Abstract: A loyalty redemption system and related methods are disclosed. The loyalty redemption system can include a card.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for providing a virtual conference. One embodiment is a method for providing a virtual conference. One such method comprises: a conferencing system obtaining participant location information associated with a plurality of participant identifiers; the conferencing system establishing an audio conference with the plurality of participants associated with the participant identifiers; coupling a server to the conferencing system, the server identifying indicia of one or more acts during the audio conference, the one or more acts deemed worthy of a corresponding unit score in a reward program, the server communicating information to a rendering device that displays, during the audio conference, a graphical view via a display device.

Abstract: A statement credit reward system receives a request to redeem reward points from an account holder in exchange for a virtual gift card, where the account holder's request may be in response to an offer from a merchant for the card. The statement credit reward system receives transaction information corresponding to one or more transactions conducted by the account holder with one or more merchants. The transaction information may contain a qualifying transaction conducted by the account holder with a merchant. The statement credit reward system will attempt to match a statement credit trigger with the qualifying transaction. If a match is not found, the statement credit reward system adds the predetermined number of reward points back into the account holder's balance of reward points. If a match is found, the statement credit reward system credits the monetary amount of the statement credit trigger to the account holder's balance.

Abstract: A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection.

Abstract: The present invention involves spending loyalty points over a computerized network to facilitate a transaction. With this system, a loyalty program participant is able to use an existing transaction card to purchase an item over a computerized network, while at the same time offsetting the cost of that transaction by converting loyalty points to a currency value credit and having the credit applied to the participant's financial transaction account. Currency credit from converted loyalty points may also be applied to stored value cards, online digital wallet accounts and the like. Further, currency credit may also be applied to other accounts to effect a gift or donation.

Abstract: A system and method for soliciting repairs to an electromechanical device are disclosed. The system includes a signaling device for signaling a need for a repair of an associated electromechanical device. A repair mediator receives information related to an addressable fault with the electromechanical device and causes the signaling device to provide a signal indicating, to a candidate repairer passing by the device, a need for a repair to the device for which a reward is available for performing the repair. The repair mediator provides the reward for a completed repair.

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

Abstract: A system receives from a customer having an associated rewards points account a price offer for an item. The system determines if the price offer for the item is below an established threshold price, e.g., a price a retailer would accept for the item. When the price offer for the item is below the established threshold price, the system determines an amount of rewards points to be redeemed by the customer to thereby allow the customer to purchase the item at the price offer for the item as received from the customer. The system then allows the item to be purchased by the customer at the price offer for the item as received from the customer in the event that the customer indicates a willingness to redeem the determined amount of rewards points from their associated rewards points account.

Abstract: A method of managing franchises using a credit-card payment system is provided.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is a system for mobile reward redemption. The system may receive a selection of a cash equivalent rewards on a mobile device. The system may further transmit a request message from the mobile device to a reward fulfillment server, wherein the request message comprises the selection of the cash equivalent reward. Additionally, the system may receive a message on the mobile device from the reward fulfillment server comprising a link to a barcode image. The barcode image may represent the cash equivalent reward. The barcode image may be retrieved and the barcode image may be presented to a merchant scanning system to redeem the cash equivalent reward.

Abstract: A method and system for automating a reward program for a financial institution is provided. Accordingly, information about a customer transaction is received by a system and an affinity-point value of the transaction item is determined and associated with the transaction item. An affinity-point balance associated with the customer is determined and one or more rewards that are available to the customer are determined. A notification concerning a particular reward for which the customer is eligible is displayed. Multiple reward programs can be operated simultaneously and customers can participate in multiple reward programs. Thus, after determining an affinity-point balance, a list of rewards available to the customer can be determined from multiple reward programs and the list of rewards can be sorted based on associated affinity-point value and based on a prioritization of the various reward programs.

Abstract: A sales data processing apparatus includes a member rank accepting unit, a point accepting unit, an extraction unit, and a calculation unit. The member rank accepting unit accepts an input of a member rank of a customer as of when a point voucher is used. The point accepting unit accepts an input of a number of points on the point voucher. The extraction unit extracts, from a storage unit which stores a point return rate defining how much should be returned in dollars for one point corresponding to a member rank, the point return rate corresponding to the member rank accepted by the member rank accepting unit. The calculation unit calculates an amount of return on the point voucher on the basis of the number of points accepted by the point accepting unit and the point return rate extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: An offer management system may provide an open platform capable of aggregating offers from multiple offer providers. All offers may be uploaded to the offer management system and presented to consumers via a single portal so they can easily browse, select and review all available digital offers at one time, in one place. Upon visiting a hosted website, the offer management system may interact with the consumer by displaying references to digital offers on the home page or in the navigation bar. The offer management system can display personalized content that may feature any available offers targeted specifically to the consumer based upon personal information contained in a profile for the consumer that is associated with the consumer's online account, such as a loyalty card account. Moreover, the offer management system may receive requests from the consumer to print selected offers or download selected offers to the consumer's account.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating an acquisition from a merchant, whereby payment for the acquisition is made at least partially through automated redemption of loyalty points from a loyalty account. In particular, information is received at a loyalty point exchange system from the merchant. The information may include loyalty data indicating that the acquisition was paid for using a transaction card account that is to be reimbursed using loyalty points from the loyalty account. The loyalty account is debited by an amount equal to a currency value of the acquisition and the transaction card account is credited the amount charged for the acquisition. Loyalty points may, alternatively, be used to directly pay for purchases without the steps of charging and crediting a transaction card.

Abstract: A method for helping a purchaser of goods pay for health care services when the purchaser uses a credit/debit card that enables participation in such a monetary reward program. A credit/debit card reader, at the point of sale, reads the information recorded on the card. The information is sent to a processor of the issuer of the credit/debit card and a data bank is accessed to determine if the purchaser is qualified to receive points based on the dollar amount of the purchase where these points are to be used to pay a portion of a health care provider's bill for services when such an expense is generated by the credit/debit card user. Each qualifying dollar amount spent on the card is assigned a predetermined number of points which can be used to pay a health care provider for a health care service provided to the credit/debit card holder.

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: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating an acquisition from a merchant, whereby payment for the acquisition is made at least partially through automated redemption of loyalty points from a loyalty account. In particular, information is received at a loyalty point exchange system from the merchant. The information may include loyalty data indicating that the acquisition was paid for using a transaction card account that is to be reimbursed using loyalty points from the loyalty account. The loyalty account is debited by an amount equal to a currency value of the acquisition and the transaction card account is credited the amount charged for the acquisition. Loyalty points may, alternatively, be used to directly pay for purchases without the steps of charging and crediting a transaction card.

Abstract: A method for a personalized reward system, the method includes obtaining a reward list comprising one or more reward each associated with a corresponding reward point required for a corresponding reward redemption, obtaining a task list comprising one or more tasks each associated with a corresponding reward point that can be earned upon a corresponding task completion, receiving a input from a user indicating a task of the one or more tasks is completed, adding a corresponding reward point associate with the task to generate a cumulative reward point based on a first pre-determined criterion, comparing the cumulative reward point to the reward list based on a second first pre-determined criterion to generate a result, and notifying the user of a reward redemption based on the result.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning paper coupons and coordinating their use with electronic coupons for the provided is a internet based electronic coupon searching system. Further provided, is a method and apparatus to combine electronic and paper coupons into a master coupon for secure redemption through an electronic coupon clearing house and offering coupon distribution system.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives information relating to customer activity with a first vendor (e.g., via a Web page that a customer accesses). The controller further receives an indication of items the customer desires to purchase, the items having an associated total price. The controller determines, based on any of various criteria, whether to provide an offer for a subsidy based on the information relating to customer activity. The offer for a subsidy is from a second vendor (a subsidizing vendor), and may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for the item and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. If the customer accepts the offer, he is charged a second price for the items. The second price is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved system and method for creating, distributing and storing vouchers. The method includes a loyalty system obtaining a loyalty card account having a unique identifier and loyalty points associated therewith, accessing a loyalty database utilizing the unique identifier, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a first value associated with a first merchant, saving the first value in a first database associated with the loyalty card, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a second value associated with a second merchant, saving the second value along with other voucher information as an electronic voucher in a second database associated with the loyalty card, redeeming the first value at a first merchant and redeeming the electronic voucher at a second merchant.

Abstract: Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds within a vender storefront physically proximate and distinctly independent of the entity, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases within the storefront, wherein the vender does not honor the non-negotiable credits.

Abstract: A software engine, system and method for increasing sales revenue of ones selected from a set of perishable items supplied by a service provider is described. The engine, system and method follows a rules set that includes information relating to a total number of perishable items available for sale in the set, and to a price of at least the available ones of the set, for bidding of a unique dollar value by at least two users, such as by auction bidding. The engine, system and method arrives at a list of winning bids and reports the list to the service provider.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for aggregating and distributing carbon reduction credits in connection with the creation and/or use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion and aggregate carbon credits in connection therewith, either as part of the incentive or aggregation by the incentive promoter as part of its activities in reducing its carbon footprint.

Abstract: A private civil security loyalty reward program allows access to a user.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for creating, deploying, transferring, clearing, managing, redeeming and reporting on the use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion.

Abstract: A rewards system for bill paying users which provides rewards for paying their bills on time or early to product vendors and service providers. The system tracks payments of subscribing users to subscribing vendors and service providers and issues rewards to users paying on time or a designated amount of time before the due date of an on time payment.

Abstract: A method for delivering customized data items to users of electronic privilege cards includes receiving a customized data item to be delivered to a user having an electronic privilege card, identifying the electronic device storing the targeted user's electronic privilege card, and transmitting the customized data item to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the data item is an offer or coupon that the user may redeem from an entity associated with the electronic privilege card, such as a retailer or service provider. In another embodiment, the electronic device storing the electronic privilege card is a mobile telephone.

Abstract: An online and mobile game application with a method of real prize redemption is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises establishing a user reward account in response to a registration request, receiving and storing reward accumulation information, and the reward accumulation information is associated with the user reward account. Reward accumulation information is displayed, along with reward reports, and reward reports are displayed according to selection criteria. A reward certificate is displayed in response to a request to redeem a reward, and user reward account information is synchronized with a web application.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved system and method for creating, distributing and storing vouchers. The method includes a loyalty system obtaining a loyalty card account having a unique identifier and loyalty points associated therewith, accessing a loyalty database utilizing the unique identifier, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a first value associated with a first merchant, saving the first value in a first database associated with the loyalty card, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a second value associated with a second merchant, saving the second value along with other voucher information as an electronic voucher in a second database associated with the loyalty card, redeeming the first value at a first merchant and redeeming the electronic voucher at a second merchant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a space and all necessary procedures enabling visitors to create, distribute, aggregate, exchange, return, donate, verify, redeem, account and clear different kinds of incentives by commonly available means and tools, where the specific commodity (promotional programs) is exchanged for special consideration.

Abstract: A system for creating and providing clothing and accessories for avatars, including within a virtual marketplace is disclosed. The system includes computer programming resident on at least one networked server, wherein the computer programming provides a creation tool and an online marketplace having at least one virtual storefront. A user access to the online marketplace includes a user-directed, computer programmable avatar, and further includes a computing device communicatively connected to the at least one networked server.

Abstract: A loyalty or reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of a typical credit card network. In one embodiment, a user makes a purchase at a merchant of a product using a credit card. The merchant contacts the acquiring bank (which may be any type of financial institution but is referred to generically herein as a bank) with which it has contracted for credit card network services, and as known in the art, will get an approval or decline message after the acquiring bank contacts the issuing bank of the credit card used by the purchaser. Assuming that the purchase transaction is approved, the user is awarded loyalty points from the merchant based on the amount of the purchase (e.g. 100 points for a $100 purchase). A central server resides on the credit card network and tracks the transaction between the merchant, the acquiring bank, and the issuing bank.

Abstract: A system and method for providing online incentive programs that allows participants in the programs to access hierarchical reports detailing the current status of the incentive programs. The incentive programs include means to restrict access to the various hierarchical reports to prevent the different levels of management from accessing information relating to higher levels of management. Participants may therefore monitor their performance, as well as the performance of those individuals who are under their control.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing customer-specific information involving a) obtaining customer identification information for identifying a customer to be served at the weigh station; b) storing a plurality of customer profiles for a plurality of customers wherein each customer in the plurality of customers has an associated customer profile; and, c) when the customer is in the plurality of customers, retrieving the associated customer profile for the customer using the customer identification information and providing associated customer-specific information based on the associated customer profile to a weigh station display.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for managing an online recycling operation, including uniquely associating one or more recyclable products with unique identifiers and other product information stored in a database, receiving information associated with the one or more recyclable products, periodically storing and updating the information associated with the one or more recyclable products in the database, associating the unique identifier with a recycling user having user account information stored in the database, updating the reward point total based on an activity of the recycling user, communicating the product information and the user account information to the recycling user over a network, communicating rewards that are available in exchange for reward points to the recycling user over the network, and redeeming reward points upon demand by the recycling user over the network. Each recyclable product includes indicia that uniquely identifies the recyclable product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating payment values of goods and services (rewards). The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving an input. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include dynamic calculating, based upon the received input, a plurality of payment pairs, each of the plurality of payment pairs comprising any (including a plurality of) non-monetary currency value and/or any monetary currency value (between 0% and 100% respectively 100% and 0%).

Abstract: A system for advertising to an end user in a computer network is provided. The system includes a server configured to transmit instructions to a client application to display an advertisement and a call-to-action for a reward in proximity to each other. The system is further configured to receive a response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user, and to transmit instructions to the client application to display an indication of a reward. A reward log database is provided in communication with the server. The reward log database is configured for logging the response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user. Methods for advertising and conveying a message, and a client application program product are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic payment system is for a point-of-sale (POS) device to transfer funds from a purchaser account to a merchant account. The POS device is to send a merchant transaction identification (ID) and transaction information. The electronic payment system includes a mobile wireless communications device to send a purchaser transaction ID and purchaser account access information. A payment processor server is to receive the purchaser transaction ID and purchaser account access information, and further configured to send the transaction information to the mobile wireless communications device if the merchant transaction ID matches the purchaser transaction ID. The mobile wireless communications device also sends confirmation of the transaction information to the payment processor server, and also effects a transfer of funds from the purchaser account to the merchant account based upon the confirmation of the transaction information and the purchaser account access information.

Abstract: An electronic payment system is for a merchant server to transfer funds from a purchaser account to a merchant account, the merchant server to send a merchant transaction identification (ID) and transaction information. The electronic payment system includes a mobile wireless communications device to send a purchaser transaction ID and purchaser account access information. A payment processor server is to receive the purchaser transaction ID and purchaser account access information, and is also to send the transaction information to the mobile wireless communications device if the merchant transaction ID matches the purchaser transaction ID. The mobile wireless communications device is also to send confirmation of the transaction information to the payment processor server. The payment processor server is also to effect a transfer of funds from the purchaser account to the merchant account based upon the confirmation of the transaction information and the purchaser account access information.

Abstract: A coupon redemption system includes a web application server having a database corresponding with information regarding a coupon. An electronic device is in communication with the web application server through a data communication network. The electronic device displays a barcode image corresponding to the coupon information. The bar code image is adjustable in response to an indication of the type of electronic device.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a customer rewards program that uses mobile phone networks via short messaging system as a medium of transaction of customer loyalty points between system points host, the end user and the merchant. The system also uses the mobile phone number of the end user as the loyalty card identification number.

Abstract: The system evaluates a set of incentives based upon a variety of factors and/or predetermined rules and consumers are provided incentives when they satisfy one or more criteria of making payments for their transaction accounts. The one or more criteria include making an early payment, paying more than a minimum amount due, and making the payment through an automatic payment scheme. If a received payment satisfies one or more predefined criteria, one or more incentives are selected for the consumer, tracked, and provided to the consumer. The system analyzes payment information to determine attributes and positive (desirable) behavior and provides incentives to the consumer based on such positive behaviors.

Abstract: The system evaluates a set of incentives based upon a variety of factors and/or predetermined rules and consumers are provided incentives when they satisfy one or more criteria of making payments for their transaction accounts. The one or more criteria include making an early payment, paying more than a minimum amount due, and making the payment through an automatic payment scheme. If a received payment satisfies one or more predefined criteria, one or more incentives are selected for the consumer, tracked, and provided to the consumer. The system analyzes payment information to determine attributes and positive (desirable) behavior and provides incentives to the consumer based on such positive behaviors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for value added auctions. In an embodiment of the invention, a value added auction method for stored value accounts can be provided. The method can include establishing an online auction and accepting bids from bidders in the online auction. A winning bid and corresponding winning bidder can be determined. Further, a reward can be computed for the winning bidder based upon a nature of participation in the online auction by the winner. Finally, a stored value account can be loaded with a stored value based upon the winning bid and additional stored value can be loaded on a stored value account based upon the computed reward.

Abstract: The invention facilitates pooling, gifting or transferring of geographic area loyalty points between accounts. The invention also facilitates a transfer of geographic area loyalty points from a consumer account associated with a sponsoring company to a consumer account associated with a host company. The invention may also facilitate gifting of loyalty points to charitable organizations on a recurring basis, wherein the gifting may transfer any portion of geographic based points to various charities. The system may also convert the geographic area loyalty points to a monetary value, thereby allowing the points to be donated to a charity such that the donation appears to be a monetary value donation to the charity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating an acquisition from a merchant, whereby payment for the acquisition is made at least partially through automated redemption of loyalty points from a loyalty account. In particular, information is received at a loyalty point exchange system from the merchant. The information may include loyalty data indicating that the acquisition was paid for using a transaction card account that is to be reimbursed using loyalty points from the loyalty account. The loyalty account is debited by an amount equal to a currency value of the acquisition and the transaction card account is credited the amount charged for the acquisition. Loyalty points may, alternatively, be used to directly pay for purchases without the steps of charging and crediting a transaction card.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing an incentive program for conserving a consumable resource such as electricity, natural gas, oil, air or water. The present invention monitors utilization of the resource at a location, and then determines a type and quantity of variable resource points to be provided to an account associated with the location or with a participant by analyzing the monitored resource utilization with respect to a plurality of varying conditions (time-variant, location-variant, cost-variant etc.). These conditions may be independent or interdependent; these relationships will be incorporated into the calculations resulting in the award of the type and quantity of resource points determined by the Program. The resource points are then stored in an account associated with the location or with a participant for future use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a payback system and a payback method for calculating a payback value to a customer receiving a service by using a product provided (for free or payment) from a product manufacturer or a middleman, or to the middleman. The payback value is calculated based on the use results of the service (including a service on a network) by a product user.

Abstract: A method for promoting recycling from a fund established with revenue generated from the sale of environmental and/or power generation attributes by an entity producing renewable energy. The method comprises providing a point system by which a recycling consumer is credited for recycled materials collected. Further, the method provides for a reward system for redemption of points accumulated by the recycling consumer, the reward system including redeemable fund certificates drawn against the fund. The method further includes collecting recyclable materials from the recycling consumer and crediting an account in the name of the recycling consumer based on the quantity and/or quality of the recyclable material collected. Then the method provides for awarding fund certificates to the recycling consumer upon the accumulation of a sufficient point level.