Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for detecting potentially fraudulent transactions made on a point-of-sale (POS) device. In some instances, the POS device may upload a batch of authorization requests corresponding to transactions made on the POS device while the POS device was in an offline mode. A payment service may receive this batch and, as opposed to processing the entire batch, may select a subset for processing. After selecting the subset, the payment service may attempt to authorize payment instruments associated with each transaction of the subset. The payment service may then compare an amount of declined payment instruments to a threshold. If the amount is greater than the threshold, then the payment service may flag the subset and/or the batch as fraudulent and may refrain from processing further transactions of the batch.

Abstract: A social media platform and method for displaying and ranking content from an individual user against content from other users. The method prompts the individual user to input user-generated information; receives the user-generated information; acquires related information; receives at least one visual recording related to the user-generated information; associates the user-generated information, the related information, and the captured visual recording to create a user single trophy entry in a remote database; ranks the user single trophy entry relative to a plurality of single trophy entries in the remote database to determine a relative rank; and displays the user single trophy entry with the determined rank. The social media platform displays and ranks trophies taken by a plurality of users utilizing a database, a ranking module, and an output module.

Abstract: A point of sale computer system that allows a customer to select and consummate a sale himself. The system may include graphics storage media configured to store two- and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the sale, as well as business rules storage media, configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on input received from the customer. The technology allows a presentation to be made to the customer that is entertaining and that maintains the attention of the customer throughout the sale selection and consummation process.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a shopping agenda are disclosed. The techniques include receiving an electronic shopping list containing one or more items, each item indicating a product sold by a retailer. The techniques further include obtaining a store map, the store map being indicative of a layout of a store associated with the retailer. The techniques further include determining one or more product waypoints based on the one or more items in the electronic shopping list and the store map, each product waypoint of the one or more product waypoints corresponding to one of the one or more items and being indicative of a location of the product indicated by the item in the store. The techniques also include determining a route traveling through each of the one or more product waypoints and providing the route for display.

Abstract: Methods, secure elements, validation entities, and computer program products for effecting secure communication of payment information to merchants for Internet-based purchases. Payment information for a user's real payment information is installed in a secure element of a computer, the payment information may comprise a pseudo PAN number for the portable consumer device provided by a validation entity. The secure element is shielded from the computer's operating system to thwart hacker attacks. The user accesses the secure element to make a purchase. In response, the secure element contacts the validation entity with the pseudo account number, and in response obtains dynamic payment information that the secure element can used to effect the payment. The dynamic payment information comprises an account number that is different from the pseudo PAN, and which has at least one difference which respect to the user's real payment information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products that provide for a unique directional wayfinding system. In one embodiment of the invention, products are received from the user, such as a shopping list or wish list. The system determines the location of the user, determines the location of the product in the business, determines a route from the user to the product, and provides instructions to the user along the route. In an embodiment, the system identifies and/or confirms the product when the user reaches the product. In at least one embodiment, the systems, methods, and computer-program products provide functionality for the visually-impaired to assist in everyday shopping for products in businesses.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for an integrated loyalty program and game mechanic. When a customer makes a purchase of physical products from a merchant, membership in the merchant's loyalty program can be rewarded with a digital (virtual) asset for use in a computer game. The merchant can also advertise digital assets as loyalty program rewards in the game to persuade customers to purchase physical products from the merchant. In one aspect, the game is maintained by the merchant. In another aspect, the merchant enters into a partnership with an owner of a third party game.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing merchant/customer interaction include determining that a tablet computer is in a merchant orientation, retrieving merchant product information according to a received instruction and merchant orientation information, and displaying a merchant screen on the tablet computer that includes the merchant product information according to the merchant orientation information. A change in the orientation of the tablet computer enclosure/stand is then detected from the merchant orientation to a customer orientation. In response, the merchant screen is transitioned on the tablet computer display to a customer screen as the tablet computer enclosure/stand changes orientations by moving the merchant screen and the customer screen linearly while in a stacked orientation.

Abstract: A system for managing kinematic assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises an electronic identification device associated with an asset. The system further comprises a container comprising a reader disposed within the container for receiving a unique identification of the identification device. The container further comprises a reader node for maintaining an inventory record comprising the asset and for generating a report when the asset is not detected by said reader. The report further comprises a location of the container when said report is generated. The system further comprises a kinematic asset management platform comprising an asset registry for storing data conveyed by the report and a reports engine for generating a second report conveying the location of said container when the report is generated.

Abstract: A message receiving, intercepting and processing method and corresponding application and device may provide receiving a message at a message processing server, the message being intended for a phone number associated with a customer service provider, identifying a telephone number of the sender of the message, parsing at least one word from the message, retrieving user account information of the sender, and generating an automated response to the message that includes contextual information that is based on at least one of the user account information and the parsed at least one word from the message.

Abstract: Provided are a method of transmitting data from a terminal through near field communication (NFC) according to information input to the terminal, and a terminal thereof. The method includes detecting a user interaction input to the terminal, determining data mapped to the detected user interaction; and transmitting the data mapped to the user interaction to the other device through the NFC.

Abstract: A controlling method, adapted for an electronic device for coexistence of radio frequency identification (RFID) and display functions, is provided. The controlling method includes powering on a display of the electronic device and controlling the display to show a frame. Next, a RFID module of the electronic device is powered on to perform a wireless communication function of the RFID module. The controlling method of the invention efficiently controls the execution of the display and wireless communication functions, so as to prevent mutual interference.

Abstract: Methods and devices for NFC tap login with automatically-generated login information are disclosed. A user can launch a browser application and log in a desired website without having to enter the user's username and password. The user can achieve this by tapping a Near Field Communication-enabled computing device with an NFC-enabled wireless device. The wireless device generates and stores the user's usernames and passwords corresponding to a number of websites, and provides the username and password for the desired website to the computing device via an NFC-based communication link. Through a browser application running on the computing device, the user can sign up an account at and log in the desired website.

Abstract: An image display apparatus connected to a printer, for displaying an image to be printed by the printer, includes display section for displaying taken image data as a thumbnail, control section for generating edited image data by editing the taken image data selected by a user and generating an additional thumbnail of the edited image data, and select section for selecting a taken image displayed on the display means to be edited, an editing operation for the taken image, and a print image. As the taken image is edited, the control means displays the additional thumbnail of the edited image data in addition to a thumbnail of the taken image data on the display means to allow each of the thumbnail and the additional thumbnail to be selected as the print image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for a payment card reader comprising: a frame, where the frame includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, a second side surface of the side surfaces on an opposite side of the frame from the first side surface, the first side surface including a groove configured to receive a swipe of a magnetic stripe card, the second side surface including a slot configured to receive insertion of a chip card; a magnetic stripe reader interface; a chip card reader interface; circuitry configured to direct signals from the magnetic stripe reader interface and the chip card reader interface to a microcontroller in the card reader; and circuitry configured to communicate wirelessly between the card reader and a computing device.

Abstract: A system and method incorporating a multi-function printer (MFP), a mobile device and a server to effect payment of MFP services. The MFP generates and displays a session prepayment code containing identification information for the MFP and for a specific session initiated by a user. The code is entered into the mobile device and the mobile device transmits it to the server. In response, the server transmits a menu of MFP functions and costs to the mobile device, allowing the user to estimate and prepay the cost of the specific session through a service accessible on the mobile device. Once proof of prepayment is received, the server transmits an authorization code to the mobile device and the user inputs it into the MFP. The MFP verifies the authorization code with the server and performs user-selected functions until a time allotted for the specific session ends or until available credit is used, whichever comes first.

Abstract: Methods and devices acquire images using a stereo camera or camera network aimed at a first location. The first location comprises multiple parallel primary lanes merging into a reduced number of at least one secondary lane, and moving items within the primary lanes initiate transactions while in the primary lanes and complete the transactions while in the secondary lane. Such methods and devices calculate distances of the moving items from the camera to identify in which of the primary lanes each of the moving items was located before merging into the secondary lane. These methods and devices then order the transactions in a merge order corresponding to a sequence in which the moving items entered the secondary lane from the primary lanes. Also, the methods and devices output the transactions in the merge.

Abstract: Disclosed are payment system and methods in which a shopper pays with a temporary payment token that is a number (such as a 7-digit number that appeared on the screen of the shopper's mobile phone) at a POS device, without the shopper needing have his own mag-stripe card.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a personalized shopping experience with a portable computing device (“PCD”) are described. The system and method may include checking-in PCD consumers upon entering an establishment of a merchant. The checking-in of the PCD consumer may include verifying credentials for gaining access to a central mobile payment controller and receiving a merchant identifier corresponding to a merchant from a computer communication's network. Next, a scan of a machine-readable code associated with at least one of a good and a service may be received. Information associated with the machine-readable code may be retrieved from a database. Subsequently, a personalized price for the at least one good or service may be determined by applying one or more rules. The personalized price may be transmitted over a computer communications network to the portable computing device for display to the PCD consumer.

Abstract: Operational data and metrics from a Self-Service Terminal (SST) network are continuously acquired in a first format at a server. The first format is normalized and delivered to a configured mobile application on a mobile device. The mobile application selectively renders the operational awareness data/metrics for the SST network within one or more screens of a display on the mobile device. The operator of the mobile application can define views of the data/metrics, define alerts or notifications to propagate, and interact with the data/metrics to obtain more or less detail for that data/metrics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for data processing. These techniques may transport, by a computing device, individual retrieving requests for second data corresponding to a first client that sends the retrieving requests for first data into the order pool. The computing device may calculate an initial value of a second total amount of the second data, and then notify a platform of a third party to send the corresponding first data to the first client. The computing device may determine corresponding qualification after retrieving requests for the second data in the order pool are changed. The computing device may return third data to a data processing server of the third party in response to qualification determination. These techniques reduce usage of network resource and therefore increase efficacy of the networking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using wireless communication devices to track the effects of advertising are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes representing the identity of an advertising impression, that is, a specific advertisement, with an impression code. According to exemplary embodiments, the advertising impression is directed to at least one commodity, such as one or more products and services. The method may also further include receiving the impression into a computer-readable memory of a wireless communication device. The method further includes detecting the wireless communication device, and then providing the impression code during the purchase of the commodity. The method continues with obtaining the identity of the advertising impression from the impression code. The method additionally includes creating a transaction record, wherein transaction record includes the advertising impression identity and an identity of the commodity, and storing the transaction record in a database.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant element for use in speaker recognition, the tamper-resistant element being adapted for storing data representing speaker information based on speaker recognition enrollment data and for checking whether information based on a speaker recognition testing signal matches the speaker information. The tamper-resistant element is also adapted for carrying out a data integrity check. Also, a system including such a tamper-resistant element and method for speaker recognition.

Abstract: A method of displaying and ranking certified and user-generated content from an individual user against content from other users. The user is prompted to input user-generated information and various related information and at least one visual recording is received and associated to create a user single trophy entry in a remote database. The user single trophy entry is ranked relative to other trophy entries in the remote database, and is displayed with a determined rank. Overlay data may be automatically received and associated based on the user-generated information and the related information. To create certified user single trophy entries a list of certification partners may be displayed and used.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for authenticating customers using biometrics are presented. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive, from an interactive voice response server, an inbound call notification associated with a telephone call received from a mobile device. Subsequently, the computing platform may determine a device identifier of the mobile device and a customer identifier corresponding to a user of the mobile device. The computing platform then may load a customer authentication profile. Subsequently, the computing platform may generate a biometric authentication prompt for authenticating the user of the mobile device and may cause the biometric authentication prompt to be sent to the mobile device. Thereafter, the computing platform may receive, from the mobile device, a validation message. In response to receiving the validation message, the computing platform may generate an authentication message.

Abstract: Methods, secure elements, validation entities, and computer program products for effecting secure communication of payment information to merchants for Internet-based purchases. Payment information for a user's real payment information is installed in a secure element of a computer, the payment information may comprise a pseudo PAN number for the portable consumer device provided by a validation entity. The secure element is shielded from the computer's operating system to thwart hacker attacks. The user accesses the secure element to make a purchase. In response, the secure element contacts the validation entity with the pseudo account number, and in response obtains dynamic payment information that the secure element can used to effect the payment. The dynamic payment information comprises an account number that is different from the pseudo PAN, and which has at least one difference which respect to the user's real payment information.

Abstract: A method and a system for real time targeted advertising using purchase transaction data and payment card holder activity and location information in a retail environment. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader situated in a retail environment. The RFID reader communicates with an RFID tag that is situated on a payment card of a payment card holder to track the payment card holder as the payment card holder walks around in the retail environment. The system also includes a processor configured to select a predictive behavioral model based on payment activities attributable to the payment card holder and payment card holder activity and location in a retail environment, associate the predictive behavioral model with merchant advertising information, and convey the associated information to a merchant to enable the merchant to make a targeted offer to the payment card holder.

Abstract: A system for computer-aided visual recognition of products may help a customer navigate to a selected product in a retail store. A customer can direct a mobile computing device camera at one or more targeted products displayed on store shelves. Image recognition operations can be carried out to compare the targeted product image(s) against images from a prepopulated product image store of known products. Upon a positive match, shelf location information of the identified targeted product(s) may be used to determine the current location of the customer. An in-store destination location is defined by the shelf location for the selected product. A route may be calculated to navigate the customer from the current location to the destination location.

Abstract: A mobile device including one or more linked memories to store a mobile application and customer data, the mobile application downloaded from a rewards server associated with a retailer, the customer data associated with a loyalty program of the retailer. The mobile device further includes a processor to display the mobile application via the user interface. The processor displays a log-in page permitting a customer to access at least one retailer account associated with the customer and displays a purchase price, via the mobile application, for at least one product associated with the retailer. The processor updates, upon reception of the customer input indicating selection of a payment option, the at least one retailer account to indicate a deduction of the displayed purchase price from at least one payment account.

Abstract: An image processing system is formed of an image forming apparatus and a charge apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises a communication unit, a memory unit for storing charge information to be stored in the charge apparatus when disconnected from the charge apparatus, and a control unit for controlling the charge information stored in the memory unit to be stored in the memory unit when connecting to the charge apparatus. The charge apparatus comprises a communication unit, a memory unit for storing the charge information received from the image forming apparatus, a judgment unit for judging as to whether the charge information stored in the memory unit is in a renewal waiting state; and a control unit for notifying a user where the judgment unit judges that the charge information stored in the memory unit is in the renewal waiting state.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for exchanging information between devices. Each device is configured to execute a web browser application. One of the devices is referred to as a streamer device, and the other a receiver device. The receiver device includes a camera for receiving images displayed by the streamer device. A user of the streamer device can orient the display of the streamer towards the camera of the receiver device. The receiver device uses the camera to observe images displayed by any streamer devices that are present within the field of view of the camera. The receiver device, via the camera, analyzes each video frame displayed by the streamer device for a pattern. If the pattern is detected and matches a predefined pattern, the receiver device can retrieve information associated with the pattern, and display that information in the web browser.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for defining, generating, utilizing, and/or detecting a geo-fence are described. A trigger is obtained, the trigger generated in response to a change in a geo-fence criteria. One or more boundaries of the geo-fence based on the geo-fence criteria are defined in response to obtaining the trigger.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to determining a position of a mobile device relative to a perimeter of a virtual fence. An embodiment receives coordinates representing the perimeter of the virtual fence, determines a proximate location of the mobile device using a hybrid combination of a satellite-based proximate location and an auxiliary local station-based proximate location, and provides feedback based on a comparison of the proximate location of the mobile device to the coordinates representing the perimeter of the virtual fence.

Abstract: A checkout station includes a turntable that is rotatable between a first position and a second position and a barcode scanner that is attached to the turntable and is directed in a first direction in the first position and in a second direction in the second position.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage for storing a plurality types of software licenses in association with a number of possessed licenses, a product type of a software product, and a device specification condition, a receiver for receiving information of a software product operating in a management target device and information of a device specification of the management target device, a determining module for determining a software license to be assigned to the management target device based on the number of possessed licenses, a number of the product types, or the device specification condition, when there is a plurality of software licenses, in which the software product is included in the product type and the device specification meets the device specification condition, among the plurality types of software licenses, and an assigning module for assigning a software license determined by the determining module to the management target device.

Abstract: A social media platform and method for displaying and ranking content from an individual user against content from other users. The method prompts the individual user to input user-generated information; receives the user-generated information; acquires related information; receives at least one visual recording related to the user-generated information; associates the user-generated information, the related information, and the captured visual recording to create a user single trophy entry in a remote database; ranks the user single trophy entry relative to a plurality of single trophy entries in the remote database to determine a relative rank; and displays the user single trophy entry with the determined rank. The social media platform displays and ranks trophies taken by a plurality of users utilizing a database, a ranking module, and an output module.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer system that includes a processor executing the code to: receive an indication indicating that a player desires to participate in a lottery game based on a near field communication (NFC) between a mobile device of the player and a first game piece associated with the lottery game conducted by a game conducting authority; conduct a drawing in accordance with rules of the lottery game; receive an indication identifying an action performed by the player in accordance with the rules of the lottery game where the action is based on: i) a result of the drawing and ii) NFC communication between the mobile device of the player and a second game piece associated with the lottery game; and distribute a prize to player in accordance with the rules of the lottery game.

Abstract: Various aspects of dynamic power reduction in a bus communication architecture are described herein as embodied in an XBAR architecture that provides flexible gating of multiple paths and repeater circuitry to allow any of a number of selected clients to communicate with any of the other interconnected clients while reducing dynamic power consumption by disabling unused repeater circuitry in the bus communication architecture.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for auditing in-store sales transactions when a digital receipt is issued. A receipt application server formulates a digital receipt from digital receipt data received from a POS system. The digital receipt is sent from the receipt application server to an auditor mobile device at the location of the POS system. A human auditor can view the digital receipt during an in-store audit. In some embodiments, one or both of the receipt application server and the auditor mobile device reorder receipt entries so that items having specified characteristics are presented more prominently on a display. For example, receipt entries can be re-ordered such that higher profit margin items, bulkier items, or more likely to be stolen items are presented more prominently. As such, a human auditor is more likely to expressly audit these types of items.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for identifying advertising content and providing a user of a mobile device with a channel related to the advertising content. A recognition application receives advertising content comprising a series of frames, identifies images corresponding to the frames within the advertising content, identifies a first set of feature points from a first image of the advertising content, determines whether the first set of feature points matches a second set of feature points stored in a database, and in response to determining that the first set of feature points fails to match the second set of feature points, identifies the first image as being unique, indexes the first image and the first set of feature points and associates the first image with a channel.

Abstract: A system for presentation of multiple NFC credentials via an NFC baseband in a portable communication device during a single NFC transaction. The system comprises a secure element having a directory of available NFC credentials stored therein, wherein the ordering of the available NFC credentials usually indicates the priority. The system further comprises a pre-determined multiple-credential start Application ID (AID) wherein the directory includes a plurality of NFC credentials after the pre-determined multiple-credential start AID. A method for presenting multiple NFC credentials during a single NFC transaction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing payment transaction at a computing device is provided. The method includes receiving a payment request at the computing device from a purchaser terminal, the payment request including purchaser information, determining whether payment information associated with the purchaser information exists at the computing device, and processing payment transaction using the payment information if it is determined that the payment information associated with the purchaser information exists at the computing device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated computer implemented method and system for determining authorization for a point of sale transaction, wherein the method is executed by a programmed computer processor which communicates with a user via a communication network comprising receiving a point of sale authorization request for a transaction from a customer at a merchant, via a communication network; accessing profile data associated with one or more of the customer, an account associated with the customer and the merchant involved in the transaction; applying one or more rules to the authorization request wherein the one or more rules comprises one or more of credit rules and fraud rules; applying one or more scoring algorithm to the authorization request wherein the one or more scoring algorithm indicates an assessment of risk; determining an authorization response, via a programmed computer processor, based at least in part on a combination of profile data, the one or more applied

Abstract: A system may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a mobile device and processing logic. The processing logic may be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device, when the mobile device is located proximate to the system, for a first payment for a good or service, and transmit a communication to the mobile device subsequent to receiving the authorization from the mobile device, where the communication is transmitted when the mobile device is not located proximate to the system. The processing logic may further be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device for a second payment in response to the communication.

Abstract: When a consumer makes a purchase at a POS using a payment provider, the payment provider provides, to the merchant, a consumer identification (ID) and an authorization number, along with the payment approval. After receiving the information from the payment provider, the POS device sends a generated digital or electronic receipt to an email address of the payment provider. The email contains information about the payer and the authorization. Upon receipt, the payment provider may upload the electronic receipt into the consumer's mobile wallet or account using the payer ID and authorization number. As a result, the consumer can easily locate and access a receipt on the consumer's mobile device, such as by accessing the user's mobile wallet or the user's payment provider account on the mobile device, e.g., through a mobile app.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for visualizing an object includes the steps of providing a simulated environment; rendering, with at least one processor, at least one virtual object based at least partially on the simulated environment, a viewable angle of the at least one virtual object, and object characteristics associated with the at least one virtual object, the object characteristics comprising at least one of the following: reflectance, transmittance, attenuation, or any combination thereof, and changing a viewable angle of the at least one virtual object in response to user input. A system and a computer program product for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components.

Abstract: A method for providing a customer with information at a POS, comprising the steps of: identifying the customer at a POS terminal; requesting a bill from a cash register system and sending it together with the identification information to a personalization server; creating and/or supplementing the customer's profile within the personalization server and calculating a personalized information based on the users history as well as provided data by the merchant; sending back the personalized information to the POS terminal; and putting out the personalized information to the customer via an interface.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods for selecting a credit card for a user at a point of sale. One method generally includes determining an identity of a business establishment corresponding to the point of sale where the user intends to complete a purchase transaction with one of a plurality of payment cards held by the user, providing the identity of the business establishment to at least a subset of issuers of the plurality of payment cards in order to receive details regarding rewards provided by each issuer in the subset to the user if the user uses a corresponding payment card for the purchase transaction at the business establishment, and presenting to the user a recommendation to use at least one of the payment cards for the purchase transaction based on received details regarding rewards from the issuers.

Abstract: The risk of fraud in point of sale credit card transactions is reduced by providing independently-routed verification by communication between the authorized user of the credit card and the issuer of the credit card through a trusted intermediary.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to securing payments from a mobile communications device. In exemplary embodiments, a mobile communications device communicates with a payment server via a point-of-sale device to conduct a transaction. The mobile communications device uses a client payment logic to send payment information to the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device uses a vendor payment logic to forward the payment information to the payment server. The payment server verifies the payment information and sends confirmation to the point-of-sale device.