Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and server to assist account issuers in managing risk, fraud and unauthorized use. A system, method and server for use in pushing advanced warning alerts to issuers based on consumer data element level triggering events and fraud and unauthorized use reports is disclosed. The ability to the push the alerts to issuers with a permissible purpose for receiving the information in the alerts provides a real-time, online and cost effective way of providing issuers with valuable risk management tools.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying completion of an activity are provided. The system comprises a scanner operable to obtain token data obtainable based on completion of an activity; and a server operable to obtain the token data from the scanner to verify completion of the activity. The method comprises obtaining token data from completion of an activity and providing the token data to a server to verify completion of the activity.

Abstract: A system and method to select and retrieve contact center transactions from a set of transactions stored in a queuing mechanism. The system includes an interactive voice response system configured to accept at least one call and dynamically populate a web form with call data associated with the at least one call. The system also includes a queuing engine configured to allow a call agent to access the call data prior to the at least one call being connected to the call agent.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing click fraud and/or determining invalid clicks are provided to measure click related data, decide according to target URL defined conditions whether to present an Intelligent interstitial, decide according to target URL defined conditions how to populate the interstitial and then measure Search user interaction with the interstitial. Other embodiments use target URL defined conditions of interstitial interaction to determine click validity and monetary value and in the event of a valid click continuing to the target URL and optionally measuring on-site behavior. Further embodiments measure data from an original click, observe interstitial behavior and optionally merge target URL website measured behavior into a database providing user data for each individual click. Other embodiments generate reports specific to seeking credits for payments on invalid clicks and other website intelligence. Exemplary embodiments provide for varying implementations, including e.g.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and handling click fraud in a mobile environment. The system may identify a source of a request. The request may be handled differently based on whether the source of the request originated from mobile traffic or web traffic. The source of the request may be used to determine whether a request is valid or invalid. The request may be flagged if the request is invalid.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that relate to online advertising, such as in connection with an auction-based online advertising market, including techniques for determining evidence of prohibited use of user segment information by an advertiser. Segment information may be utilized in allowing a targeted advertising opportunity for an advertiser. The advertiser may, for example, have agreed not to use such segment information outside of the allowed opportunity. Particular users in a segment may be identified and utilized as indicator users for use in determining evidence of prohibited use of segment information by an advertiser in bidding occurring after the targeted advertising opportunity. For example, later advertiser bidding relating to near-threshold in-segment or out-of-segment indicator users may be analyzed.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, systems and methods are provided to facilitate the processing of inaudible codes in audio and audio/visual streams broadcast over television, radio, computer, or in piped music/muzak, for example, by computing devices, such as mobile devices and computers. The inaudible codes are associated with items of information provided by third parties, such as coupons, offers, advertising, explanatory information, etc. The mobile devices may be a smart phone, tablet, laptop computer, digital reader, etc. Codes and corresponding items may be provided to a computing device by a code/offer management system via a network, and stored by the computing device, upon the request of the respective device. When an inaudible code is received and identified by a respective device, it is compared to the stored codes and if there is a match, the corresponding offer may be identified and displayed or offered for display.

Abstract: A system and method for the insertion of additional content to messages sent between mobile communications devices. The system provides for a point system which allows users of the system to accumulate points for additional content sent with text messages. The points may be used for various functions such as purchasing premium services or may be applied towards the user's service charges.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing click fraud and/or determining invalid clicks are provided to measure click related data, decide according to target URL defined conditions whether to present an Intelligent interstitial, decide according to target URL defined conditions how to populate the interstitial and then measure Search user interaction with the interstitial. Other embodiments use target URL defined conditions of interstitial interaction to determine click validity and monetary value and in the event of a valid click continuing to the target URL and optionally measuring on-site behavior. Further embodiments measure data from an original click, observe interstitial behavior and optionally merge target URL website measured behavior into a database providing user data for each individual click. Other embodiments generate reports specific to seeking credits for payments on invalid clicks and other website intelligence. Exemplary embodiments provide for varying implementations, including e.g.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a method including receiving a seeker inquiry. The method includes communicating coordinates of a geocache in response to the seeker inquiry. The geocache includes a geoseed that is sponsored by an advertiser. The method also includes identifying an actual benefit provided for locating the geoseed. The actual benefit is associated with the advertiser. The method includes receiving a confirmation signal indicating a seeker has located the geocache. The confirmation signal includes verification information specific to the geoseed. The method also includes authenticating the verification information. The method also includes awarding the seeker the actual benefit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing updates to a financial transaction monitoring system, wherein the financial transaction monitoring system is configured to specially handle any financial transactions involving an entity identified in a list of entities. In one embodiment, the system includes a communication interface configured to receive an update to the list of entities, the update including one or more new keywords. The system may further include a memory device having information about a plurality of transactions.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for detecting and preventing fraud in online advertising environments. In one embodiment, the system and process include a publisher with a web page with which an advertisement set and a unique request identifier are sent to a user browser when the user requests the web page. The unique request identifier is unique, publisher specific, advertisement specific, for a single instance. A database keeps track of the unique request identifier so that when a user “clicks” on a link to access an advertiser's web site, the unique request identifier associated with the advertisement can be checked against the unique request identifier in the database to determine whether the “click” was one that may be non-fraudulent or valid.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and handling click fraud in a mobile environment. The system may identify a source of a request. The request may be handled differently based on whether the source of the request originated from mobile traffic or web traffic. The source of the request may be used to determine whether a request is valid or invalid. The request may be flagged if the request is invalid.

Abstract: An action plan data structure for one or more selected rendered documents is described. The data structure contains information specifying an action to perform automatically in response to a text capture from any of the selected rendered documents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet flow associated with a click-through from an end user node destined for an advertiser server; extracting information from the packet flow; analyzing the extracted information to determine one or more characteristics of the packet flow; and classifying the packet flow based on the determined one or more characteristics; modifying the packet flow to include classification information to provide classification information indicating a quality level of the click-through. The packet flow may include a hypertext transfer protocol GET request. Modifying the packet flow may include adding a tag with classification information that indicates a likelihood of fraudulent click behavior associated with the packet flow.

Abstract: A system directs a browser or browsing application associated with a user to a targeted web site after the user performs at least two activations or “clicks” of his pointing device. The first “click” is typically on a communication provided by the system, serving as an intermediary, and the second “click” is typically on a first data object or web page of the intermediary, before the browser of the user is redirected to a second data object or targeted web page, typically associated with a party unrelated to the party or entity controlling the system.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing click fraud and/or determining invalid clicks are provided to measure click related data, decide according to target URL defined conditions whether to present an Intelligent interstitial, decide according to target URL defined conditions how to populate the interstitial and then measure Search user interaction with the interstitial.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using historical and current financial transaction data in implementing a marketing strategy are provided. A system and method can include updating stored signature data using current data associated with an entity. The signature data includes historic data including credit card transactions or debit card transactions associated with the entity. One or more model variables are generated using the updated signature data associated with the entity. A marketing score for the entity is determined by applying one or more model variables to a marketing model. The marketing score indicates a likelihood that the entity will respond to an offer. Whether the marketing score exceeds a predetermined marketing threshold is determined. Based upon determining that the marketing score exceeds the predetermined marketing threshold and determining that the entity is within the geographic area, an indication for triggering transmission of the offer to the entity is generated.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a processing device that receives data related to a cursor movement towards an advertisement displayed on a web page. The processing device analyzes the cursor movement data and determines a confidence level useable in the determination of click fraud, the confidence level responsive to the analysis of the cursor movement. The received data includes data that the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a clicking the advertisement. In one embodiment, a click fraud is detected when the click occurred without the cursor crossing a pixel cluster, and no click fraud occurring when the click occurred after the cursor crossed a pixel cluster.

Abstract: Potential click fraud is determined. When a client device activates an Internet advertisement, the location of the client device is determined. Multiple activations of the same advertisement, by the client device, may indicate fraud.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: Detecting click fraud that includes a server that hosts a website that includes a web page containing an advertisement. The server provides an advertisement on a web page, provides pixel clusters on the web page with the advertisement, each pixel cluster having an associated mechanism for capturing whether a cursor on the web page has transited the associated pixel cluster, and collects information based on the capturing of each associated mechanism of information regarding the transit of the pixel cluster by a cursor. The collected information is useable in a determination of a confidence level pertinent to the determination of click fraud occurring on the advertisement on the web page. The server verifies the cursor on the web page has transited at least one pixel cluster on the web page prior to a controller of the cursor clicking the advertisement.

Abstract: Method and system for dynamically screening advertisement on a media are adapted to be used in the field of e-commerce. Information of at least one advertised object and/or at least one advertisement rule of the media are monitored with a monitoring unit to determine if any change occurs. If the occurrence of a change is determined, for example by the monitoring unit, information of the advertised object(s) is examined by a screening unit.

Abstract: A method for tracking user actions associated with an advertisement includes receiving conversion information. The method also includes determining whether the conversion information represents a valid conversion corresponding to a user action.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing network activities is described. The method includes identifying a model that specifies attributes for network objects, identifying a network object having one or more attributes that deviate from the model, and providing as an input to a ranking algorithm a value associated with the deviance of the one or more attributes of the identified network object.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that enforce policies with respect to proxy communications.

Abstract: The present application discloses devices, methods and systems that target a user with commercial offers having geographic and/or time-based qualities. The invention can include an aggregation system that presents the user with a map showing aggregated data for a plurality of commercial offers within a predetermined geographic area. The commercial offers can be presented to users in a staggered time-based manner to negate or minimize overwhelming a vendor with a large but temporary increase in business due to a plurality of users utilizing commercial offers. The commercial offer can also diminish over time to better determine the ability of the commercial offer system to acquire repeat business for the vendor.

Abstract: A system may provide an advertising link in association with a document. The content of the advertising link is unrelated to a content of the document. The system may also determine a rate at which the advertising link is selected and determine whether illegitimate activity occurred based, at least in part, on the determined rate of selection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for evaluating a binary classification system operable to classify each of a plurality of events as a first event type or a second event type. At least some of the events of the first event type are independently verifiable with reference to verification data. The binary classification system is susceptible to a first error type in which events of the first event type are classified as the second event type, and a second error type in which events of the second event type are classified as the first event type. Operation of a first configuration of the binary classification system is evaluated with reference to an objective function. The objective function is derived by expressing a number of errors of the second error type in terms of a number of errors of the first error type with reference to the verification data, and by assuming relative proportions of the first and second event types within the plurality of events.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for detecting fraudulent behavior during an Internet commerce session are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include establishing an e-commerce session with a user and requesting fraud detection analysis of user-browser interaction during the e-commerce session. Embodiments may also include receiving fraud detection results for the e-commerce session, where the fraud detection results may provide an indication of a comparison between the user's interaction with a browser during the e-commerce session and known fraudulent behavior. Embodiments may also include performing an action based on the fraud detection results. Determining the fraud detection results may include determining user-browser interaction data associated with the session and comparing the user-browser interaction data to known fraudulent human or automated program behavior.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a publisher subsystem configured to communicate with an access device and an advertiser device over a data communication network. The publisher subsystem includes a publish module, a session module, and an allocation module. The publish module is configured to publish content over the data communication network, the content including an advertisement. The session module is configured to detect a selection of the advertisement, initiate a session between the access device and the advertiser device in response to the selection, the advertiser device being associated with the advertisement, and receive feedback from the advertiser device. The allocation module is configured to allocate revenue based on the feedback. In some examples, the amount of the revenue is independent of the feedback.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for providing offers to mobile wallets. A request including offer data and authentication data is received from a client portal system. The authentication data is validated. A validation result based on the validation of the authentication data is generated. A response including the validation result is transmitted to the client portal system. An offer including the offer data is transmitted to a mobile device. The offer data includes an offer identifier (ID), and the mobile device includes a mobile wallet associated with the authentication data.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, mining similar user clusters based on user advertisement click behaviors. The technology involves methods and systems for mining similar user clusters based on log data available on an online advertising platform. By building a user linkage representation based on one or more attributes from the log data, the similar user clusters can be harvested in more efficient manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for evaluating a binary classification system operable to classify each of a plurality of events as a first event type or a second event type. At least some of the events of the first event type are independently verifiable with reference to verification data. The binary classification system is susceptible to a first error type in which events of the first event type are classified as the second event type, and a second error type in which events of the second event type are classified as the first event type. Operation of a first configuration of the binary classification system is evaluated with reference to an objective function. The objective function is derived by expressing a number of errors of the second error type in terms of a number of errors of the first error type with reference to the verification data, and by assuming relative proportions of the first and second event types within the plurality of events.

Abstract: A promotion verification method which is based upon locally stored information. The promotion verification method includes recording entry of a promotion code by a computer, determining a key from the promotion code by the computer, and applying the key to obtain promotion information associated with the promotion code by the computer.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting and mitigating fraud in a distributed monitoring system which includes fixed-location monitoring and communication devices. According to one aspect, a method for detecting and mitigating fraud includes receiving a signaling message that originates or appears to originate from a wireless communication device that is associated with a fixed-location management system that performs at least one of monitoring and control of a resource, wherein the wireless communication device is responsible for communicating information generated by the management system over a network. The method further includes determining whether the signaling message indicates an expected location of the wireless communication device and in response to a determination that the signaling message does not indicate an expected location of the wireless communication device, initiating a mitigating action.

Abstract: A voucher verification system is based on SMS message-based processing of voucher verifications by a central verification authority. Merchants may establish an account with the system and then register mobile communication devices and those of employees by sending an SMS-based registration request to the system. Once registered, the merchant and employees may verify the status of vouchers by sending SMS-base verification requests to the system. Verifications of voucher status are returned to the merchant mobile device via SMS messaging.

Abstract: Methods for selling items over a computer network can include: after a first set of customers has purchased, during a first time period, at least a threshold value or number of items of a first set of items: (a) during a second time period after the first period, offering for sale to the first set of customers an index set of items; (b) throughout the second period, preventing substantially all persons other than the first set of customers from purchasing the index set of items; and (c) during a third time period, offering for sale to a second set of customers, different from the first set of customers, any of the index set of items not sold to the first set of customers during the second period.

Abstract: A method of affiliate marketing provides inbound affiliate link credit without coded URLs. Affiliate web sites link directly to merchant web sites, so that all of a merchant site's affiliates potentially contribute to its inbound link credit. The merchant web server parses incoming web page requests, and extracts the referrer. The merchant web server, directly or via an affiliate network manager, consults a database of affiliate web sites to determine whether the referrer is an authorized affiliate. If so, the affiliate is credited for the traffic, and may additionally be credited for user activity at the merchant site. The affiliate network manager writes a cookie to the user terminal to further track the user through the affiliate network. The method reduces or eliminates cookie hijacking and other forms of affiliate fraud, and may be used to track non-affiliate referring web sites.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining advertising compliance are provided. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for tracking, ranking, and enforcing the placement of advertisements in websites in accordance with one or more advertising policies. Some embodiments provide for a system where a user can enter text advertising campaigns for evaluation. The results can be ranked and the user can determine if any disputes need to be submitted for the violation of advertising policies.

Abstract: Techniques are provided through which “suspicious” websites may be identified automatically. A suspicious website is one that is associated with many changes or an inconsistent number of changes in web registry information over time. Registry information is received when changes to the registry information occur. The registry information is referred to as a transaction. A transaction is comprised of a plurality of values that each correspond to a characteristic. A characteristic is a property of a website, such as the website's contact information. A count associated with a particular characteristic-value pair is updated each time the particular value is identified in a transaction. A high count indicates that the website associated with the particular value is associated with a lot of changes. Therefore, a website associated with a high count is suspicious. Other factors that may be used for identifying a “suspicious” website include how often and how much the count changes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented offer redemption method includes the steps of: (a) storing information on a consumer and a payment account associated with the consumer in a computer storage system; (b) receiving activation of an offer from the consumer covering a product or service or a purchase from a retailer; (c) linking the offer to the consumer's payment account; (d) monitoring transactions in the consumer's payment account; and (e) when the consumer has purchased the product or service or made a purchase from the retailer covered by the linked offer using the consumer payment account, making payment for offer settlement to a payment processor managing the consumer's payment account to be credited to the consumer's payment account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for evaluating a binary classification system operable to classify each of a plurality of events as a first event type or a second event type. At least some of the events of the first event type are independently verifiable with reference to verification data. The binary classification system is susceptible to a first error type in which events of the first event type are classified as the second event type, and a second error type in which events of the second event type are classified as the first event type. Operation of a first configuration of the binary classification system is evaluated with reference to an objective function. The objective function is derived by expressing a number of errors of the second error type in terms of a number of errors of the first error type with reference to the verification data, and by assuming relative proportions of the first and second event types within the plurality of events.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for distribution of advertisements and electronic offers between communication devices. The system and method provides for accounting and distribution of incentives related to distribution of the advertisements and offers. A bi-directional selection between subscribers and advertisers using the system is created whereby both advertisers and subscribers agree to participate in the distribution of advertisements and offers. The system further provides for a means of redeeming offers utilizing points of sale and analytics associated to the redemption of electronic offers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for framing detection are disclosed. A web page comprising a child frame is generated. The child frame comprises an instruction to load a component from a merchant. The child frame comprises a header option restricting a loading of the component from within a parent frame associated with a domain external to the merchant. The web page is sent from the merchant to a client browser. It is determined that the web page is loaded within the parent frame in the client browser if a request for the component is not received by the merchant. It is determined that the web page is not loaded within the parent frame in the client browser if a request for the component is received by the merchant.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer advertisement platform is provided to ubiquitously promote products or services supplied by advertisers across content-based applications executing on nodes in a peer-to-peer network. The peer-to-peer advertisement platform may include a registration component to register nodes in the peer-to-peer advertising platform, an advertisement submission component to receive advertisement data from the advertisers, and a distribution component to distribute the advertisement data to the nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertisement platform. The peer-to-peer advertisement platform also includes a money sharing component to reward nodes based on a contribution level assigned to the node. Accordingly, the peer-to-peer advertisement platform stores the advertisement data locally at the plurality of nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertising platform and shares a portion of the revenue generated from the advertisement data with the nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertising platform.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a universal coupon redemption system and method for redeeming both paper and electronic coupons that eliminates fraud. The system and method provides verification, validation and authentication of coupon redemption transactions in a third party environment while eliminating the need to ship coupons to manufacturers for reimbursement. In one embodiment, the system and method also advantageously addresses the increasingly complex identification of coupons by removing the encoded redemption requirements from the coupon itself and moving the redemption requirements to a third party coupon processing appliance.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to represent offer rules based on requirements for the detection of predefined types of events and actions scheduled to be performed in response to the detection of each occurrence of the events. The events are independent from each other in processing and are linked via prerequisite conditions and/or ineligibility conditions to formulate the requirements of an offer campaign. In one embodiment, the ineligibility of a user, participating in the offer campaign, to meet the requirements of a first event leads to the monitoring of a second event that has a prerequisite condition formulated based on the ineligibility of the user to meet the requirements of the first event; and the second event provides an alternative path within the offer campaign when the user cannot meet the requirements of the first event.

Abstract: A method for determining the value provided to an advertiser through the advertiser's online advertisements may begin with providing an online advertisement linked to content. A macro-context may be obtained that quantifies the affinity of the content for a plurality of domains corresponding to a semantic space. A personalization vector may be obtained that quantifies the affinity of at least one aspect of a user for the plurality of domains. The user may then select the online advertisement. A match value may be calculated that quantifies the similarity between the personalization vector and the macro-context. The advertiser may then be charged a monetary amount for the user's “click.” The monetary amount may be based, at least in part, on the match value.

Abstract: An end user earns points by selecting advertisement content and observing the advertisement content at a client at a first time period. The points are stored in memory until the end user desires to view entertainment content. A server streams entertainment content selected by the end user to the client at a second time period if the points stored for the end user are at least equal to a point cost of the entertainment content. For example, entertainment content that is normally streamed with advertisement content for presentation during commercial breaks is streamed at the second time period without advertisement content since the end user has already viewed advertisement content at the first time period.