informs the device that the user is at the store. The user device may the use the information to determine which of several payment methods will provide a maximum benefit to the user if used for a payment at that store. The benefits to the user may include points, store rewards, miles, cash back rewards or other rewards associated with a particular payment method that, at a particular time or location provide more benefit to the user than other payment methods. The user device may be configured to provide the preferred payment method prior to a communication between the user device and a point of sale device of the store.

Abstract: A method and system for use of a game with charity donations. In one example, a donation agent interacting with a merchant website can offer an online user an option to allocate at least a portion of a payment for or price of a purchase, associated with a transaction made by the user via the merchant website, to be donated by a merchant (corresponding to the merchant website), on behalf of the user, to a charity of the user's choosing. The donation agent can disburse the calculated donation amount to the charity selected by the customer. The points earned can be combined with a college scholarship award mechanism. The game encourages people to participate in the charity in a fun way, e.g., as a hobby every day, with a large user base.

Abstract: The systems and methods may be used to recommend an item to a consumer. The methods may comprise determining, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, a consumer relevance value associated with an item, and transmitting, based on the consumer relevance value, information associated with the item to a consumer. A collaborative filtering algorithm may receive as an input a transaction history associated with the consumer, a demographic of the consumer, a consumer profile, a type of transaction account, a transaction account associated with the consumer, a period of time that the consumer has held a transaction account, a size of wallet, and/or a share of wallet. The method may further comprise generating a ranked list of items based upon consumer relevance values, transmitting a ranked list of items to a consumer, and/or re-ranking a ranked list of items based upon a merchant goal.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to providing access to media content for travelers during a trip, where the trip may include lodging, transit, and/or activities. A service provider may obtain information about a user and a trip. The service provider may determine information about the user, such as account information that may identify media content that is typically accessible by the user. An amount of available space on a device may be determined that can be used to store prefetched content for the trip. Recommended content may be selected to fill the amount of space on the device. The recommended content may be based on information about the user, information about the trip, and/or other information. The recommended content may be downloaded onto the device prior to the trip so that the user has access to the content from the device during the trip.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users. Specifically, a collaboration tool is configured to receive, from a social media application, an indication of a geolocation of a first user, as well as information about an availability of the first user. A second user is notified about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user, which is used to generate a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, an availability of the second user, and a location of the second user. The second user is automatically notified about the collaborative meeting event, which may be automatically scheduled in a calendar application. As such, the collaboration tool unifies user geolocation and availability information in order to connect interested users with one another in a mutually beneficial way.

Abstract: A TV apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a TV body configured to display an image, and a camera module configured to be driven, in a case the TV body is protruded.

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a meta-social graph. In accordance with one implementation, a computerized method comprises collecting a plurality of different online identities of a first online user, each of the different online identities corresponding to a unique social network system. The method also includes collecting a plurality of communication data associated with the first user and determining bi-directional connections of the first user with other users from the collected communication data. In addition, the method may also include creating a meta-social graph from the determined bi-directional connections and the plurality of different online identities and generating a global identifier for the first user. The method also includes storing, in at least one memory device, the meta-social graph with at least one of the generated global identifier, the determined bi-directional connections, and the collected communication data.

Abstract: A method of controlling free phone calls places from within a secured premises through an institutional phone system generally includes assigning a unique access identifier to an individual caller upon entry into the secured premises; receiving a destination number front the individual caller within the secured premises, the destination number being associated with a telephone located outside the secured premises; determining if the destination number is a per se free number, and, if the destination number is not determined to be a per se free number: receiving the unique access identifier from the individual caller; validating the unique access identifier; and, if the unique access identifier is valid, processing a telephone call to the destination number.

Abstract: A system and method for generating, presenting, transferring, and tracking personal, product, organizational information or the like as a microsite that mimics the look and feel of a business card in a manner that is adaptive to the platform on which the microsite displays. A microsite may be associated with a product, person, organization or other entity, and may be grouped together with other microsites in various associations. Share activity of the microsites between users may be tracked to generated share analytics on the shared microsites.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems, comprising determining a presence of a first occupant in a first room at a predefined location, the first room communicatively coupled to a first electronic device capable of receiving input; receiving a request for communication with the first occupant by a remote computer system; sending a response to the request for communication with the first occupant; and establishing a communications link between the first electronic device and the remote computer system.

Abstract: A printed calendar, method and system for preparing the printed calendar, and system for redeeming virtual goods are provided herein. The printed calendar includes at least one form sheet having printed thereon one or more occurrences of time. The one or more occurrences of time being coupled with at least one viewing panel capable of hiding and revealing an image. The printed calendar further includes at least one back sheet having printed thereon at least one graphical representation associated with the one or more occurrences of time. The at least one graphical representation being aligned with the form sheet, such that, the graphical representation is visible through the at least one viewing panel coupled to the one or more occurrences of time. The at least one graphical representation representing a virtual good accessible to the selected recipient at one of the one or more occurrences of time.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a profile/content system generates, accesses, and/or serves a compilation profile for targeting content to identifiable communication devices (“ICDs”). The compilation profile can include data associated with a user of an ICD, and the profile/content system obtains the data from multiple data sources. The data sources can include a particular ICD and can also include particular applications running on the ICD and other data sources such as web sites and data aggregators that store data associated with the IDC user. The profile/content system can operate in a variety of modes depending upon a type of request received by the profile/content system. Exemplary modes are: (1) a direct content provision mode, (2) an indirect content provision mode, and (3) a compilation profile provision mode. In at least one embodiment, in the direct content provision mode, the profile/content system receives a request for content directly via an ICD.

Abstract: A computing method and system is disclosed for analyzing interactions between a user and a customer support agent. Typical interactions include inquiries about a product or service, and a service call. When the user purchases a good or service, or successfully completes a service call, the customer converts, e.g. the sales pitch or service solution was successful. If the customer does not convert, then the interaction between user and agent is analyzed to determine why the user did not convert and whether the user should be categorized for potential retargeting.

Abstract: A globalization management system for managing resources of multiple interrelated data sources corresponding to a plurality of sites accessed through a communications network is provided. The system includes a plurality of target application interfaces respectively coupled to the interrelated data sources through the network. Each interface includes systems for converting a protocol of the respective data source to a predetermined protocol, and the predetermined protocol to the protocol of the respective data source. The system further includes a global management engine coupled to the plurality of target application interfaces. The engine includes a site-to-site relationship manager, a system for reading current content data from the interrelated data sources, a system for comparing the current content data with prior content data, and a project manager for transferring the data identified as a content change to at least one of the interrelated data sources that has been identified as a subscriber site.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a promotion associated with a transaction account. Advertising targeting criteria to target at least one person to receive a respective advertisement for the promotion is submitted to a computing device associated with a data management platform. Viewer information associated with at least one person targeted to receive the respective advertisement is received and processed to assess a value of the at least one person. Thereafter, a bid value that is representative of the assessed value and associated with presenting the respective advertisement is transmitted to a computing device associated with an advertisement exchange. An acceptance of the promotion is received, and the promotion information is processed to associate the promotion with the transaction account.

Abstract: Customers receive advertisements or “impressions” related to brick and mortar merchants while accessing online content. The merchants or other entities track which impressions correlate with customers coming to a physical store and conducting a transaction (e.g., making a purchase) by comparing transaction information with information about the customer that is provided by the source of online impressions. In one implementation, the merchant creates a hash from the customer's name and account number on a payment card. This hash is compared with a hash from the impression provider that is generated using the same technique. When a match is found, it is inferred that exposure to the online impression caused the customer to make a purchase at the physical store. Merchants may pay the impression providers an advertising or referral fee based on the matches.

Abstract: Smooth navigation can be provided when switching between content oriented pages by presenting an intermediate page while the requested page is being received and rendered. The intermediate page can be the current page but without navigational features. Alternatively, the intermediate page can be an advertisement provided by the source of the requested page.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a tag in an environment where the same frequency band is in use and an NFC device for the same are provided. Depending on whether a radio channel is in use, the NFC device changes a first operation mode to a second operation mode, requests slot assignment for tag recognition at the second operation mode, and changes the second operation mode back to the first operation mode to perform a tag recognition process at an assigned slot.

Abstract: This document describes techniques (300, 600, 700) and apparatuses (106, 800) for distributing metadata to peer devices. These techniques (300, 600, 700) and apparatuses (106, 800) enable a receiver device (106) store or create metadata associated with content streamed from one or more peer devices. The receiver device can distribute this metadata to other peer devices thereby enabling identification or procurement of the content at the other peer devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a churn rate associated with subscribers of social network services are described. In some example embodiments, the systems and methods may access activity information associated with a former subscriber of a social network service, compare the accessed activity information to activity information associated with subscribers of the social network service, identify one or more differences between the activity information associated with the former subscriber of the social network service and the activity information associated with the subscribers of the social network service, and perform an action based on the identified one or more differences.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automated management of campaigns using scripted rules.

Abstract: Delivery of a wrap package in response to the selection of an advertisement appearing in a web page, social media feed or in an email, text or other electronic message. In some embodiments, the advertisement may be a “cover” for the wrap package that contains an identifier associate with the wrap. When the cover is selected, the identifier is used to access and deliver the wrap package to the requesting device. In other embodiments, the advertisement may contain a link including the identifier that is then used to retrieve and deliver the wrap when the link is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online to offline commerce are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system configured to receive a request to check-in a customer at a merchant facility is disclosed. The system receives a request to access real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with a first customer and transmits the real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with the first customer to a mobile client device. The request to check-in and the request to access the real-time pre-sale transaction data are transmitted by the first mobile client device. The system is configured to authenticate the request to check-in at the merchant facility, process the request to access the real-time pre-sale transaction data, and responsively access the real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with the first customer from a point of sale device located at the merchant facility.