Abstract: The subject invention relates to electronic buying and selling systems and methods. In particular, the invention concerns relations among distinct price curves, price curve attributes (i.e., factors of the offer that can affect the price curves) and buyers or potential buyers. For instance, a price offered to a system user can vary based on total volume of all people aggregating in private environments, cumulative total order by user, ship date, optimal time, as well as terms and conditions associated with the offer (e.g., no cancellation of order, cancellation possible, payment method . . . ).

Abstract: A device may determine that a user device has detected an event that triggers the user device to execute a mobile checkout application associated with a retail store. The device may provide, to the user device, information that identifies a promotion associated with an item at the retail store. The device may receive, from the user device, item information that identifies the item. The device may provide, to the user device, checkout information associated with purchasing the item. The checkout information may be based on the item information and the promotion. The device may store the checkout information associated with the retail store. The device may store an association between the checkout information and other checkout information associated with the user device and another retail store.

Abstract: A system, method, and software product as provided for obtaining details on merchant data from customers purchasing goods or services at a merchant with a payment instrument. After customers make purchases at merchants, a server associated with a payment instrument network or payment issuing bank sends a message in the form of a signal to open an application, an SMS, an e-mail, an electronic bank statement, or other electronic means to the customer offering the customer the opportunity to provide details on merchant data on the merchant where the purchase was just made, including the name and address of the merchant where the purchase was just made. The customer may be offered various rewards for providing of details on merchant data, with more valuable prizes rewarded for hard-to-obtain details on merchant data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selling a combination of travel tickets and consumer items to customers and, in particular, for selling international travel tickets and duty free items to international travelers. By acquiring surplus international travel tickets in bulk at discounted prices and by selling the duty free items in a way which avoids the overhead typically associated with such sales, the selling merchant is able to offer the combination of an international travel ticket and a duty free item to a consumer at a price below what the consumer would pay if the consumer separately acquired the ticket and duty free item from third parties. In one implementation, the selling merchant offers the consumer a free duty free item upon purchase of an international travel ticket, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, both the consumer and the selling merchant employ computers communicating over a computer network to carry out the inventive method.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and sharing product ensembles between a portable computing device (“PCD”) and a pin board wall includes receiving product scan data for a product and displaying a visual representation of the product on a display of a PCD as part of a product ensemble. A product ensemble includes two or more products grouped together. Next, a command to transfer the product ensemble from a PCD to a pin board wall may be received. A pin board wall may comprise a display that is generally larger than the display of the PCD. Data for the product ensemble may then be transferred over a communications network from the PCD to the pin board wall. The transferred product ensemble is then displayed on the pin board wall. A command may also be received to transfer the product ensemble from the pin board wall to another PCD.

Abstract: A method and a system for electronically transacting a purchase between a purchaser and a merchant are disclosed. The method includes storing accrued incentives on an intelligent data carrier medium via interactive television (DTV/STB) equipment and redeeming a discount or a value corresponding to the accrued incentives present on the data carrier medium when a purchase is made. The electronic purchase system using an electronic network contains a purchaser interactive television (DTV/STB) equipment connected to the electronic network, a fixed intelligent data carrier medium connected to the interactive television (DTV/STB) equipment for service authentication and decryption and a detachable intelligent data carrier medium connected to the interactive television (DTV/STB) equipment.

Abstract: The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device.

Abstract: A buyer-centric payables bidding method, system, and computer-implemented program instructions are disclosed. The payables bidding system facilitates the discounting of vouchered payables through an online bid process. In the online auction process, suppliers of goods and/or services bid on the right to collect vouchered payments from buyer before the previously agreed “due date” of those payments. The online bid is defined as the discounted amount a supplier is willing to accept in exchange for obtaining prompt payment on a vouchered payment.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a trading platform for selling goods using a computer system, the computer system including a communication interface configured for the exchange of information between users and the computer system via at least one communication network, a memory unit for storing information associated with a good to be sold, and a price variation unit, connected to the memory unit and the communication interface, for varying a price associated with the good as a function of time, based on a parameterized price function. The invention further relates to a trading platform, a computer program product, and a computer system.

Abstract: The invention provides a system, computer program, and method for generating price point based incentives comprising determining a category specific price point (620) associated with a dominant competitive brand and a client brand; and generating an incentive (630) for said client brand based upon said price point and an anticipated price differential (640).

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a personal identification number (PIN) from a client terminal are disclosed. A method includes storing, at the client terminal, PINs for plural prepaid services. The method also includes receiving, at the client terminal, a request for a PIN associated with a desired prepaid service corresponding to one of the plural prepaid services. A PIN request is then sent, from the client terminal, to a server when less than a predefined number of PINs associated with the desired prepaid service are stored at the client terminal. In response, one or more PINs associated with the desired prepaid service are received at the client terminal. The method further includes dispensing at least one PIN corresponding to the desired prepaid service from the client terminal.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first information processing unit, a presenting unit, an accepting unit, and a second information processing unit. The first information processing unit performs first information processing for providing a user with a service. The presenting unit presents a question to the user. The accepting unit accepts an answer to the question from the user. The second information processing unit performs second information processing regarding a charge for the service. The second information processing unit performs, as the second information processing, processing for collecting a determined charge for the service from the user in a case where the accepting unit does not accept an answer from the user. The second information processing unit performs, as the second information processing, processing for discounting the determined charge or processing for not collecting the determined charge in a case where the accepting unit accepts an answer from the user.

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. In one embodiment, a Multi-Media Management and Streaming (MMMS) System may be configured or designed to provide online users with “location based” streaming radio functionality. Users from different geographic locations may access a variety of MMMS System GUIs to access information relating to one or more artists/bands, songs, venues, and/or events such as live music performances. Users may also access a variety of MMMS System GUIs to search for, create, and/or share customized streaming radio stations which may be configured to identify, present information relating to, and/or play/stream music associated with one or more artists/bands, songs, venues, and/or events.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to consolidate redemption of electronic vouchers with electronic payments into a single transaction.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to link electronic voucher offers with complementary voucher offers and consolidate redemption of electronic vouchers with electronic payments into a single transaction.

Abstract: A commercial transaction management device includes a coupon creation control unit that receives a coupon issuance request containing sales terms when purchasing a plurality of items together from one user, a determination unit that determines whether to accept the sales terms based on information from a shop related to the items, and an issuance unit that issues an electronic coupon when it is determined to accept the sales terms. This enables an offer of a coupon that matches a desire of one user. In addition, the commercial transaction management device further includes a purchase receiving unit that receives a purchase order of a plurality of items with the sales terms from another user having received an offer of the coupon from one user, and therefore other users can also purchase a plurality of items with the sales terms contained in the coupon.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and point of sale system provide access to discounts and other benefits during shopping. The method includes receiving an input of a user identifier (ID) or a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) ID and identifying that the associated user is a recipient of specific benefits. The method also includes displaying a graphical interface that provides a subsidized list and an out-of-pocket list to visually communicate benefits available under a subsidy program to the user. The method further includes displaying an option to claim or refuse a benefit with respect to each individual product in the subsidized list. In response to receiving a user input to refuse to claim the benefit for a selected individual product, the method provides for moving the selected individual product from the subsidized list to the out-of-pocket list and displaying the selected individual product within the out-of-pocket list.

Abstract: Various aspects disclosed herein are directed to different techniques for: analyzing webpage content, and identifying references to artist names. When a match is identified, the web page may be dynamically and automatically modified to causes display of a “play” button next to the matched artist name displayed on the webpage. When the play button is selected by a user, this may cause a streaming media player to open at the user's system and begin playing streamed music relating to the matched artist.

Abstract: Disclosed are a complex payment system using a portable terminal, and a complex payment method. According to the present invention, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a vendor server may analyze and display an optimum payment condition containing a minimum payment amount using bonus information such as card information, discount information, membership point information, or coupon information when a user pays, thus preventing personal information leakage and enabling the user to pay a minimum amount by means of his/her credit card using the bonus information.

Abstract: Joint pricing and replenishment of freshness inventory or products having different qualities determines the joint pricing and inventory strategies to optimize the retailer's benefits from product freshness, employing a dynamic programming formulation that incorporates a demand model that captures consumer choice based on both the freshness and price.

Abstract: Various embodiments of group buying systems are described. The system enables users to form groups and designate a common delivery/pickup location (e.g., a single home or office), where group members may have their packages delivered. The system also may be configured to suggest that group members make group purchases (e.g., some or all group members by the same or similar items) and may facilitate of aggregation of packages for delivery to the designated common delivery/pickup location.

Abstract: A method for applying promotion codes to a payment transaction using a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a promotion application in communication with a server. The payment transaction includes a purchase made by a cardholder using a payment card over a payment card network. The method includes providing, by the promotion application, promotion data to the computing device, wherein the promotion data includes a merchant participating in the payment card network, a promotion program offered by the merchant, and promotion codes associated with the promotion program. The method further includes displaying the at least one promotion program on the computing device, receiving a selection of the at least one promotion program from the cardholder using the computing device, and sending the promotion codes associated with the selected promotion program to the server for a payment transaction that corresponds to the selected promotion program.

Abstract: Coupon code redemption and/or administration is contemplated. The coupon code administration may be performed by temporarily using specific codes in place of coupon codes. The specific code may be beneficial in restricting access to the coupon codes and/or swaying consumers to redeem coupon codes through certain service provider infrastructures. The specific code may be provided to a website when purchasing a product and replaced prior to purchase confirmation with the actual coupon code required for redemption.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) system may include an NFC tag comprising a memory configured to store geo-position data corresponding to a geographic position of the NFC tag, and a first NFC sensor coupled to the memory and configured to initiate a transaction based upon NFC communications. The NFC system may further include a mobile wireless communications device comprising a second NFC sensor and a controller coupled thereto. The controller may be configured to establish NFC communications with the first NFC sensor when in proximity thereto and retrieve the geo-position data therefrom, authenticate a geographic position of the NFC tag based upon the retrieved geo-position data, and perform the transaction with the NFC tag if the geographic position of the NFC tag is authenticated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for using a virtual gift card having an associated value, operable on a mobile device having a processor and memory, the mobile device linked to a virtual gift card manager, the method including: identifying a geographic identifier for the mobile device; matching the geographic identifier with at least one virtual gift card stored on the mobile device; determining an amount of value associated with the at least one virtual gift card; identifying any offers or promotions redeemable with the amount of value; displaying the at least one virtual gift card, the amount of value, and any offers or promotions on the mobile device; and selectively enabling a transaction utilizing the virtual gift card, the transaction based at least in part on the any offers or promotions, the transaction including a manipulation of value associated with the at least one virtual gift card.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for handling electronic coupons, particularly in the retail and/or service industry, whereby a mobile terminal device, particularly a mobile phone or smartphone is used to pay cashless for one or several products and/or services—products—at a pay terminal, whereby the data to execute the payment process/the payment are preferably transmitted wirelessly between the mobile terminal device and the payment terminal via near field communication (NFC), whereby a receipt with regard to the paid products is transmitted to the mobile terminal device, whereby using the receipt information on the receipt the mobile terminal device preferably sends a request to the central database, whereby the database processes the request, whereby the database provides an electronic coupon for a coupon product depending on the receipt information transmitted in the request and whereby the electronic coupon is automatically redeemed when paying for the coupon product.

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: Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station provides a plurality of functions including an online service selector function that enables a user at the user station to select any one of a plurality of available online service providers, and a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and the selected one of the available online service providers. Corresponding methods for operating a user station are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for redeeming virtual coupons by associating the coupons with a consumer and a payment system associated with the consumer. In some embodiments, the method includes distributing the enabled promotional offers, from one or more source sites, via the electronic contact addresses for the plurality of consumers, such that the promotional offers can be electronically accepted by at least some of the particular consumers with whom they are identified without redeeming the accepted offers. The method further includes electronically receiving a redemption of the promotional offer by means of the consumer's presentment of the associated payment system for purchasing the subject matter of the accepted promotional offer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products provide for generating a social network-based wish list of products desired by members of the social network and which are authorized to be purchased by other members of the social network on behalf of the member requesting the product. The present invention provides for automatically notifying a member of the social network that they are currently located at physical location, such as a retail store or the like, that currently has available one or more of the products on the wish list. The notifications may take the form of alerts communicated on the member's mobile communication device. Automatic notification occurs via a mobile communication device that is capable of identifying current location, determining that the current location has products available, and determine that one or more of the products currently available at the location are currently listed on the wish list.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. The user may view, select, sort and print desired coupons from the downloaded package. The user's demographic as well as coupon selection data is provided back to the online service and coupon distributor and issuers for subsequent marketing analysis. The online service can perform subsequent coupon processing on previously downloaded coupon packages such as variation of discount amounts. The online service provider can also determine how many times a particular coupon was viewed. When the printed coupons are presented at a retail store, the discount is provided to the user.

Abstract: A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of a network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. The user is awarded loyalty points from the merchant based on the amount of the purchase. The reward points, which are specific to the merchant and the user, are stored in a database at the issuing bank, the acquiring bank, or a central reward server. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. A promotion product filter can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The promotion product filter can include promotions from a plurality of programs.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. An approved product list can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The approved product list can include promotions from a plurality of programs.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods, which allow a more efficient shopping experience. A cascading commerce menu provides access to a plurality of product, service, and/or content categories. In one embodiment, the cascading commerce menu is stored on a client computer, thereby providing quick access to the menu.

Abstract: A system for purchasing electronic vouchers is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of kiosk terminals (100) for receiving payment made by the users of the system, a group of servers (140-142) for coordinating a purchase transaction and an e-voucher entity (180) for managing and supervising at least one voucher inventory (181,182,183). The kiosk terminals (100) are connected to the group of servers (140-142) in which the group of servers (140-142) establishes a connection with the e-voucher entity (180). The users of the system use the kiosk terminals (100) to purchase the electronic voucher selectable from the voucher inventory (181,182,183) from the e-voucher entity (180) which then sends the electronic voucher as purchased by the users to the users' mobile devices (110) in the form of a text message or a picture message or both.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed whereby credit and debit card transactions are processed at a merchant point-of-sale terminal in a manner that provides customers the opportunity to receive one or more charge enhancement offers which are presented to the customer on a record of charge.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. An approved product list can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The approved product list can include promotions from a plurality of programs.

Abstract: The invention provide means for enabling customers to request bids from various service providers in one or more virtual marketplaces created by an administrator, principally for transportation services such as taxis and limousines, delivery and cargo transport operations. In turn, customers receive a list of quality bids, filtered and ranked for various optimizing criteria, in a personalized bid display portion of a user application on a handheld device or PC. And, means for enabling service providers to access and interact with customers after a transaction produce highly personalized and customizable relationships, in part by incorporating elements of a social media platform and including positive incentives, thereby enabling both customers and service providers to benefit from increased efficiency and personalized control.

Abstract: A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a client computer and a server computer interconnected by a public packet switched communications network. The client computer is programmed to transmit to the server computer an order acceptance request terms or conditions of a proposed offer for a purchase, including multiple options of at least one of the terms or conditions of the offer. The server computer is programmed to process the order acceptance request based on pre-programmed criteria and based on the processing of the order acceptance request to transmit to the client computer an order acceptance response. The order acceptance response includes a plurality of amendments to the proposed offer for the purchase, including selection of an option of the at least one of the terms or conditions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of a mobile content creation, sharing, and commerce in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes communicating a positioning data of the mobile device to a server at a periodic interval, automatically generating in the mobile device, in response to the server, a present location profile associated with a present geographic location of the mobile device, simultaneously generating, in the mobile device, a set of adjacent profiles provided by the server as being a direction away from the present geographic location of the mobile device and refreshing, in the mobile device, the present location profile and the set of adjacent profiles at the periodic interval. The method may include automatically attaching a present sense data in the present location profile when a user selects a capture function in the present location profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for card marketing which collect benefit information about member stores of various financial cards, such as credit and debit cards, used for payment from all of the affiliated card companies and manage the collected benefit information, calculate the quantity of benefits for each card with respect to expenditure details of a financial card, cash, and banking of an individual in each member store without discriminating a company's own card from cards from other companies and recommend an optimum card having the largest benefits, and connect the card benefit information to an advertisement or induce the individual to be issued a new card, thereby effectively accomplishing card marketing.

Abstract: An individualized price offer is associated with the account information of a user in a data warehouse coupled with a transaction handler of a payment processing network. If the individualized price offer is applicable for a pre-authorization of a purchase, information about the price offer is communicated to a transaction terminal via an authorization response for the pre-authorization. The transaction terminal is configured to adjust the published price in accordance with the information about the price offer such that the user is presented with an individualized price at the transaction terminal before the user starts receiving the product or service. After the purchase, the transaction terminal computes the transaction amount according to the individualized price and request clearing and settlement of the transaction according to the transaction amount computed according to the individualized price.

Abstract: A system that facilitates providing of commercial offers is described. During operation, this system receives financial information associated with a user of financial software. Then, the system presents an icon corresponding to the commercial offer to the user. This commercial offer is targeted to the user based on a financial history of the user, which includes multiple transactions with multiple commercial establishments. Moreover, the icon exhibits animated behavior which can vary over time, and the user can pursue the commercial offer by interacting with the icon.

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: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for incentivizing users to create custom media stations. To incentivize users to create custom media stations, user can be granted rewards for meeting specified rewards conditions. Rewards conditions can be based on the user creating a custom media station as well as the performance of the user's custom media stations. Rewards granted to users as well as the size of the rewards can vary depending on various factors. Rewards can include any variety of possible rewards such as monetary rewards, credits to purchase items, uninterrupted media station play, etc. A countdown timer indicating the remaining amount of uninterrupted media station play can be presented during the uninterrupted media station play. The countdown timer can be replaced with a message indicating that the uninterrupted media play has been exhausted upon the remaining amount of uninterrupted media station play time expiring.

Abstract: A system and method for a user to have a credit card, debit card, or stored value card that is linked to their reward points account in such a way as to permit them to pay for purchases with a merchant by using the card, wherein the merchant uses the existing credit card payment infrastructure as if payment were being made/authorized by a bank linked to the credit card or debit card account, but in fact the card is linked to the user's reward points account. In this manner, the user and merchant can use the reward points account to pay for purchases in a seamless manner whereby reward points are used for consideration rather than or as a supplement to cash and traditional credit.