Abstract: An automated method is provided for initiating a transaction function in a transaction processing device. The method comprises establishing near field communication between the transaction processing device and an NFC transmitting device having an associated tag identifier and receiving NFC information including the tag identifier. The transaction processing device transmits the NFC information to a merchant processor and receives from the merchant processor a tag rule communication including an instruction to carry out a transaction function associated with the tag identifier or a request to associate a new transaction function with the tag identifier. Responsive to receiving an instruction to carry out a transaction function associated with the tag identifier, the transaction processing device executes the transaction function.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system are provided for identifying an advertising opportunity on a first website in response to a user accessing the first website. Information associated with the user accessing the first website may be received. One or more digital advertisements of one or more fashion products from the second website may be provided for rendering on the first website based upon, at least in part, one or more fashion-ability scores representative of the one or more fashion products on the second website and the information associated with the user accessing the first website.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a linker that links respective identification information of one or more persons and an object involved in a transfer established using a network, and an updater that updates the respective identification information for a subsequent transfer transaction.

Abstract: A server receives an indication that a user of a client device has selected social network data associated with a social network provider that maintains a social graph. The selected social network data indicates approval of a coupon offer by the user. In response to receiving the indication, the server computer provides the coupon to the user and sends a link message that causes a user node that is associated with the user to be linked, within the social graph, with a coupon node that is associated with the coupon offer. A message including data associated with the coupon offer is sent to a subset of a set of other users identified, in the social graph that the social network provider maintains, as connected to the user.

Abstract: A system for indoor location identification of electronic devices includes a retail store having a ceiling and a plurality of networked geo-context panels mounted on the ceiling. Each geo-context panel having a network communication device and an ultrasound transmitter capable of broadcasting ultrasonic pulses having a duration of less than 100 ms. At least one portable electronic device in the retail store receives and records the ultrasonic pulses to make a recording. The portable electronic device communicates the recording to at least one of the plurality of geo-context panels to enable the at least one of the geo-context panels to determine a precise location of the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing intelligent location-based signage services are generally described herein. An intelligent signage device may include a proximity module arranged to receive a notification that a personal device is within an area of the intelligent signage device. The signage may also include a transceiver arranged to establish a connection from the intelligent signage device to the personal device and receive user data from the personal device via the connection. An offer-customization module of the digital signal may be arranged to determine a set of display options based on the user data, a member of the set of display options corresponding to an offer for a product and a presentation module of the digital signage may be arranged to display the member of the set of display options on the intelligent signage device.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for keeping popular advertisements active are provided. Example embodiments may include identifying one or more expiring online content from a plurality of online contents. A popularity of the one or more expiring online content may be determined; and an expiration date of the one or more expiring online content may be extended based on the popularity.

Abstract: A system configured to promote goods and/or services from a business to a user via a network and an interface device of the user. The system provides a method to offer a gift from the business to the user, allow the user to transfer or share the gift with another user, and allow the user to redeem the gift at the business. The system also provides a method to obtain and transmit information related to the user to the merchant.

Abstract: In a redeemable coupon there is a housing, a motion detector coupled to the housing, wherein the motion detector detects an amount of motion of the coupon, and an indicator coupled to the motion detector, wherein the indicator is activated by the motion detector upon detecting the amount of motion. Additionally, in a method of providing an incentive for a user to exercise, providing the user with a coupon to be coupled to the user, monitoring the motion of the user with a motion sensor included in the coupon, and activating the coupon when the motion sensor has detected a predetermined amount of motion such that the coupon becomes redeemable by the user.

Abstract: A band formed to secure to a part of a human body. The band including a motion detection component. The motion detection component including circuitry for detecting and recording movement of the motion detection component. The motion detection component including a display defined to provide a visual indication of an amount of movement recorded by the circuitry. The circuitry including an electrical contact for electrical communication of signals associated with the detected and recorded movement of the motion detection component.

Abstract: A motion detection component is operated to detect movement of the motion detection component. The movement detected by the motion detection component is recorded. A display is operated to provide a visual indication of an amount of the recorded movement. Electrical signals are communicated from the motion detection component through an electrical contact. The electrical signals are associated with the detected and recorded movement of the motion detection component. The motion detection component, the display, and the electrical contact are included within a band formed to secure to a part of a human body.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for a descending-price auction with participation fee. The present invention starts with the buying of participations by prospective buyers. The auction starts near the retail price and time duration is announced at the start of the auction within which each participant can bid for the asset for sale. The prospective buyers use their bought participations for bidding. The price is decreased by a predefined amount till the price reaches zero currency units after which it stays at zero and the time duration is reset. The whole process of the auction is repeated till the end of auction time and the last participant will be deemed the final buyer for the last low price. Other participants can also be compensated with other benefits according to the level of their participation in the auction.

Abstract: Data is received from an activity tracking device. The received data indicates an amount of movement of the activity tracking device. The received data is associated with an account of a user of the activity tracking device. Feedback is generated for the user based on the amount of movement of the activity tracking device as indicated by the received data. The feedback is presented on a website with an indication of points accumulated by the user for the amount of movement of the activity tracking device over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a variety of ways in which to generate and promote multi-merchant deals spanning multiple geographical regions and/or multiple industries. In deals involving merchants from two or more industries, customers may be provided with one ticket per person per industry. Any goods and/or services provided by the merchants from different industries are not intertwined with one another so as to form one experience. Further, in deals involving merchants from the same industry, the customer may be provided with a choice as to which merchant to redeem the goods and/or services. Likewise, in some examples, the customer may choose in which geographical region to receive the goods and/or services.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a different system and methods which is offered to consumers and merchants. It describes the affordability it provide by reducing the numbers of touch points required for consumers to recognize a discount through the redemption of coupons. Along with a system accessible by merchants for entering products on coupons for savings to consumers. It details the critical components required for a seamless and transparent method to enter, view, select, collect, and redeem multiple coupon offers in a single scan or swipe of a mobile device.

Abstract: A subscription-based system for providing commerce information for one or more mobile devices for one or more merchants. Some techniques employed feature a subscription-based method for presenting commercial resources to a mobile device. The method involves receiving mobile device user information relating to a geographic location to locate one or more merchants within a subscription-based shopping network, and receiving mobile device user information relating to a merchant type within the subscription-based shopping network. The method also involves receiving, from a database over a communication network, information for one or more merchants associated with the mobile device user information for the geographic location and the merchant type, and presenting the associated merchant information on the mobile device.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods, and systems for a Composite Content Generator. The disclosure teaches a Composite Content Generator, which provides a straightforward, unified, and transparent interface that presents users with the ability to customize publication purchases. Buyers of content may desire to customize their purchases in order to acquire certain sections of a work (e.g., select chapters from a travel book, select recipes from a cook book, choose certain subjects out of reference or medical journals, and specific sections of a periodical). In one embodiment, the Composite Content Generator allows buyers to view, select, and purchase portions of various works (e.g., such as books, periodicals, reference materials, and/or the like) and receive fulfillment of their purchase as a customized and modular composite publication.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for visualizing and analyzing spectrum assets. License, channel, and lease data from a communications authority is collected and formatted into individual polygon maps. The maps could be drawn according to county or state boundaries, or by some other mapping standard. The maps are then divided and redrawn into several market service areas and several basic trading areas. The maps are also divided and redrawn according to the bandwidth spectrum of one or more channels. Since the maps are drawn with several different boundary conditions, the layout of all of the maps result in some maps being partially overlaid onto other maps for the same region. These regions containing partially overlaid maps are redefined as superblocks. Each superblock contains all of the data from each overlaid map portion for that particular region.

Abstract: A system for managing coupon redemption and prioritization is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system allows an electronic coupon or reward to be redeemed a specific number of times. The specific number of times may range from one to infinity. According to another aspect of the system, the system automatically resolves any redemption conflict associated with the concurrent redemption of electronic coupon(s) and paper-based coupon(s) by using certain predefined rules and logic.

Abstract: A method includes providing, through a server device, a number of wearable apparel garments to an entity and monitoring readings of near-field communication tags associated with the number of wearable apparel garments procured from the entity through a number of reader devices of a corresponding number of another human mammals. The method also includes transmitting a profile information of the human mammal wearing the wearable apparel garment to the reader device of the another human mammal and/or a geospatial information of the reader device to the server device configured to collect information from the number of reader devices. Further, the method includes obtaining, through the server device and/or another server device, information related to market intelligence based on the transmitted profile information and/or the geospatial information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons™, rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons™ may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons™ displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons™ authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon™ may be considered “redeemed”.

Abstract: A method for updating a limited redemption coupon includes: storing, in a database, at least one coupon record for at least one coupon, wherein the at least one coupon record includes at least a limitation on redemption associated with the at least one coupon; updating, in the database, the limitation on redemption associated with the at least one coupon in response to a limiting event; and transmitting, by a transmitting device, the updated limitation on redemption associated with the at least one coupon to at least one mobile communication device for display on the at least one mobile communication device.

Abstract: A subscription-based system for providing commerce information for one or more mobile devices for one or more merchants. Some techniques employed feature a subscription-based method for presenting commercial resources to a mobile device. The method involves receiving mobile device user information relating to a geographic location to locate one or more merchants within a subscription-based shopping network, and receiving mobile device user information relating to a merchant type within the subscription-based shopping network. The method also involves receiving, from a database over a communication network, information for one or more merchants associated with the mobile device user information for the geographic location and the merchant type, and presenting the associated merchant information on the mobile device.

Abstract: A server receives a consumer request pertaining to product asset management from a client. The consumer request comprises one or more product-related certificates that associates the client with one or more products. The product-related certificate comprises at least one extended attribute object identifier that has a corresponding product attribute. For each extended attribute object identifier, the server searches a data store to identify a product that corresponds to the extended attribute object identifier and generates a response to the consumer request based on the product that is identified in the data store.

Abstract: A demand-shaping server, and method of shaping demand and an infrastructure incorporating the server or the method. In one embodiment, the server includes: (1) a sponsor interface configured to receive from a sponsor information regarding a time-sensitive deal and including a location at which the time-sensitive deal may be claimed and (2) a runner interface coupled to the sponsor interface and configured to transmit notices containing at least some of the information to mobile devices based on runner criteria associated therewith.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for the granular distribution of privileges to contextual communities. A user request for an active capability is assimilated. A code is generated which permits exercise of the active capability by the user and at least one secondary recipient. Execution of the active capability is permitted responsive to an attempt at executing the active capability by at least one taken from the group consisting of: the user and the at least one secondary recipient, and execution of the active capability is denied responsive to an attempt at executing the active capability by a recipient other than the user and the at least one secondary recipient.

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

Abstract: A data processing system employs a unique coded promotional vehicle to attract customers into retail establishments for the purchase of discounted goods. The promotional vehicle includes coupon styled graphics integrated with a code to allow data tracking by the store pursuant to purchases by that customer. The promotional vehicle is easier and less costly to distribute compared to the prior art, avoids cutting of coupons, and post purchase redemptions. The system further allows more targeted discounting at a lower cost, and substantially reducing fraud by eliminating post purchase coupon processing and redemption. Additionally, the system provides for selective deactivation of the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method to detect fraud includes a) receiving by the computer system from a source information regarding a plurality of played coupons for at least one game, wherein the plurality of played coupons comprises at least one first coupon; b) populating by the computer system a two-dimensional array for each played game from the received information, wherein the at least one two-dimensional array holds aggregated game statistics, c) storing by the computer system the at least one two-dimensional array with in a data structure; d) scanning, using the received information for the at least one first coupon, by the computer system the at least one data structure to identify at least one abnormal pattern; and e) generating, when the at least one abnormal pattern is identified, by the computer system an alert prior to a payout on the at least one first coupon.

Abstract: A method of using constrained payments to enforce complex payment policies in electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems. An order capture component generates at least a first relationship object that corresponds to a first payment constraint rule. If an order item is placed in a shopping cart, and if the order item is associated with one or more payment constraint rules, and if one or more pre-conditions corresponding to the one or more payment constraint rules are satisfied, then the order capture component implements the one or more payment constraint rules. If one or more post-conditions corresponding to the one or more payment constraint rules are satisfied, then the order capture component submits a purchasing order from the shopping cart that includes the order item, such that the order item is constrained by the one or more payment constraint rules.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving an indication that a user selected social network data that is displayed, on a client device, concurrently with offer data that indicates a coupon offer; wherein prior to receiving the indication, the user of the client device is incapable of accessing the coupon offer; in response to receiving the indication that the user selected the social network data, allowing the user to access the coupon offer, and causing a message to be sent to each user of a plurality of users that are identified, in a social network, as connected to the user, wherein the message includes data about the coupon offer or a coupon provider that initiated the coupon offer; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A merchant forum system is described that comprises a system of servers and databases connected to a network that can host a platform of merchants and facilitate electronic commerce between merchants and consumers. A merchant creates and stores a merchant profile and e-coupon campaign on the merchant forum system via a computer connected to the network. A consumer member accesses the merchant forum system to locate merchants and e-coupons offers via a computer or mobile device connected to the network. The merchant forum system passes data to a consumer member's mobile device representing an authentic e-coupon image having a moving image portion to permit expedient authentication and execution of transactions. A time limit on execution of the transaction and redemption of the authentic e-coupon image provides additional security.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for enabling an e-commerce website to persist electronic items, such as electronic coupons, gift certificates etc., across multiple browsing sessions. Users are offered electronic items over a communications network during a browsing session. In case the user wishes to save the items for a later browsing session, he/she is prompted for an email address. Details pertaining to the selected items are mapped against the email address. Thereafter, e-mail is sent to the user, containing a URL with the email address of the user embedded in it. Alternatively, entire details corresponding to the items selected during a session are embedded in the URL and in this case they need not be mapped against the email address.

Abstract: Handling electronic coupons includes accessing information indicating association of an electronic coupon with an account of a user that identifies multiple retail entities associated with the user. Information indicating association of electronic coupons with the user's account may be transmitted to respective computer systems associated with the multiple retail entities. The computer systems may associate electronic coupons with the user such that the user may redeem the electronic coupons at a retail store upon presentation of a user identifier. When the user redeems an electronic coupon, cancellation information for the electronic coupon may be transmitted to the computer systems of other retail entities associated with the user. Receipt of the cancellation information may cause the respective computer systems to cancel the redeemability of the electronic coupon such that the user is prevented from redeeming the electronic coupon at a retail store associated with the corresponding retail entity.

Abstract: A system for managing coupon redemption and prioritization is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system allows an electronic coupon or reward to be redeemed a specific number of times. The specific number of times may range from one to infinity. According to another aspect of the system, the system automatically resolves any redemption conflict associated with the concurrent redemption of electronic coupon(s) and paper-based coupon(s) by using certain predefined rules and logic.

Abstract: Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and managing the distribution, activation, and redemption of online coupons are provided. In one aspect, the online coupon may be transmitted to one or more users as an electronic mail (“email”) coupon. A user may then act upon the online coupon to view, activate and redeem the incentive offered by the coupon. A user's actions in response to the online coupon, such as the viewing actions, activation actions, and redemption actions, may be tracked and managed to reduce the possibility of fraud or misuse, and to identify the efficacy of the incentives offered by the coupon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for processing coupons by a self checkout system, where the self checkout system includes at least one self checkout station coupled to a server. In a first aspect, a self checkout system includes a server for managing the self checkout system and at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, where the self checkout station includes a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer, a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer, and a coupon manager. The coupon manager attempts to validate the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, and if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing one or more advertisements on a printout of a print job are provided. The advertisements are selected based on dynamic selection criteria.

Abstract: A media targeting system may be configured to coordinate media and manage media conflicts in its delivery to consumers. The media targeting system may in near real-time arbitrate between all offers assigned to a particular consumer or available to the consumer via one or more channels to ensure that a consumer only receives non-conflicting offers during particular time periods. The media targeting system may translate offers into a real-time, in-store loyalty environment including consumer real-time behavior assignment into traits in order to make a real-time offer assignment based on the traits. An application on a mobile device of a consumer may allow the consumer to share offers with other consumers via a bump of the consumers' mobile devices.

Abstract: In a method of executing a transaction using an electronic coupon, coupon campaign information is provided to an engine. The coupon campaign information defines a discount value, a product family and a number of coupons to be distributed. Each coupon within the coupon campaign has a coupon identification (ID). Coupon publications are provided including a machine-readable portion that encodes coupon data describing the coupon campaign information. The coupon data is retrieved from the machine-readable portion of the coupon publication using a personal electronic device. The coupon data is used to retrieve a coupon ID that is stored in the personal electronic device. The coupon ID is transmitted to a point of sale (POS) system using the personal electronic device. The POS system communicates with the engine to verify a validity of the coupon ID. A discount is applied to a transaction in accordance with the discount value.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to generating, transmitting and/or tracking coupons. Specifically, the disclosed methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus relate to generating, transmitting and/or tracking a plurality of coupons among a plurality of consumers using social media channels and other electronic distribution channels. Some exemplary embodiments may include authenticating consumers and/or coupons.

Abstract: A system for managing coupon redemption and prioritization is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system allows an electronic coupon or reward to be redeemed a specific number of times. The specific number of times may range from one to infinity. According to another aspect of the system, the system automatically resolves any redemption conflict associated with the concurrent redemption of electronic coupon(s) and paper-based coupon(s) by using certain predefined rules and logic.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving an authorization request message for a transaction conducted by a consumer with a merchant, sending the authorization request message to an issuer, receiving an authorization response message, modifying the authorization response message using a server computer to include receipt preference data, wherein the receipt preference data is derived from receipt preferences of the consumer or the merchant, and sending the authorization response message comprising the receipt preference data to the merchant, wherein the merchant generates a receipt for the consumer according to the receipt preference data.

Abstract: A system for avoiding fraud in the distribution and redemption of coupons is presented. A coupon is targeted to a particular customer and has a customer identifier which maps the coupon to the customer in some way. The coupon provides for two redemptions, an initial redemption for a nominal amount, including zero, and a deferred redemption which provides an incentive for redeeming the coupon. Upon purchasing an item or engaging in an activity urged by the coupon, the coupon is initially redeemed. After the redeemed coupon is validated and cleared, the customer identified through the customer identifier, is rewarded by the deferred redemption amount. Fraud is not rewarded since the initial redemption amount provides for little or no compensation.

Abstract: Ticketing systems and methods are provided specifically relating to a player's ticket. A player's ticket references at least one player and allows the player's ticket holder to attend all sporting events played in by the at least one player referenced on the player's ticket. Information about a tournament, including the players, the tournament draw, and historical data, is acquired and used to determine the probabilities of players winning matches in the tournament. Event admissions for the player's ticket may be allocated by determining a probability distribution for accommodating all player's ticket holders and determining a profitability of the players ticket.

Abstract: Handling electronic coupons includes accessing information indicating association of an electronic coupon with an account of a user that identifies multiple retail entities associated with the user. Information indicating association of electronic coupons with the user's account may be transmitted to respective computer systems associated with the multiple retail entities. The computer systems may associate electronic coupons with the user such that the user may redeem the electronic coupons at a retail store upon presentation of a user identifier. When the user redeems an electronic coupon, cancellation information for the electronic coupon may be transmitted to the computer systems of other retail entities associated with the user. Receipt of the cancellation information may cause the respective computer systems to cancel the redeemability of the electronic coupon such that the user is prevented from redeeming the electronic coupon at a retail store associated with the corresponding retail entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided that include techniques for searching a database. One method includes receiving one or more input search terms and providing a database. The database maps at least one search term to at least one coupon. The method further includes identifying one or more coupons in the database based on the received input search terms. The method further includes selecting one or more coupons from the identified coupons. A given coupon can be selected based on a number of times the given coupon has been previously printed. A given coupon can also be selected based on a number of times the given coupon has been previously redeemed. The method further includes presenting one or more coupons to the user where the presented one or more coupons include the selected one or more coupons.

Abstract: A method and computer program for resetting the value of a coupon based on market information is provided. The program receives a request for valuation of a coupon from a retailer, accesses market demand information for a product corresponding to the coupon, determines a market demand value based on the market demand information, determines a coupon value based on the market demand value, and provides the coupon value to the retailer.

Abstract: A method of secure electronic couponing is disclosed which includes a main server system, and a client system interconnected by a distributed computer network, such as the Internet. Coupon data and advertising data are encrypted to thereby reduce the likelihood that such data may be misused, such as by unauthorized duplication. In addition, the client system is identified by a user identification that is allocated and associated with user information collected from the user of the client system. The user information is indicative of one or more demographic characteristics of the user without being sufficiently personal to specifically identify the user, thus preserving privacy. An icon is provided which, when flashing, alerts the user to the fact that new coupons are available.