Abstract: A system and method for supporting existing merchants and malls to better serve customers by providing easy access to merchandise and sales assistants over a communication network in order to display items dynamically and to provide expert information on products. The shopping experience is enhanced by a portable client identification to allow ease of shopping and checkout. For items purchased that need installation or service or support, access to live experts is provided. Direct connection to service providers is available over the network. If a shopper does not find the desired merchandise he is referred to another merchant who has the product with the referring merchant receiving a commission or other consideration.

Abstract: A method for identifying and offering rewards is provided. A user's transaction history or category history, such as, for example, spending history, transaction history, merchant history, purchases history, services history, product history, channel history, frequency of spending history, SKU history, redemption history, reward earnings history, earning levels, reward categories, or currency type, currency history, customer responses to questions, and/or other data or information that enables identification of relevant rewards is determined. Next, at least one reward category based on the user's transaction history or reward category history is dynamically prioritized, and at least one top reward category based on the dynamic prioritizing of the at least one reward category is determined. Finally, the user is dynamically rewarded discounts, rebates, coupons, or other reward incentives based on the least one top reward category.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to comparison shopping and usage based service analysis for consumers, primarily for financial products. A consumer may not be aware of a provider's services, options, terms, conditions, costs, or how the service options change based on the consumer's particular usage characteristics. The disclosed comparison shopping method uses the consumer's actual or predicted service usage data. Service provider information is used to present the consumer with relevant alternative service offering options. Transaction data is gathered from a user's financial account and is analyzed for a savings opportunity indication. The analysis is used to match a savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities, and the savings opportunity may be displayed in a statement of a user's financial account. Past responses to a savings opportunity indication may be gathered and analyzed. In one example, a savings opportunity is presented with a statement of the consumer's financial account.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating the management of current and prospective customers and customer information is provided. The invention includes an aggregation system adapted to provide management and generation of current and prospective customers. The invention further provides management of current and prospective customer information. Additionally, the aggregation system provides for generating advertisements based at least in part upon market information. Finally, the present invention also includes a printstream aggregation method facilitating the printing of print orders.

Abstract: The demand aggregation system includes deal room sponsored by a third party host. The third party host facilitates commercial transactions between a plurality of buyers and at least one seller. In exchange for sponsorship of such a deal room, the third party host can receive an incentive such as a percentage of sales, seller discount or the like. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to aid discovery of sellers and/or offers that can be included in a group buying event for a buying group. The buying group receives a greater discount as the total purchase amount in the group buying event increases.

Abstract: A consumer can use his or her cell phone to scan barcodes from newspaper circulars at home, on a computer screen at home and/or to scan coupon barcodes positioned on the edge of shelves in a store or displayed on a kiosk in a store. The data from all these coupons is be combined into (preferably) a single 2D barcode or in the event of a large number of coupons, into a smaller number of 2D barcodes on the cell phone's display, for scanning by an imaging barcode scanner at the point of sale. This 2D barcode can also include the user's loyalty card information, so reading a single barcode off the screen of the phone can accomplish what formerly required multiple individual scans to accomplish.

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: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for monitoring compliance in reporting unclaimed property. The method is capable of identifying both potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters. In this regard, potential under-reporters may be identified as a result of a multilevel review that may take into account the recent reporting history, both in terms of frequency and the type and quantity of unclaimed property that has been reported. The potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters may then be further evaluated, such as by means of an audit or other follow up procedure, to insure compliance.

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: A system, method and computer program product is described that matches commercial incentives to consumers based on targeting data associated with the commercial incentive and user data associated with consumers in a manner that advantageously allows for highly-targeted delivery of commercial incentives to the consumers that are most likely to use them. Because both the targeting data and the user data may include spatial, temporal, social and topical data, matching may be performed based on any or all of these data types, as well as based on any combination of these data types.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for logging and evaluating activity to support optimizing and streamlining a process, such as a business process. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method include receiving information representative of activity at a user interface. The received information may be aggregated to form aggregated data. The received information may be evaluated to determine one or more proposals. The evaluation may use the context of a task being performed at the user interface and the activity at the user interface. The one or more proposals may be provided to enable a configuration of a system or a business process with at least one of the proposals. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a conditional purchase may include gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the data for a savings opportunity indication. A savings opportunity is matched to the user based on the savings opportunity indication. The user may provide a conditional purchase offer for a good or service identified by the savings opportunity, wherein the offer specifies at least one of a desired discount and an offer price. The conditional purchase offer is compared with at least one of an inventory and a pricing information to determine if the conditional purchase offer is acceptable. If the conditional purchase offer is acceptable, the customer may be bound to purchase the good or service. If the conditional purchase offer is not acceptable, the user may modify at least one of the discount and offer price of the conditional purchase offer to try to gain acceptance again.

Abstract: A system and method for matching a savings opportunity using census data includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. Third party census data related to a geographic location of the user may be used in addition to the savings opportunity indication to match a savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities to the user. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of the user's financial account.

Abstract: A system and method for matching a savings opportunity using third party data includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. Third party data regarding the savings opportunity may be used in addition to the savings opportunity indication to match a savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities to the user. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of the user's financial account.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for matching buyers and sellers in an anonymous online marketplace. One embodiment of a method for defining a community of network users includes collecting data relating to the network users, where the data is of at least one of the following types: demographic information relating to the network users, Internet Protocol address information relating to the network users, and Internet Protocol traffic information relating to the network users. The collected data is then anonymized, where the anonymizing is performed individually for each type of data. The anonymized data is aggregated to generate an activity-to-demographic mapping representative of network activity associated with particular demographics of the community of network users.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a savings opportunity matched to a spend pattern in association with a financial account includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the transaction data for a spend pattern. A savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities is matched to the user based on the spend pattern. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of a user's financial account.

Abstract: A system and method for financial institution- and merchant-driven savings opportunity matching includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account, wherein the user's financial account is a financial institution account that is maintained on behalf of the user and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. A filter may be applied to a database of savings opportunities prior to matching one to the user based on the savings opportunity indication. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of a user's financial account.

Abstract: A system and method for providing socially enabled rewards through a user financial instrument includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. A savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities is matched to the user based on the savings opportunity indication, wherein the savings opportunity can be shared with other users or a social network. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of a user's financial account and the user is allowed to share the savings opportunity, wherein sharing causes a shared savings opportunity to be generated. A second user, one who received the shared savings opportunity, can redeem the shared savings opportunity. The sharing and redemption of the shared savings opportunity is tracked, such as to improve targeting users who are influential based on the number of redemptions of the shared savings opportunity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing rewards through a user financial instrument includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account, wherein the user's financial account is a financial institution account that is maintained on behalf of the user and analyzing the transaction data to determine a reward level. The savings opportunity from the merchant may be matched to the user based on the reward level. The user is enabled to redeem the savings opportunity during a subsequent transaction with the merchant.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a future reward through a user financial instrument includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account, wherein the user's financial account is a financial institution account that is maintained on behalf of the user and analyzing the transaction data to determine a future savings opportunity accessible to the user after completion of a goal. Systems and methods track progress towards completing the goal. The user is enabled to obtain the future savings opportunity when the goal is completed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a geo-enhanced savings opportunity in association with a financial account includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. A savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities is matched to the user based on the savings opportunity indication. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of a user's financial account. A response to the savings opportunity is tracked in order to receive an indication of whether or not the savings opportunity has been accepted. If it was not accepted, an additional incentive to accept the savings opportunity may be made when the user is in a geographic location set by a merchant offering the savings opportunity.

Abstract: A system and method for user-driven savings opportunity matching includes gathering transaction data from a user's financial account, wherein the user's financial account is a financial institution account that is maintained on behalf of the user and analyzing the transaction data for a savings opportunity indication. A savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities is matched to the user based on the savings opportunity indication. The savings opportunity is displayed in association with a statement of a user's financial account, and the user is allowed to interact with the savings opportunity. The interaction data may be used to drive a subsequent match of a savings opportunity.

Abstract: A computer implemented method markets a particular product in an e-commerce system. A web page server receives a request for a current web page that displays a particular product. The request is accompanied by an authorization indicium to retrieve a content of a previous web page that offered the particular product at a previous price. A current price for the particular product is dynamically adjusted based on the previous price offered on the previous web page, and is then presented on the current web page.

Abstract: Utilization of information in a closed loop data system further augments modeling while at the same time enabling customization of offers based on spend patterns. Data mining techniques are leveraged to identify rules to determine higher response rate populations. These rules are referred to herein as “triggers,” in that the presence of particular attributes will trigger a cardholder as being more likely to respond to a particular offer. The benefit yielded by this approach is a greater acceptance rate to an offer provided by a transactional account company. To identify the triggers, records of cardmembers who already utilize a given product are analyzed to determine their spend patterns. The spend histories of customers who are eligible to use the product are analyzed according to the identified triggers. Customers whose spend patterns most closely correspond to the triggers are then targeted with offers for the given product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to generate a tool to predict voluntary account attrition in a payment processing system. In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a data warehouse configured to store transaction data of accounts issued by a plurality of issuers; and at least one processor configured to calculate values of a first plurality of variables for each of the accounts using the transaction data of the accounts issued by the plurality of issuers. The accounts include attrition accounts and non-attrition accounts. The at least one processor is further configured to identify a second plurality of variables from the first plurality of variables for a predictive model to distinguish, using the values and logistic regression, the attrition accounts from the non-attrition accounts.

Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.

Abstract: A paperless coupon redemption system, consisting of manufacturers or distributors loading coupons into a database for use by consumers. Consumers being able to access an internet interface to view, find and select coupons, and redeem them at the point of sale with an issued PVC card containing a unique reference number. The point of sale terminals are equipped with a hardware or software module which facilities the interaction between the POS machines and coupon database. The hardware and software modules work by collecting the UPC codes of products to be purchased, and transmitting these to a server along with the customer reference number. The server returns the UPC codes of applicable coupons, which are then transmitted into the POS system.

Abstract: An automated membership system including (i) an article containing readable data to identify a user and (ii) a server for (a) storing the profile data of the user, the profile data including data representing a first identifier; (b) receiving from the user a request message identifying a vendor; (c) providing the user's profile data to the vendor, so as to enable the vendor to carry out a transaction with the user based on a second identifier; (d) storing the second identifier in association with the user's profile data, wherein the vendor accesses the second identifier based on a query including the first identifier read from the article, so as to enable the vendor to carry out a transaction with the user based on the second identifier.

Abstract: An automated system determines appropriate compliance information for documents pertaining to financial products or services. The compliance information can vary on each document depending on the particular financial product and/or financial service, and based on both company and jurisdictional requirements.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methods for fulfilling reward redemptions. In some cases, the systems and methods receive redemption requests associated with an account. The redemption request can be satisfied from a reward associated with the account, or by accessing a reward associated with another account. Redeeming a reward from another account can involve transferring value from one account to another, or grouping the related accounts and allowing members of the group to perform the settlement function. Various of the systems and method further provide for performing automatic reward redemptions, either by an entity maintaining the account to which the reward is associated, or through use of a fulfillment entity.

Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server including one or more linked databases to store customer data associated with a loyalty program of a retailer, where the customer data including at least one retailer account and purchase history associated with a customer. The server further includes a processor to select a brand associated with an allocation category and determine an amount the customer spends on the allocation category. The processor determines a likelihood of brand switching indicating a likelihood of the customer purchasing the selected brand according to the purchase history associated with the customer. The processor also allocates one or more brand switching offers for the selected brand to the at least one retailer account associated with the customer for the selected brand based on at least the amount the customer spends on the allocation category and the likelihood of brand switching.

Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server includes one or more linked databases storing customer data including at least one retailer account and purchase history associated with the customer. The server including a processor to allocate at least one customized offer to the retailer account using at least the purchase history associated with the customer, the at least one customized offer including a loyalty adjustment changing a general market price point of a retail product in accordance with a competitor price. The processor further displays to the customer, via the interface, a display page including the at least one customized offer and an option for selection of the at least one customized offer. The processor also updates, upon reception of the customer input indicating selection of the at least one customized offer, the retailer account to indicate selection of the at least one customized offer.

Abstract: Operational management of a multi-media system includes assessing end user performance with respect to operation of a multi-media device in the multi-media system. Upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, the operational management further includes identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the multi-media device and/or operations of another multi-media device in the multi-media system that is engaged in a media activity concurrent with the end user of the multi-media device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a loyalty program by utilizing a pre-existing association network. When a consumer is registered with the program, the consumer's personal information is stored in a database and associated with a token ID. The token is capable of initiating a transaction message request over an association network when used in conjunction with a merchant transaction system. A program manager is provided that includes an association network interface for receiving over the association network the transaction request message initiated by the token at a merchant, where the transaction request message includes a first set of transaction information regarding a consumer-initiated product purchase transaction.

Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server includes one or more linked databases to store customer data associated with a loyalty program of a retailer. The server includes a processor configured to select a retail product from a plurality of retail products associated with the retailer. The processor determines a first percentage indicating a percentage of time the loyalty customer purchases the selected retail product on promotion, and determines a second percentage indicating an average percentage of time a plurality of customers forming a peer group purchases the selected retail product on promotion. Further, the processor determines a comparison result by comparing the first and second percentages. Additionally, the processor allocates at least one customized offer to the retailer account associated with the loyalty customer according to at least the comparison result.

Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server includes one or more linked databases to store customer data, where the customer data includes at least one retailer account and purchase history associated with the customer. The server includes a processor to allocate at least one customized offer to the retailer account using at least the purchase history associated with the customer, where the at least one customized offer includes a loyalty adjustment changing a general market price point of a product in accordance with the customized offer. The processor redeems the customized offer upon receiving a purchase notification. The customized offer is redeemed by associating the product with the loyalty adjustment independent of the general market price point associated with the product at a time of reception of the purchase notification.

Abstract: A system and method for associating a document with a concept are provided. One or more idea-electronic document associations is identified, wherein each idea-electronic document association is based on a user performance criteria relative to the electronic document and the idea. At least one of the one or more electronic documents is identified with a concept based on the one or more idea-electronic document associations, wherein the concept is related to the one or more ideas.

Abstract: In a method of obtaining merchandise information from a store system using speech processing technology to determine a spoken query entry, an information inquiry from a customer regarding a particular product is received via a communication network. The location of the customer is determined, which is then used to determine a store closest to the customer. A merchandise database is searched for the inquired information regarding the particular product, wherein searching the merchandise database is limited to products available at the store closest to the customer location. The inquired information is retrieved from the merchandise database, and transmitted to the customer.

Abstract: An on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may browse a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program also calculates award points, updates the award account of enrolled users, and communicates that number of awarded points to the user. Enrolled users may browse through an award catalog and electronically redeem an amount of awarded points towards an award. The program then electronically places an award redeeming order with the fulfillment house and updates the user's award account.

Abstract: A method for outputting information about a person includes identifying the person utilizing a wireless system upon entry into a physical location, and also includes locating the person within the physical structure. An engagement plan is retrieved based on the identification of the person and output. The engagement plan has information useful for interacting with the person. The engagement plan is created based at least in part on personal information of the person, the preferences of the person, and the past transactions of the person. A system for outputting information about a person, such as a customer, includes an object carried by the person, which is capable of being identified by a wireless system. A wireless interface communicates with the object. A computing device correlates the identification of the object with the person. An output device outputs information relating to the person.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting targeted offer advertisements to qualified customers while browsing the Internet. A designated interaction region such as a frame or border is positioned on each advertisement, and when a customer activates the border by clicking on or hovering a cursor there over, a menu of selectable options is displayed, from which the customer may select to perform an action on the offer. For instance, the customer may select an option to save the targeted offer to an offer library for later review. Additionally, the customer may select an option to access the offer library to review details of saved offers.

Abstract: A communication system with client devices in communication with at least one communication network. User data stores are also in communication with the communications network and store user data of users using respective ones of the client devices. Offer data stores also in communication with the communications network store offers from merchants. A narrowcasting engine includes an active data gathering module to collect the user data, and an active learning module to generate a user profile based on the user data. The communication engine selects dynamically offers from the offer data store based on the profile, and communicates the selected offers in the offer data store to the users.

Abstract: A software platform is provided. The software platform includes a rewards component; a banking component; and a social media component. The software platform further includes input from banks and other financial institutions. The rewards component includes a processor, a transaction filter, a rewards filter, and a social filter. The social filter connects to social media sites. The rewards component uses input from the banking component to determine rewards and the social media component uses input from consumer transactions, financial products and offers to output to social media websites. The output to social media websites may be location based information, feeds or mobile phone based services. The user data is determined by the use of the banking component and/or the social media component. The rewards component provides financial incentives based on data from the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for delivering targeted content to a customer through a voice response unit (VRU). When the customer calls into the VRU, the customer is prompted to enter identification information. A unique customer identification code (UCIC) associated with the customer is used to look up an anonymized customer profile stored by a third party server. An advertisement identification code (ADIC) associated with the anonymized customer profile is used to identify targeted offers for the customer. The customer is then informed of the targeted offers verbally by the VRU. Optionally, the customer is presented with details of the offer verbally via the VRU. According to another aspect, the customer can select alternate media for delivery of the offer details (e.g., email, text message, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for online marketing, scheduling and booking of services. In one example embodiment, the system for scheduling and booking of service appointments includes an inventory database containing schedule of booked and available service appointments associated with a plurality of service providers. The system further includes a calendar-based service provider interface for creating a schedule of services provided by the service provider and storing the schedule in the inventory database. The system further includes a calendar-based service user interface for displaying schedules of available service appointments and booking one or more service appointments.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a transaction handler configured to process transactions; a data warehouse configured to store transaction data recording the transactions and to store event data for travel related events; a pattern detector configured to identify correlation data relating transaction patterns in the transaction data and the events identified in the event data; a portal configured to, in response to an occurrence of a first event, provide merchants with a report of a predicted spending pattern, including the identification of a set of consumers, identified based on the correlation data and data identifying the first event; a score generator to compute a value score for a traveler based on transaction data of the traveler; and a data services platform configured to provide the value score to a hotelier in response to a transaction processed by the transaction handler to check in the traveler at the hotelier.

Abstract: A transactional apparatus for providing user identification such as a purchaser of goods or services at a Point of Sale (POS) with a reward, or providing an identity transaction of a user in say a Post Office or retailer of postal services. The apparatus comprises a device (1) remote from the POS adapted to capture and derive transactional information data relating to the user whereby to provide user identification based on the transactional information data.

Abstract: A method and a system applying data mining techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms, namely neural networks, operating via an Internet data exchange site, allowing portfolio management companies to access an on-line, standardized questionnaire (Request for Proposal) and present their capabilities. The method then analyses a large number of these questionnaires and classifies managers, categorizing them and ranking their capabilities. In addition, sponsors such as pension funds, endowments, and private clients can submit their offer for the management of their assets. The site provides a Request for Proposal that is modular and continuously adapted to new financial market conditions, legal considerations and Sponsors needs. Once completed by each manager, the questionnaire is maintained in a central database allowing each manager to have an up-to-date and on-line version of questionnaire.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to comparison shopping and usage based service analysis for consumers, primarily for financial products. A consumer may not be aware of a provider's services, options, terms, conditions, costs, or how the service options change based on the consumer's particular usage characteristics. The disclosed comparison shopping method uses the consumer's actual or predicted service usage data. Service provider information is used to present the consumer with relevant alternative service offering options. Transaction data is gathered from a user's financial account and is analyzed for a savings opportunity indication. The analysis is used to match a savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities, and the savings opportunity may be displayed in a statement of a user's financial account. Past responses to a savings opportunity indication may be gathered and analyzed. In one example, a savings opportunity and the geographical location of the savings opportunity are presented.