Abstract: A device may receive information that identifies a toll-free data service campaign to be tested. The device may receive information that identifies a network to be used to test the toll-free data service campaign. The device may deploy the toll-free data service campaign on the network by deploying a campaign rule, associated with the toll-free data service campaign, that identifies a condition for charging a content provider, associated with the toll-free data service campaign, for data used by a mobile device in association with the toll-free data service campaign. The device may determine a testing criteria for testing the toll-free data service campaign on the network. The device may test the toll-free data service campaign on the network using the testing criteria. The device may determine a test result based on testing the toll-free data service campaign, and may provide information that identifies the test result.

Abstract: Content is obtained from a webpage accessed via a URI, which URI is obtained from a URI queue. The content is parsed for price and product information according to a parse map, with the resulting parse result being stored. The priority of URIs in the URI queue is adjusted based on analysis of the parse result for changes in price and product attributes and according to other criteria. The parse map may be one associated with the URI or a general purpose parse maps. The parse result may be validated by human- and machine-based systems, including by graphically labeling price and product information in the content for human confirmation or correction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for information management are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a signal from a vehicle sensor, the signal related to a condition of a vehicle, determining a new alert from the signal, and comparing the new alert with a currently provided alert. Some embodiments include determining a priority of the new alert and, in response to determining that the new alert has a higher priority than the currently provided alert, determining whether to output the currently provided alert in a minimized form, providing the new alert for output on a primary output device, and providing the currently provided alert in the minimized form.

Abstract: A system includes a transaction handler configured to split a transaction, initiated between an acquirer processor representing a merchant and an issuer processor representing an account holder, into separate transactions with the issuer processor and at least one sponsor processor that is configured to provide the benefit of offers to applicable transactions. A portal is configured to notify the account holder of the award/redemption of the benefit of an offer using a communication channel separate from the transaction terminal that initiates and approves the transaction between the account holder and the merchant.

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: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for detecting an initiation of a transaction and generating a string of characters based on the detection. A subset of characters of the string of characters is presented in such a way as to be distinguished from remaining characters of the string of characters. In various example embodiments, the transaction is validated based on an identification of the subset of characters of the string of characters.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a receiving unit and a determining unit. The receiving unit receives an application request to request an application for a service. The application request includes first information identifying a type of the service. When the receiving unit receives the application request, the determining unit determines third information indicating an authority to use the service by combining the first information included in the application request and second information used for identifying a user to whom the service is to be provided.

Abstract: A digital document display device capable of displaying a document, retrieving updates, sharing locally with other devices, managing document displays in other digital document display devices in proximity, etc. A e-paper based display unit of the digital document display device is configured to read and display the display image. A motion detector unit helps detect human motion, so that the digital document display device may be set to a low power mode, or powered off, etc. if no humans are detected in the vicinity. A renewable energy power unit is also provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to allowing a recipient of a closed-loop gift card to select one of a number of merchants toward which to apply the value. A consumer buys a variable gift card from a service provider for a set amount, pays the service provider that amount, and the service provider holds that amount in escrow. The consumer sends the gift card to a recipient with a predetermined merchant. The recipient receives the gift card and decides to switch the gift card from the predetermined merchant to a desired merchant. The recipient requests the service provider to change the merchant, and the service provider delivers the amount from escrow to the desired merchant. If the recipient does desire to use the predetermined merchant, the recipient contacts the service provider for activation and the service provider transfers the amount to the predetermined merchant.

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: A wireless device is enabled to provide offers. The wireless device receives card data for a financial account card and stores the card data in a memory associated with the wireless device. Responsive to using the card data in a transaction at a first merchant location, the wireless device receives transaction line-item data from a computing system associated with the first merchant location. The wireless device determines merchant information for a second merchant location and determines an offer associated with the second merchant location based on the line-item data and the merchant information for the second merchant. The wireless device presents the offer when the wireless device is near the second merchant location.

Abstract: A method for identifying a payment card holder preference for a certain sales technique. The method involves retrieving, from one or more databases, a first set of information including purchasing and payment activity information attributable to one or more payment card holders; retrieving, from one or more databases, a second set of information including merchant information associated with the purchasing and payment activity; retrieving, from one or more databases, a third set of information including sales technique information; analyzing the first set of information and the second set of information to generate one or more predictive payment card holder profiles; and correlating the one or more predictive payment card holder profiles with the sales technique information to identify payment card holder preference for the certain sales technique. A system for identifying payment card holder preference for a certain sales technique is also provided.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, account owner information associated with account owners of payment accounts (e.g., credit card accounts) may be retrieved from an account owner database. The retrieved account owner information may be analyzed to automatically identify a set of account owners primarily associated with automated teller machine device transactions in connection with the payment accounts. From the set of account owners primarily associated with automated teller machine device transactions, a sub-set of account owners to be encouraged to utilize point of sale transactions in connection with the payment accounts may be automatically created. Moreover, a potential transaction spend value associated with the sub-set of account owners may be calculated and output.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to optimize, from a merchant's perspective, the outcomes of interactions between the merchant and its customers (whether existing, new, or potential customers). In an aspect, certain embodiments allow for multiple variations of options (multivariate or A/B testing) and outcomes which can be statistically applied and then measured and analyzed for best economic impact or preferred outcome.

Abstract: A network device is configured to receive purchase information and receive, from a social networking server, information regarding a friend of the user. The network device is further configured to receive additional purchase information associated with the friend. The network device is further configured to generate, based on a result of comparing the purchase information and the additional purchase information, a recommendation, and send the recommendation to a user device associated with the user.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) video display apparatus includes: a viewing action detecting unit which detects whether or not a viewing state of a user who views a plurality of 3D video display screens with a viewing target being changed between the 3D video display screens has changed a predetermined number of times or more in a predetermined time period; and a control unit which restricts user's viewing action of viewing a 3D video image displayed by an image display unit when the viewing action detecting unit detects that the viewing state of the user has changed the predetermined number of times or more in the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A system and method for determining related content to serve based on connectivity is provided. The system includes a connectivity analyzer to analyze an aspect of the connectivity of the detected access to the content sharing service; a vector aggregator to create an access vector based on the analyzed aspect of the connectivity; and a related content retriever to retrieve related content based on the access vector.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a control unit configured to identify map data for a geographic region; generate an n-gram frequency set based on the map data and the geographic region; calculate a target occurrence rate for detecting one or more potential spelling errors in the map data based on the n-gram frequency set; and a communication interface, coupled to the control unit, and configured to communicate the target occurrence rate.

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: A return coupon holder is described for holding a return coupon issued in a store in conjunction with a customer's merchandise return transaction. The return coupon holder is preferably sized large enough to discourage the customer from stowing the coupon away, such as in a handbag. Additionally, holders may be of different types that visually or electronically convey information about a category associated with the customer's return transaction. Thus, salespersons may accordingly provide appropriate customer service to the customer. The holder categories may indicate an approximate dollar value of the return transaction, a type of merchandise returned, a return payment method, an assessment of the profitability of the customer, an assessment of the risk of fraud associated with the return transaction, and the like. A computer decision system may select holder type. Some embodiments of the coupon holder are fitted with a device that allow tracing of the customer's movements while still in the store.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining significant places with greatly improved accuracy using universally available identifier information. A significant place platform causes, at least in part, a mapping of one or more communication coverage areas associated with one or more identifiers onto at least one geo-grid, wherein the one or more identifiers are associated with at least one device operating within at least one communication network. The significant place platform further processes the one or more identifiers to determine one or more significance scores associated with one or more grid units of the at least one geo-grid. The significant place platform also determines at least one significant place based, at least in part, on the one or more significance scores.

Abstract: Advertising method and system for creating a personalized advertisement, and for recommending a product being advertised. An uploaded facial photograph is received, the facial photograph including a plurality of facial features. At least one facial feature of the plurality of facial features is detected. Personal information may be extracted by analyzing the at least one detected facial feature. A product being advertised may be recommended, wherein the recommended product applies to a treatment related to the extracted personal information.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying search results associated with a search request based on a determination that a member profile attribute is inaccurate are described. According to various embodiments, an existing member profile attribute included in a member profile page of a particular member of an online social network service is identified. Member profile data and behavioral log data associated with a plurality of members of the online social network service is then accessed. Prediction modeling to verify the existing member profile attribute is performed using the accessed data. Additionally, a confidence score associated with the existing member profile attribute is generated based on the prediction modeling. Moreover, the existing member profile attribute is determined to be inaccurate based on the generated confidence score. Furthermore, the search results associated with a search request is modified based on the determination.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, signals are collected from one or more first channels in a communication network. The one or more first channels may include at least one of organic search, paid search, or social media. Based on the collected signals, a recommendation is made with respect to a campaign within a second channel.

Abstract: Advertisements included in a stored digital video program are identified and indexed. A user can time shift the advertisements to play out at a different time position in the program or not play the advertisement at all. A user may incur an advertisement debt for skipping or fast forwarding an advertisement. The advertisement debt can be offset by viewing ads, trading the debt with other users or by paying for the debt in another form.

Abstract: Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products relating to multi-media management and streaming techniques implemented over a computer network, including, for example, one or more features and/or functions relation to one or more of the following (or combinations thereof): venue-based streaming radio stations, mobile user graphical user interfaces, creation and streaming of dynamic streaming radio stations based on a user's geolocation, ticketing and reservations, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a suitability for a mobile client to display information are disclosed. A particular exemplary method includes maintaining on the mobile client a list of first attributes relating to message cache misses of a cache memory located on the mobile client, receiving on the mobile client a set of target attributes associated with a target message, performing on the mobile client one or more matching operations between the first attributes and the target attributes to produce a matching result, and storing the target message in a cache in the mobile client dependant upon the matching result.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a request is received from a first user to create a location-triggered benefit that may be redeemed by a second user at a vendor and associated with a condition. The first user is not the vendor, and the condition may require that the second user go to a particular location. A record of the location-triggered benefit may be created in a database. Information may be received that the second user has satisfied the condition, and in response, the second user may be allowed to redeem the location-triggered benefit at the vendor.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for providing an item image to a client for display in a contextual environment are described. In some embodiments, the user may select an item for display in the contextual environment, and the user may position a camera coupled to a processing system to capture the contextual environment. A marker may be generated and associated with an item selected by a user. In an embodiment, the generated marker may be placed in a location within the contextual environment, and the user's processing system may send a visual data stream of the camera-captured environment to a server. In an embodiment, the user's processing device may receive a modified data stream including an image of the item, and the user's processing device may display the item image in the same location as the marker.

Abstract: A system for managing reward reversal is provided. The system includes a device that is capable of adjusting the accumulation and redemption levels of rewards after a purchase or return transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating purchases of services includes an application server providing a network service and maintaining a service offer database that comprises a plurality of service offer information records respectively associated with a plurality of service offers. The plurality of service offers include at least one service offer for a bundled set of services. Each information record comprises an indication of a primary service, a purchase price, a payment amount for a primary service, and compensation information for receiving payment for the primary service. Upon being accessed by user operating a client system, the network service is operable to receive an indication of a service offer being selected for purchase by the user, receive purchase information from the user specifying a funding source, and issue a request to the funding source for funds corresponding to the purchase price included in the information record associated with the selected service offer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing marketing dialogues are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the systems and methods presented may associate a variable to each event in a script. A variable may be associated with each event. A first instruction in the script may be operable to send a first communication to a user from a server via the network. A second instruction may be operable to according to the script based on the stored set of user information and the variable associated with the first event.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which driver safety technology such as collision detection is implemented via mobile device (e.g., smartphone) sensors and a cloud service that processes data received from vehicles associated with the devices. Trajectory-related data is received at the cloud service and used to predict collisions between vehicles and/or lane departures of vehicles. To operate the service in real-time with low latency, also described is dividing driving areas into grids, e.g., based upon traffic density, having parallel grid servers each responsible for only vehicles in or approaching its own grid, and other parallel/distributed mechanisms of the cloud service.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for automatically determining a marketing status for a customer. In one embodiment, detection data is received from a set of detectors associated with the retail facility. The detection data is processed to form dynamic data. The dynamic data is analyzed using a set of data models to identify marketing initiation factors. In response to the marketing initiation factors indicating initiation of marketing to the customer, a customized marketing message is generated for the customer and dynamically transmitted to a display device associated with the customer. The customized marketing message is displayed to the customer in real-time as the customer is shopping at the retail facility.

Abstract: Media content is received through a plurality of inputs, each input being associated with one of a plurality of media content sources. Media content is provided to a media player for display in a first viewing frame based on a first one of the media content sources. A request is received for a second viewing frame. A list of available media content sources is provided. A source selection of a second one of the media content sources is received. Media content from the selected second one of the media content sources is provided in the second viewing frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the delivery of interactive advertisements are discussed herein. Systems and methods include approaches and solutions for boosting the rank of certain ads and/or ad types based on a combination of their interaction type and an ad interaction history for a given user, vertical, or aggregate indicator. Systems and methods also include suppressing ads unlikely to be interacted with from ranking and format boosting based on such ad interaction history.

Abstract: An interactive waste receptacle combines a waste receptacle, a display device, a sensor, a camera, a speaker, and a variety of interactive media to receive and process waste, and perform an assortment of interactive functions in a public venue. The interactive waste receptacle detects events from a user, and responds to the events with interactive functions, including; receiving, compacting, and processing a waste; detecting proximal images, sounds, and smells; and displaying advertisements, text, graphics, animation, video, audio, and games. The waste receptacle receives and compacts the waste. A display device integrated with the waste receptacle displays images of advertising, messages, and pertinent information. A sensor detects events from the user. A camera records a user image. A speaker emits and receives audio signals to the user. Interactive media also record user events. The sensor, camera, speaker, and interactive media perform an interactive function in response to the event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate and use content-aware watermarks are disclosed herein. In a disclosed example method, media composition data is received and at least one word present in an audio track of the media composition data is selected. The word is then located in a watermark.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating an interactive digital receipt on a user device, where the receipt offers an engagement platform for merchants and customers to interact on a continuous basis. The interactive digital receipt is generated in response to an occurrence of a particular financial transaction. The receipt includes a plurality of time-based interactive components to enable the merchant and the customer to interact with one another. In one embodiment, the time-based interactive components include a gratuity component to allow adding of a gratuity amount after the occurrence of the transaction. The gratuity component is associated with a timeframe that defines a time period for which the customer may submit the gratuity amount. The time period can range from a limited time period to an unlimited time period.

Abstract: A system and method supporting user engagement in consumer activities at one or more locations of a merchant.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a data warehouse to store data associating a plurality of account identifiers with an offer having a predefined purchase requirement and an aggregated purchase requirement for a benefit; and a transaction handler configured to process a plurality of transactions. The transaction handler is further configured to determine whether each of the plurality of transactions satisfies a predefined purchase requirement, identify a set of transactions each satisfying the predefined purchase requirement, and determine whether the set of transactions satisfies an aggregated purchase requirement for the benefit. In one example, the transaction handler is configured to provide the benefit via statement credits when the set of transactions satisfies the aggregated purchase requirement.

Abstract: A computer receives information that a request is made to authorize a transaction for a sale of a product by a merchant to an account holder in a transaction conducted on a consumer account issued to the account holder. When the computer confirms that the transaction is authorized and that the transaction occurs within a predetermined time period for which there is a rebate associated with the product and a corresponding sponsor financially responsible for the rebate, the computer communicates that the rebate is to be debited to an account of the sponsor and either: (i) given as a discount by the merchant at the point of sale to the account holder; or (ii) credited to an account issued to the account holder by the issuer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a targeting technique for controlling the provisioning of content items, for example advertisements, to users in a mobile communications network (100). A method embodiment of the technique is performed in a provisioning server (114) in the mobile communications network and comprises the steps of receiving an indication of a content item which has been selected by a first user via a first mobile terminal (126); retrieving, from a user-related database, contact information associated with the first user, wherein the contact information indicates at least one second user (128); determining a location of a second mobile terminal of the second user; and selectively initiating, if an intended presentation area for the selected content item covers the location of the second mobile terminal, a presentation of the selected content item to the second mobile terminal (128).

Abstract: In view of the foregoing, embodiments herein provide methods and systems for providing discounts on basic price of services and/or products, wherein the method comprises allowing a user to select and book at least a service and/or product using a user device, identifying position of the user and a destination of booked service and/or product are available, calculating a predetermined radius from the destination, wherein the predetermined radius is an origin, calculating “as-the-crow-flies” travel distance of the user towards the destination during the user traveling within the origin, applying discounts on basic price of the booked service and/or product, wherein the discounts are dynamically applied based on the travel distance to determine dynamic discounted price, allowing the user to avail the discounts for the booked service and/or product; and allowing the user to make or authorize payment for the booked service and/or product.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying an indoor position using Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), access points (AP), and Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS). The goal of this method is to determine if a user is in the place where he claims to be by using a mobile device. When a user wants his location to be verified he activates a scanning process on his mobile device that reads all the requested signals (WLAN, A-GPS). When the recording process is complete the information is sent to a server where it is processed and the user location is either confirmed to be true or false.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a presentation of purchase incentives to a shopper. A presentation to present to a shopper is created. A depiction of a store layout is depicted on the presentation, where the store layout depicts a plurality of areas with each area being associated with a respective set of associated items within a plurality of items offered for purchase. A respective depiction is depicted, on the presentation of the store layout, for each of at least one purchase incentive. Each purchase incentive has a respective associated item within a plurality of items offered for purchase. The respective depiction is graphically linked to a respective area that is associated with the respective associated item.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method, performed in a computer-based apparatus (1) for providing information (S2) related to an offer to at least one mobile user (2), being positioned at a first position (A), from an offering entity (2) being positioned at a second position (B), said offer being associated with a compensation to the user (2) upon fulfillment (S9) of an offer objective by said user (2). The method comprises: providing information (S8) related to said offer objective from said offering entity (3) to said user (2); detecting whether said offer objective has been fulfilled (S9) by said user (2); transferring (S10) said compensation from said offering entity (3) to said user (2) when said offer objective offer has been fulfilled by said user (2); said compensation being transferred in the form of a credit related to a calculated offer value (S6) corresponding to the cost for said user (2) for travelling between said first position (A) and said second position (B).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of gathering and analyzing data from device operators aiming their image capture devices and thereby creating a line of sight to an object of interest, for example through the process of obtaining photographs, videos or other digital images of an event or geographical location, where the real-time or embedded location, compass heading, and time data from each of a plurality of image providers are communicated from the plurality of image-capture devices to one or more servers for statistical analysis of the proportionate amount of providers focusing on each image target or sub-target at the event or location.

Abstract: Provided is a process, including: obtaining a coupon issued by a merchant, the coupon being redeemable in-store, at a physical location of the merchant; obtaining one or more merchant location identifiers, the coupon only being redeemable at one or more merchant locations identified by the one or more merchant location identifiers; sending the coupon and the merchant location identifiers to publishers for presentation to consumers by the publishers on user devices of the consumers; and receiving indications from the user devices of the consumers that the consumers interacted with the coupon, the indications indicating a consumer selection of an in-store redemption option.

Abstract: Facilitation of environment views employing crowd sourced information is provided. For example, an apparatus can determine a location of an environment of interest at a first defined time, and identify recording components proximate to the location substantially at the first defined time. The recording components can be communicatively coupleable to the apparatus. The apparatus can also request information from identified recording components, wherein the information is recorded by the recording components substantially at the first defined time, and stored at the recording components. The apparatus can receive the information from the identified recording components, and generate information indicative of a representation of an aspect of the environment substantially at the first defined time based on aggregating the received information.