Abstract: A dynamic loyalty service system allows a product provider to create a demand plan that identifies anticipated demand for a service over a number of time segments. The dynamic loyalty service system generates the demand plan using information about historic commercial data about the service and historic patterns of usage of the product by the provider's loyalty program participants. The dynamic loyalty service system allows a user to identify targets for the various time segments, wherein the targets specify desired adjustments to the demand during the respective time segment. The dynamic loyalty service system uses the demand plan and the adjustment targets to generate a communication plan that specifies the messages to be sent to the provider's loyalty program participants and the communication modality for delivering the messages.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for offering product deals to users based on the online behavior and other information of groups of users. This information associated with multiple users within groups and individuals having common interests in products to be purchased online and information associated with a finite set of data elements in the computer application are analyzed to determine a configuration of the data elements such that user access to relevant information and shopping deals is improved. In some embodiments, deals are offered to “swarms” of individuals with common interest and are made active upon acceptance of the deal by a minimum number of buyers. Deals may be automatically generated based on parameters defined by a vendor.

Abstract: Methods and systems provided can incentivize consuming, sharing, and interacting with online content by providing redeemable points to users for their interaction with content. Points may be redeemed for real or virtual goods and services. Profiles on social networking websites relating to users or their social circles can be mined using natural language processing to determine topical interests relevant to users to facilitate displaying online content most likely to be of interest to users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a call are disclosed. One example method may include receiving a request at a server for dealer information. The request may be initiated by a user via his or her mobile station. The example method may also include determining whether there is user preference information and user location information included in the request. The information may be used to limit the amount of search results to increase relevancy. The method may also include searching a database for at least one dealer based on the user preference information and the user location information, and transferring the at least one dealer information to the user.

Abstract: One aspect is a method of offering discounted goods or services including processing a requested financial transaction from a user at a point-of-sale location via a transaction processor system. Data from the requested financial transaction is compared to an existing database reflective of data from previously requested financial transactions of the user. A discount offer based upon data from previously requested financial transactions of the user is generated. The discount offer is communicated to the user at the point-of-sale location in conjunction with the completion of the requested financial transaction.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment relates to identifying telecom users. An exemplary method comprises collecting, with a computing device, call usage data based on the call usage of a new telecom user, comparing, with a computing device, the collected call usage data with existing call usage data stored within a call usage database to determine if the collected call usage data for the new telecom user corresponds with the existing call usage data for an existing telecom user, assigning the new telecom user a user identifier corresponding to the existing telecom user if it is determined that the collected call usage data for the new telecom user corresponds with the existing call usage data for an existing telecom user, and assigning the new telecom user a new user identifier if it is determined that the collected call usage data for the new telecom user does not correspond with the existing call usage data for an existing telecom user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined social behavior tracking, online surveillance and web bot software technologies via a mobile device or computer for tracking online consumer behavior and data, cookies, embedded advertisements, predicting online consumer behavior, buying patterns by monitoring online activities, online communications, search inquiries, social networking, social plugins, social applications, advertisements, purchasing, behavior, and buying patterns, consumer address books and contact lists, blogs, chat rooms, friends, acquaintances and strangers, instant messaging, text chat, internet forum, service providers, travel and hospitality, real estate, educational services, ancillary services (as defined herein) and delivery system for behavior targeting and filtering of coupons, mobile services, products, goods and services, advertisements and service providers and related company information on a three dimensional geospatial platform using multi-dimensional and scalable geospatial mapp

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer readable media, methods, and systems are described for identifying a change or an increased likelihood of a change in a usage pattern of an account, generating an offer in response to the identifying, the offer comprising an incentive for use of the account in future transactions, and causing transmission of the offer.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for providing customer rewards programs are presented. According to one or more aspects, it may be determined, based on transaction history information, that a group of accountholders is associated with a common interest. Subsequently, it may be determined that one or more entities provide offerings relevant to the common interest. Thereafter, at least one new rewards program may be automatically created with the one or more entities, and the at least one new rewards program may allow the group of accountholders to earn rewards associated with the common interest. According to one or more additional aspects, it may be determined, for a particular accountholder, based on transaction history information associated with the accountholder, that a first rewards program in which the accountholder is not currently enrolled is more advantageous to the accountholder than a second rewards program in which the customer is currently enrolled.

Abstract: A computer system processes transaction data about a customer's purchase. The computer system may access green index data that includes information about environmentally green purchases for green purchases. Based on comparing the green index data and the transaction data, an award may be provided to the customer in accordance with at least one purchase criterion, such as the purchase price and/or the degree of greenness of the purchased item. The account data for the customer is consequently updated for the award. The green index data may be derived by obtaining a list of candidate merchants and by comparing characteristics of a candidate merchant with at least one green factor. The candidate merchant may then be included in the green index data when a merchant score is greater than a predetermined score, where the merchant score may be based on the green characteristics of the candidate merchant.

Abstract: An enhanced relationship server may analyze the relationship of an individual, group, and/or organization with respect to an entity. Based on this analysis, the enhanced relationship server may determine a relationship level of the individual, group, and/or organization with respect to the entity. The determined relationship level may be used to provide an appropriate incentive to maintain a relationship with the entity and/or strengthen an existing relationship with the entity. In addition, the enhanced relationship server may determine a social network of the individual, group, and/or organization and may use the social network as an aid in determining the appropriate reward/incentive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for a unique offer determination system. In one embodiment of the invention, offers are provided based on a projected path of a user triggered by a transaction at a point-of-transaction device. The system receives data associated with a transaction at a point-of-transaction device, determines the identity of the user conducting the transaction, predicts a projected path or future action of the user based on the transaction, and provides an offer to the user based on the projected path. In an embodiment, the system predicts the projected path based on pattern recognition analysis of the user's transaction history.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for a unique offer system, wherein the offer is generated based on proximity to a point-of-transaction device. In one embodiment of the invention, the computer-implemented method receives data associated with a financial transaction at a point-of-transaction device. The computer-implemented method then identifies the identity of the user conducting the transaction and the location of the transaction. Using the location of transaction, the computer-implemented method determines offers located in proximity to the user and provides those offers to the user. In some embodiments, the offers are customized for the user based on some characteristic of the transaction or the user. In further embodiments, the user is guided to a business associated with the offer by directions provided by the computer-implemented method.

Abstract: An enhanced product search system and method are disclosed. The system comprises a search query obtaining component that obtains a search query entered by a user, and an incentive searching component that compares the search query to an incentive database containing incentives associated with goods and services and retrieves information on any incentive relating to the search query. The system also has a security component that compares the search query to a security database containing security information on the safety of websites and retrieves any security information relating to the search query. A notifying component of the system notifies the user of any incentives found by the incentive searching component and any security information found by the security component.

Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium in accordance with a print command transmitted from an external device; a print history writing unit configured to record print history concerning image formation by the image formation unit in a server connected to the image forming device via a network; and a writing information transmission unit configured to transmit, to the external device, writing information including information indicating whether the print history writing unit has successfully recorded the print history in the server.

Abstract: A system for managing a purchase agreement, including: a memory element for at least one specially-programmed general purpose computer for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP) and a purchase agreement between a customer and at least one business entity, the purchase agreement including at least one requirement regarding at least one retail transaction between the customer and the business entity; a processor in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for: compiling a purchasing history for the customer with respect to the business entity and the purchase agreement, the memory element for storing the purchasing history, and modifying, using the purchasing history and the AIP, the at least one requirement to increase revenue or profitability of the business entity; and an interface element in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for transmitting the modified at least one requirement for presentation to the customer.

Abstract: A method of generating and redeeming a plurality of coupons includes generating a first coupon, generating a second coupon, distributing the first coupon to the first consumer, and distributing the second coupon to the second consumer. Generating a first coupon includes selecting a first group of offers from a plurality of offers such that the first group of offers is individually customized to the first consumer, and printing a first bar code identifying a first account and indicating that the first coupon relates to the first group of offers. Generating a second coupon includes selecting a second group of offers, and printing a second bar. Each of the plurality of offers is redeemable for a discount on a corresponding one of a plurality of products offered for sale, and the first group of offers differs from the second group of offers.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for implementing personalized targeting via electronic coupons, providing aggregate cap control of electronic coupons, implementing viral marketing using electronic coupons, and performing real time processing of electronic coupons.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for efficiently authorizing a transaction initiated by a consumer. An authorization can be generated before the consumer actually initiates the transaction. For example, a future transaction can be predicted, and an authorization can be generated for the predicted transaction. In this manner, the authorization can be ready and quickly used when the consumer does initiate the transaction. Previous transactions made by the consumer can be used to predict when the future transaction is likely. In various examples, the authorization can be sent to a specific merchant or to the consumer for use when the consumer initiates the predicted transaction, or saved by an authorization server for use in response to an authorization request from the merchant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method use client information to automatically select products appropriate for the client. According to one aspect of the invention, client information, information about the products, ancillary data, and decision criteria pertaining to selection from among the products are stored in a storage device Decision-making logic circuitry use the stored data to select the products. An output device prepares a client communication identifying the selected products and incorporates a portion of the client information and a portion of the product information into the client communication.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing a dynamic purchase incentive to a purchase of a product. A product identification is input into a purchasing device which transmits it to a discount server computer along with customer identification data. The discount server computer uses the product identification to retrieve from a product discount database associated product discount data, and uses the customer identification data to retrieve from a customer profile database associated customer profile data. The discount server computer uses the retrieved customer profile data and the product identification to generate a dynamic purchase incentive to be applied to the purchase of the product by the customer, the incentive varying as a function of the retrieved customer profile data and the product identification. The discount server computer transmits the purchase incentive to the purchasing device, and the purchase incentive is applied to the purchase of the product by the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing shared electronic coupons are provided. According to one aspect, the electronic coupon may include a coupon benefit display region displaying a textual and/or graphical representation of a coupon benefit. The electronic coupon may further include a candidate display region displaying a list of one or more friends of the user who are determined to be redeemer candidates from among friends in a social network profile or address book of the user. Each redeemer candidate friend in the list has an associated selector, and selection by the user of a selector corresponding to a friend causes the client device to send a message to a coupon server to instruct the coupon server to send the electronic coupon to a client device of the selected friend. Predictive models generated through machine learning may aid in selecting the user to which coupons are distributed and the redeemer candidates.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to providing disruptively priced or free financial services or goods in exchange for participation in opt-in advertising. A user may opt-in to receive some form of advertising on his or her phone. The advertising may appear in a mobile wallet application used to pay for goods or services. The advertising may be related to products the user has previously purchased using the mobile wallet application. An electronic payment system that provides the mobile wallet application tracks and stores items that the user purchases using the mobile wallet. The electronic payment system then analyzes the user's purchasing habits to identify advertisements and/or promotions that may be of interest to the user. The promotions (such as coupons) may then be sent to the user's mobile wallet application and applied automatically when the user purchases that item using the mobile wallet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: Example systems and methods of generating and providing personalized purchase offers based on item-level purchase data are presented. In one example, item-level purchase data from multiple sources for each of a plurality of users are aggregated. The aggregated item-level purchase data include item-level purchase data from a physical retail receipt. Offer data are received from offer providers. At least one user is selected to receive an offer targeted to the at least user based on the aggregated item-level purchase data and the offer data. The offer is transmitted to a communication device of the at least one user.

Abstract: Consumer, merchant, and transactional data from a closed loop network and external sources may be leveraged to increase demand of a merchant's inventory during normally low-demand periods. Extensive data mining is used to determine the excess merchant inventory and demand patterns at different times and different locations for merchants and groups of merchants. Similar data mining is used to analyze cardmember demand patterns to identify the cardmember preferences regarding when and where they which to purchase goods and/or services. Cardmembers may also be grouped based on their demand patterns. Using pricing as a lever, cardholders with specific preferences are targeted to shift the demand from peak periods and locations to non-peak periods and locations, and to increase the non-peak demand by location as well as time period. Higher precision may be obtained using product level transaction data from point-of-sale terminals used by merchants wherever applicable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupon is created. The coupon includes a delivery date and data associated with a variable value schema, the schema dependent upon an elapsed time between the delivery date and redemption of the coupon.

Abstract: A system for personalizing interaction between a user communicating over at least one communication channel and a provider of information/products/services, the user having a communication device for communication over the channel with the provider, the system comprising a channel interface for interfacing with the channel, an information/product/service interface for interfacing with an information/product/service provider; and a knowledge management system coupled to the channel and information/product/service interface, the knowledge management system comprising a knowledge management repository storing information concerning the user, the information obtained from interaction with the user over the channel including current interactions between the user and the knowledge management system, and further storing information concerning a plurality of information/products/services to offer to the user, and a personalization engine for making a decision as to which of the plurality of information/product/servic

Abstract: A method for voice ordering utilizing catalog taxonomies and hierarchical categorization relationships in product information management (PIM) systems includes: prompting a user with a query to input speech into a speech recognition engine; translating the inputted speech into a series of words; querying a product information management component (PIM) based on the series of words; wherein the querying is performed as a matching algorithm against PIM category and attribute keywords; returning coded results to a voice synthesizer to produce at least one of: a voice response, and a text response to the user; and wherein in the coded results indicate one or more of: a not found message for zero matches, a confirmation of a suitable single match, a request for additional information in the event one or more of the following occurs: more than one matching item, category, and item attribute was found in the PIM.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel system and method for implementing an electronic customer loyalty rewarding service that awards credits for continued patronage of a vendor, where the credits can be spent at the vendor or with other vendors that participate in the service.

Abstract: A system for marketing, to a prospective payer, a system which automates payments to enrolled vendors. The system comprises a vendor history file received from the prospective payer which associates identifying attributes and annual spend value with each target vendor to which the payer makes payments. Marketing instructions include, for each target vendor, determining a rebate potential by: i) using the identifying attributes to determine a industry code to associate with the target vendor; ii) using the industry code to look up a sensitivity rating; iii) calculating a transaction fee rate as a function of the sensitivity rating; and iv) calculating rebate potential as the product of the spend value multiplied by the transaction fee rate. An onboard report includes identification of the prospective payer and in association with the identification of the prospective payer, the rebate potential.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining neutrality while trading a list of securities using an algorithmic trading facility coupled with at least one destination. This destination includes at least one alternative trading system (ATS). This facility is coupled, via an electronic data network, to a plurality of trading clients, and configured to receive a trade request to trade a list of securities from a trading client. This request includes user defined trading constraints that are used to generate and transmit trade orders to at least one ATS. The orders are transmitted based on trading data related to the destinations, the trade list, and the trading constraints. The facility can identify each executed trade corresponding to the trade orders and calculate a trade imbalance. The facility can determine whether the trade imbalance exceeds the trading constraints, and reallocate one or more of said submitted orders based on this determination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing incentives to consumers to share their consumer information with third parties is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided which includes the steps of: accepting consumer information; storing the consumer information; requesting permission from the consumer to share their consumer information with a third party; and offering the consumer a selected incentive in exchange for their permission to share their consumer information.

Abstract: An internet-based method for compensating non-commercial user actions, the method comprising the steps of: receiving from a seller a description of its product offering, and parameters of its offering including the percentage of seller's profit to be realized from the sale of the product during a preset sale period, which seller agrees to share with users who indicate interest in the seller's product; displaying at least a portion of the description of the seller's product offering on a document of a web platform; facilitating at least one indication of interest in the seller's product by users, including recording at least one of user's indication of interest; providing data to seller regarding the interest indicated by users in the seller's offering; receiving payment from seller, the payment including said percentage of seller's profit; and, distributing to users their share of the payment received from seller.

Abstract: A system and method for data recipient invoked electronic commerce allowing data subjects to provide and data recipients to receive information over a network relating to the needs of a data subject such as purchases, distribution of application information and the like. The system includes a server having software which gathers the information from a data subject to complete a transaction. The system has a data subject data structure that stores information for registered data subjects. The software can access the data subject data structure and enter the data subject's information during subsequent transactions. Having the software obtain and enter the data subject's purchasing information, the data subject does not have to enter the same information every time the data subject desires to effect a transaction over the network. In alternate embodiments, the same technology can be applied to other arenas where a user enters the same repetitive information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for allocating loyalty rewards to a customer in advance of the customer earning the reward based at least in part on historical purchasing performance. For example, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, the customer/participant is rewarded (e.g., provided rewards points or bestowed another reward) at the onset of a year based on the previous year's purchasing behavior/program participation, and as the customer/participant transacts throughout the ensuing year the purchases/transactions are decremented against the reward.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing online promotions integrated with social network-based platforms are disclosed. Promotion details such as rules, offered prizes, incentives and descriptions, survey questions, display banners, terms and conditions, privacy policy, and social networks to integrate the promotion with, are provided by the sponsoring organization to a server. The server generates a custom promotion application and/or widget for integrating with the organization's social network webpage and/or webpages external to social networks. A participant enters the promotion through these webpages or other links and lists friends in the social network to receive an invitation to enter the promotion.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program to establish whether a user will likely conduct repeat business with a vendor presenting a commercial offer. If the system determines the user is likely to conduct repeat business with the vendor, the system will present the offer in a first format, and if the system determines the user is less likely do conduct repeat business with the vendor, the system will present the offer in a second format. In the second format, the offer is either more expensive or less prominently displayed as compared to the first format.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing actions performed by users referred to a target site from particular referring sites or groups thereof, and for using the results of such analyses to select particular items to recommend to users. The referring sites may, for example, be affiliate sites that refer users to a merchant site in accordance with an affiliate marketing program.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product.

Abstract: A method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices whereby a marketing device management system obtains: data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants; location refinement data associated with the merchants; location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; and location refinement data associated with a consumer. The marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. The location refinement matching filter uses all, or part of: the location refinement data associated with the merchant; the location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; and the location refinement data associated with the consumer; to determine the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state. The most relevant marketing devices are then provided to the consumer.

Abstract: The disclosed system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of merchants, products, services, vacation destinations or other offerings that might be of interest based on the purchases of similar card members. In one instance, this process looks at all card members that made purchases at a merchant and then it identifies all other merchants in the same category where those card members also made purchases. The associated merchants are ranked based on largest number of shared card members and the top results may be shared with card members or merchants in order to enhance promotions, card use and marketing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for facilitating acquisition of customers for merchants through targeted offers to prospective customers; improving the precision of targeting by Prospect Profiling and Intent Prediction. In certain embodiments, the system supports monetizing sources of data which contribute to Prospect Profiling and Intent Prediction, such as purchase history, third-party SNP data. In other embodiments, a “Customer acquisition fee” serves as the underlying business model for the Service Provider of the Platform. The system provides cost-effective marketing where merchants pay only after conversion of prospect to customer. Customers get higher savings through Opportunity Auctioning amongst merchants with the value of Discount offer as part of Bid.

Abstract: Techniques for bundle generation are described. Some embodiments include a mobile marketplace system (“MMS”) configured to provide dynamically generated content bundles to users in a mobile marketplace. Providing a dynamically generated content bundle may include generating a content bundle that includes multiple related content items, such as songs, ringtones, images, videos, or the like. Some embodiments generate linked bundles that include content items that share one or more attributes, such as artist, genre, or content provider. In other embodiments, content bundles may be generated based on activities of one or more users, including purchase or browsing history. The MMS may also determine a discounted price for a generated content bundle based on pricing information associated with the content items of the bundle. In addition, the MMS may assure compliance with license terms or other safeguards associated with content items.

Abstract: A method and a system stores records of financial transactions from a user in a centralized location. A processor-implemented receipt module receives a record of a financial transaction from a mobile device. A processor-implemented item identification module identifies an item from the record of the financial transaction. A processor-implemented catalog module retrieves data corresponding to the identified item. A storage device stores the record of the financial transaction associated with the identified item along with the corresponding data.

Abstract: A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, a telephone number or a hyperlink is provided adjacent to a total amount owed listed on a statement (e.g., an electronically-displayed billing statement). The offers reviewed may be customized, for example, based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.