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.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for quantifying energy usage and savings enables applying the savings to a financial transaction. Quantification includes estimating and/or monitoring usage of utilities by detectors, comparing the usage to a predetermined baseline value, and valuating an energy savings. Quantification relies on a comprehensive database to establish the baseline and to predict usage and savings. A portion of the savings may be applied to any of early repayment of a mortgage loan, investment in securities, and a request for a credit. The method and system standardizes values of energy units and/or monetary units, and quantifies savings. The method and system aids in qualifying the building project based on a concrete estimation of energy savings or a savings within a range. Thus, the method forms a bridge between green, other energy conserving, or sustainable technologies and the financial markets.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a method for granting partial refunds (post-payment discounts) to purchasers of a product only if a pre-determined/pre-defined number of sales has been met to purchasers signing up to be part of a partial-refund program for the product. In this manner, the purchasers have the incentive to spread information about the partial refund to their friends, such as via social networking, and “advertising” on the part of the seller, who then makes more sales. If the sales threshold is met, the partial refund is issued.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

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

Abstract: Accordingly some embodiments, a merchant server receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant of a purchase of at least one item from a first merchant. The customer agrees to participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant in exchange for having the subsidy applied against the purchase from the first merchant. In one embodiment, after selling the at least one item to the customer, the merchant server determines that the customer did not participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant as the customer agreed to, and assesses a penalty against the customer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a rebate card to a consumer using an electronic kiosk, including receiving, into the kiosk, consumer information and rebate information; transmitting, from the kiosk, the consumer information and the rebate information, via an electronic network, to a rebate processor; and dispensing, from the kiosk, the rebate card to the consumer, wherein, upon receiving the consumer information and the rebate information, the rebate processor validates the information and directs a rebate card account manager to add a value to the rebate card.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a rebate card to a consumer using an electronic kiosk, including receiving, into the kiosk, consumer information and rebate information; transmitting, from the kiosk, the consumer information and the rebate information, via an electronic network, to a rebate processor; and dispensing, from the kiosk, the rebate card to the consumer, wherein, upon receiving the consumer information and the rebate information, the rebate processor validates the information and directs a rebate card account manager to add a value to the rebate card.

Abstract: A buyer-seller matching system that uses incentives to verify commissions from matching the buyer with a seller. An item locator system that comprises a repository of information about items for purchase may be provided over a network for users to access information about items for purchase. Along with each item, the system presents an incentive that may be realized if that item is purchased from a designated third party seller. The user then executes the purchase with the seller, who pays the system the agreed upon fee and also issues a certification of purchase to the buyer. The user may then take the certification of purchase back to the central repository to redeem the incentive. The item locator system then checks to verify that it has received a fee or commission from the seller for bringing the seller a buyer of the item. The fee or commission may be based on the price of the item, such as if the item is a new house for sale and the seller is a new house builder.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides computer-aided processing of a rebate on a product. The system includes a rebate processing center communicating over a network with a manufacturer, a distributor, and a consumer. The rebate processing center maintains a promotion table and a transaction table in order to facilitate processing of product rebates and to offer the consumer a choice of disbursement options.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for gift communications via an API. A server receiving calls via the API receives a request to monitor recipient transactions, wherein the request includes information comprising a recipient and a policy. The server monitors the recipient transactions using a recipient account associated with the recipient for a qualifying transaction. Upon detecting the qualifying transaction, the server processes data associated with the qualifying transaction. A client device receives, from a giver and at a first time, an indication of a gift amount and a recipient. The client generates a request to monitor recipient transactions, wherein the request includes a recipient and a policy, and transmits the request to a gift processing server, such that when a qualifying transaction is recognized using the recipient account, data is processed associated with the qualifying transaction.

Abstract: A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing a gift between users in a social network. A system configured to practice the method presents an object to a giver in a social networking site, wherein the object provides an option to give a gift to a recipient. If the giver selects to give the gift, the system receives a selection of the recipient and a policy associated with the gift, wherein the giver is associated with a giver account, the recipient is associated with a recipient account, and the giver account is independent of the recipient account. The system monitors transactions of the recipient using the recipient account to yield information, and, based on the information, if the recipient makes a qualifying transaction according to the policy, the system applies at least part of the gift to the recipient account.

Abstract: Methods for using a rebate card and preventing the retention of rebate value when the product that prompted the rebate is returned are disclosed. Methods for using the rebate card may be limited for use at a particular retailer and/or for a particular manufacturer's goods or services. Methods for preventing the improper retention of rebate value may comprise: determining the amount the customer paid for the product; determining if a rebate value was provided for the product being returned; deducting the amount of the rebate from the amount the customer paid for the product; and providing the remaining amount the customer paid for the product being returned to the customer. In some embodiments of the present invention, the amount of the rebate value that was provided based on the purchase of the product being returned may be deducted from the customer's rebate account. Additionally, rebate cards may be RFID enabled.

Abstract: A method and system for using a rebate card are disclosed. The method may comprise initiating a purchase transaction for one or more products at a point of sale, determining whether the purchase transaction qualifies for a rebate, determining a rebate value based on the purchase transaction and the rebate, activating a rebate value in a rebate card account associated with a rebate card based on the determining action, and delivering the rebate card to a customer of the one or more products during the purchase transaction.

Abstract: A system for determining customer identifiers (CIDs) associated with purchase of product items which are recalled includes a computer database management system (10, 20) and network (30). Consumers associated with the determined CIDs are notified of the recall of the products.

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: A system and method for wireless communication of proximity based marketing is provided. The method includes determining whether a proximity device and a mobile computing device are within a first proximity to each other, wherein the proximity device is associated with at least one of a product and a service, and communicating information indicating that the proximity device and the mobile computing device are within the first proximity to each other, when it is determined that the proximity device and the mobile computing device are within the first proximity to each other.

Abstract: An auction may include a general schema to create incentives for those agents or bidders to bid on items at auction truthfully. The schema may implement any allocation rule, including a monotone allocation rule. The schema may provide for accepting bids from bidders, transforming the bids in a manner appropriate to the item being auctioned, and applying the allocation rule on the transformed bid. The schema may further provide for providing a rebate or payment back to the bidders.

Abstract: A user account including a personal profile is stored by a server for subsequent use. The user is provided a list of displayable entries sortable using specified criteria in a manner that allows the user to review a selection of entries and to make a change to the selection prior to submitting a transaction for processing. Responsive to a request to log into the user account, the identity of the user is verified. Once verified, the transaction is facilitated between a vendor and the user pursuant to instructions from the user. The instructions are generated based on a shopping cart screen rendered by a client device of the user. The user is sent a confirmation message regarding the transaction while the user is logged in the server. The user can be provided an account screen allowing access to information relating to user transactions and information relating to an account balance.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a customer computer device for facilitating the purchase of products comprising at least one processor and operatively associated memory. The device may capture a product identifier from an instance of a product. The product identifier may indicate a first instance of the product. The device may also transmit the product identifier to a service provider system and receive from the service provider system a rebated sales price for the first instance of the product. The rebated sales price may reflect an invoice price of the product, a deduction to the invoice price, and at least one rebate offered by the manufacturer of the product. Additionally, the device may provide the rebated sales price to a customer via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a robust rebate cross-sell network in which business entities, including financial institutions, can make targeted offers, including pre-approved or pre-qualified credit offers, to a desirable consumer utilizing information submitted by the consumer during a rebate redemption process. These business entities may but need not be associated with a rebate-issuing entity (i.e., rebate sponsor) or a rebate processing center which processes rebate claims for the rebate sponsor. In one embodiment, a cross-sell network manager can determine the consumer's identity, look-up the consumer at credit bureau(s), and perform a passive, real-time inquiry. Contingent upon a plurality of factors (e.g., the results of the inquiry or look-up against the pre-approved/qualified customer list, etc.), one or more targeted offers are identified.

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 system to incentivize financial account holders, such as a checking account, by providing a cash bonus for certain activities in the financial account, including certain deposits, electronic payments, debit card purchases, and receiving an electronic statement (instead of paper statements). The cash bonus is calculated on the current time period, for example monthly and credited to the financial account at the end of such current time period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to facilitating retail transactions between participating enrolled members and participating merchants who fund rebate offers targeted to enrolled members based upon a member's past account purchase transaction information, spending habits or member profile information, on qualifying purchases. Account purchase transaction information of merchants funding rebates is monitored by one or more processors at a location(s) other than the participating merchant's location to determine whether a purchase transaction was consummated between an enrolled member and a particular participating merchant, and whether such transaction entitles the member to a merchant funded rebate or reward. The remote monitoring and determining gives the rebate program transparency; no special purpose cards/accounts, or loyalty cards need to be presented by the member and no additional checkout procedures or special equipment are needed by the participating merchants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for processing closed loop cards/codes. The method includes identifying a closed loop card/code having associated money in an account, receiving a confirmation of an amount of money in the closed loop card/code account, presenting an owner of the closed loop card/code with the amount of money in the closed loop card/code account and an offer to pay an offer amount for the closed loop card/code, receiving an indication that the owner accepts the offer, receiving the amount of money from the closed loop card/code account, and paying the owner the offer amount. Payment can be on an open loop card/code, cash, automated clearing house (ACH) to bank, check, merchant credit, or bill pay. The method can include generating a new closed loop card/code associated with the amount of money. The new closed loop card/code can be sold to another user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a robust rebate cross-sell network in which business entities, including financial institutions, can make targeted offers, including pre-approved or pre-qualified credit offers, to a desirable consumer utilizing information submitted by the consumer during a rebate redemption process. These business entities may but need not be associated with a rebate-issuing entity (i.e., rebate sponsor) or a rebate processing center which processes rebate claims for the rebate sponsor. In one embodiment, a cross-sell network manager can determine the consumer's identity, look-up the consumer at credit bureau(s), and perform a passive, real-time inquiry. Contingent upon a plurality of factors (e.g., the results of the inquiry or look-up against the pre-approved/qualified customer list, etc.), one or more targeted offers are identified.

Abstract: A system and method for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing a unique identifier with a mobile phone of a guest and then sending executable offers to the guest which upon acceptance triggers another offer based on the first offer acceptance and events occurring at the time and location of the guest.

Abstract: A method and system implementing a variable pricing structure that applies to goods and services available from a vendor, and rewards customers who spend more is described. Customers can select a combination of the offered goods and services offered by a vendor, rather than choosing from among a few, pre-bundled packages. A progressive discount is employed in the determination of the price of the combination, such that increasing the number of goods or services, or increasing the level of service, results in greater discounts. The offering price of this combination is conveyed to the customer, and opportunities to make changes to the selected combination are provided. The opportunity to initiate the purchase of the selected combination is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an intermediary to preserve user privacy and anonymity in electronic transactions. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for facilitating a transaction between a subscriber and a vendor through an intermediary is provided. In this embodiment, the method comprises the step of receiving at the intermediary personal information from the subscriber to establish a user account. The method also comprises the step of storing the personal information for subsequent access. The method further comprises the step of receiving a request from the subscriber to access the user account, upon which the subscriber's identity is verified by the intermediary against the personal information. The method also comprises the step of the intermediary entering into a transaction with the vendor on behalf of the subscriber based on the subscriber's instruction once the subscriber's identity is successfully verified.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for sending an update to a customer's loyalty program account through a credit card authorization response message as well as sending the update by SMS, MMS, or other electronic message to the customer's mobile phone or device. The electronic message can allow the user to switch between the type of loyalty points to be accrued as well as offer coupons and other incentives for further purchase. Store returns can update loyalty points and result in update messages as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to facilitating retail transactions between registered members and selected merchants who fund rebates on the transactions between themselves and the registered members and the calculation of a rebate or reward in correlation with a qualifying purchase. Account purchase transactions associated with merchants funding rebates are monitored to determine whether or not they were consummated using an enrolled member account. The rebates or rewards earned by a registered member can be applied to a variety of accounts, financial instruments or obligations.

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 system and method for providing financial incentives and disincentives to a consumer based on a consumer activity. A record related to the consumer activity is received by a Computer Server and stored in a Consumer Database. The Consumer Database includes historical consumer activity associated with the registered consumer. The historical consumer activity is transmitted to at least one registered marketing entity. Based on the historical consumer activity, the registered marketing entity provides a financial incentive and/or disincentive which is processed and automatically applied to a qualified registered consumer.

Abstract: A business transaction method enables customers to purchase products from vendors, and is implemented using a business transaction system that includes a membership module, an allocation module, and a rebate module. The business transaction method includes: a) configuring the membership module to enable the vendors to become alliance members and the customers to become club members, and to set a recruiter of each club member to be a first-degree upper-tier member of said each club member; b) when one of the club members makes a purchase of a transaction amount from one of the alliance members, configuring the allocation module to allocate a predetermined percentage of the transaction amount as a rebate; and c) configuring the rebate module to distribute a portion of the rebate to the club member who made the purchase and another portion of the rebate to the first-degree upper-tier member thereof.

Abstract: A global customer satisfaction system includes point-of-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving in-store customer feedback including satisfaction ratings and other customer feedback regarding participating vendors as the customer pays for purchases. The system also includes post-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving more detailed customer feedback regarding the vendors from members after the sales have been completed. The system also includes an aggregation and dissemination system for combining the ratings received form customers into global customer satisfaction ratings for participating vendors, and disseminating the customer satisfaction information through customer satisfaction qualified directories, which are organized or searchable by geographical, type of product or service offered by the participating vendors, and other factors.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to assisting credit account holders during economic hardship. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing a rebate of at least a portion of a finance charge applied to a credit account. Unlike certain prior art systems and methods, embodiments disclosed herein may benefit both the credit account holder as well as the financial institution that extends the credit account. In one embodiment, it may be determined that several credit accounts meet a threshold of probability of having a charge-off. In certain embodiments, the number of accounts that receive a rebate may be limited to a certain percentage of credit accounts with a non-zero balance.

Abstract: In one embodiment a device, method, and system for managing reward credits may have a central reward database configured to record a predetermined set of product codes, a reward credit associated with each product code in the predetermined set of product codes, and a server configured to: (a) receive a redemption request from at least one registered participant, the redemption request including a product code, wherein the product code is provided on a product or product container; (b) access the central reward database to determine whether the product code of the redemption request is authorized and available; (c) determine the appropriate reward credit for the product code if it is determined that the product code of the redemption request is authorized and available; and (d) provide the appropriate reward credit to the at least one registered participant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an advertisement data output control system and a method of the same, the advertisement data output control system including: a communication unit which communicates with a user terminal; a storage which stores a plurality of advertisement informations and incentive informations corresponding to the plurality of advertisement informations, respectively; and a controller which renews the incentive information to vary the amount of incentive corresponding to the advertisement information concerned according to a predetermined incentive varying factor, and controls the plurality of advertisement informations to be arranged in order of the amount of incentive and displayed in the user terminal. With this, it is possible to effectively induce a user to access advertisement information and an advertiser to participate in running an advertisement.

Abstract: A general media content advertising vehicle usable by a large number of advertisers and with exposure to a large and diverse consumer base whether such users have Internet access or are operating off-line, defined by a portable memory device (PMD) adapted to support advertising and content data of different media types.

Abstract: A system and method for providing digital receipts for purchase transactions are provided. The method includes the steps receiving information for a first credit card account for executing a transaction; retrieving a first customer record from a database using information from the first credit card account; charging an amount of the transaction to the first credit card account; and transmitting a receipt to a predetermined location of the customer. The predetermined location may be an e-mail address of the customer or a server residing on the network. By receiving digital receipts, a customer or end-user will be able to digitally store these receipts and view or print the receipts out when necessary. Furthermore, the customer will be able to manage the receipts with conventional software packages.

Abstract: A system and method where a give back program is offered to a merchant who signs-up for the program by accessing a website provided by an independent third party service provider. The merchant inputs information including purchase criteria. A cardholder uses a financial card for a transaction with the merchant and the transaction information is transmitted to a financial institution. The financial institution transmits a transaction file to the third party service provider where a rebate is debited from the merchant's financial account based upon a comparison of the transaction file with the purchase criteria. The distribution of the rebate is made based upon distribution information from the cardholder or distribution criteria from the financial institution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating a portion of a purchase-based member reward to a third party beneficiary thereby to enable a shared benefit membership reward in a computer system. The method comprise the steps of receiving a member card at a merchant point of sale, identifying data indicative of a member and a third party beneficiary associated with the member card, calculating a defined benefit in respect of a purchase value, apportioning a percentage of the defined benefit to the member, and apportioning a remaining portion of the defined benefit contributed toward the third party beneficiary.

Abstract: A system, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for advertising. A system configured to practice the method receives user situation information. Based on the situation information, the system transmits an advertisement to the user's mobile device, wherein the advertisement is associated with an identification card and a coupon and transmitted independent of any user solicitation for a communication and independent of a request for a product or a service. The system receives input from the user via the advertisement for purposes other than redeeming the coupon; and, and receives an indication of a purchase associated with the advertisement and completed at a point of sale device using the identification card, wherein the mobile device differs from the point of sale device and wherein the purchase is at full price and a rebate associated with the coupon and the identification card is provided to the user.

Abstract: A refund system provides for detections of eligibility of a user for a refund and uses a token to identify purchases and to retrieve the information in respect of those purchases for processing a refund in respect of those purchases.

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

Abstract: A system and method for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing a unique identifier with a mobile phone of a guest and then sending executable offers to the guest which upon acceptance triggers another offer based on the first offer acceptance and events occurring at the time and location of the guest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to facilitating retail transactions between registered members and selected merchants who fund rebates on the transactions between themselves and the registered members so that the rebates are accumulated and provided for funding an account. Account purchase transactions associated with merchants funding rebates are monitored to determine whether or not each transaction was consummated with a registered member using an eligible account. Rebates for qualifying purchases are calculated and the information needed to apply the earned rebates to a rebate account are generated.

Abstract: A minimum recommended supply line (RSL) and a maximum RSL during a time period are determined. The minimum RSL is based on a minimum number of a product that is recommended to be in inventory for the time period. The maximum RSL is based on a maximum number of the product that is recommended to be in inventory for the time period. A number of the product is purchased equal to or greater than the minimum RSL minus a number of the product already in inventory at a beginning of the time period. A price-protected number of the product is determined as a smaller of the maximum RSL and a number of the product in inventory at an end of the time period. A rebate amount is determined as equal to the price-protected number multiplied by a decrease in price of the product from the time period to a next time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for aggregating sales of a product. The aggregated sales provide that a rebate based upon the sales of the product within a window of time is later provided to the buyer.