Abstract: Techniques for facilitating the exchange of information and transactions between two entities associated with two wireless devices when the devices are in close proximity to each other. A first device uses a first short range wireless capability to detect an identifier transmitted from a second device in proximity, ideally using existing radio capabilities such as Bluetooth (IEEE802.15.1-2002) or Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11). The detected identifier, being associated with the device, is also associated with an entity. Rather than directly exchanging application data flow between the two devices using the short range wireless capability, a second wireless capability allows for one or more of the devices to communicate with a central server via the internet, and perform the exchange of application data flow. By using a central server to draw on stored information and content associated with the entities the server can broker the exchange of information between the entities and the devices.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for collecting access point information in linkage with a mobile card payment system to measure a location of a user using an access point of a wireless local area network (WLAN) service. The method may include (a) receiving payment information relating to a mobile communication terminal from a card company server, (b) transmitting an access point information collecting control signal to the mobile communication terminal based on the payment information, (c) receiving access point information collected by the mobile communication terminal in response to the control signal, and (d) storing the received access point information in a storage means.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing and managing electronic event tickets are provided. For example, a device for managing an electronic event ticket may include a processor configured to run an electronic ticket management application, a memory device configured to store data associated with the electronic ticket management application, an electronic display configured to display at least a portion of the data associated with the electronic ticket management application, and an input/output interface configured to receive an electronic ticket and the data associated with the electronic ticket for management by the electronic ticket management application. The electronic ticket management application may be configured to enable the electronic device to gain entry to an event and to obtain at least one other event-related benefit after the electronic ticket is received by the input/output interface.

Abstract: Electric vehicles that use replaceable and exchangeable batteries, applications for communicating with a service that provides access to kiosks of batteries, and methods and systems for finding charged batteries, reserving batteries, and paying for use of the batteries, are disclosed. One example is a system for managing access to and exchange of batteries for use by electric vehicles. The electric vehicles have receptacle slots for receiving batteries for powering an electric motor of the electric vehicle. The system includes a kiosk having a plurality of receptacle slots for holding a plurality of batteries, and at least one of the plurality of receptacle slots is accessible to enable access of a battery from the kiosk. each receptacle slot having a connection disposed therein that connects to a power source.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating an interactive digital receipt on a user device, where the receipt offers an engagement platform for merchants and customers to interact on a continuous basis. The interactive digital receipt is generated in response to an occurrence of a particular financial transaction. The receipt includes a plurality of time-based interactive components to enable the merchant and the customer to interact with one another. In one embodiment, the time-based interactive components include a gratuity component to allow adding of a gratuity amount after the occurrence of the transaction. The gratuity component is associated with a timeframe that defines a time period for which the customer may submit the gratuity amount. The time period can range from a limited time period to an unlimited time period.

Abstract: Techniques for concurrent distribution of reloadable prepaid cards and enablement of the reloadable prepaid cards for use at access control points of a transit system. Techniques of enabling of the reloadable prepaid cards for use at access control points of the transit system can include obtaining user information, payment, and communicating card information to a card issuer for activation of the first reloadable prepaid card. A transit user account for managing transactional information of the user of the transit system is also created, reloadable prepaid card is enabled for use as fare media at access control points of the transit system. Thus, once distributed, the prepaid reloadable cards may be used as fare media in the transit system as payment for transit fare, as well as for purchases at locations outside the transit system.

Abstract: A system is described that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers. Processing occurs in a cycle where at a single prompt, a transaction is identified as a sale or a non-monetary transfer. A good that is the subject of the transaction is also identified. The good, and either a sales price or cost price, depending on whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer, respectively, is displayed. A record of the transaction, including whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer and the sales price or cost price, respectively, is created and stored. An inventory count record is adjusted to reflect an adjustment to inventory based on the occurrence of the transaction. The system that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers may include multiple devices in a server/client architecture or may include a single device. A corresponding method and storage medium are also described.

Abstract: Various kinds of value can be easily added to print data output from an existing application without modifying the existing application program. A value-adding method executes a process of adding value to print data output from an application on a computer that has one or more communication ports and executes a specific process by means of an application, and includes a data acquisition step of acquiring the print data at the operating system kernel layer before the print data is received at the communication port, and a data processing step that applies at the application layer a process of adding and/or deleting print content in the print data based on previously registered information, and outputs the data after processing to the specified communication port.

Abstract: There is provided a method of authenticating data, comprising the following elements. Firstly, a voice biometric system is trained to identify a user from a message spoken by the user. Then a spoken message is received from the user, the spoken message comprising word content to be authenticated. The word content is then authenticated by using the voice biometric system to identify the user, and thereby authenticating the word content in the spoken message as word content spoken by the identified user. Suitable apparatus and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for conducting sales transactions are provided. Embodiments include handheld, portable, electronic, point of purchase devices configured to acquire identification information from articles to be purchased, to determine a purchase price, and to acquire payment information for the purchase price. The point of purchase devices may include one or more input devices such as a near field communication device, a camera, a scanner, and a biometric sensor for acquiring the identification information and/or the payment information. In some embodiments, the near field communication device may be detachable from the point of purchase device. The point of purchase devices also may contain communication interfaces, such as a near field communication interface, a local area network interface, a short message service interface, and a personal area network interface, for transmitting the information to an external server.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems to enable a digital wallet identifier to be present in communications associated with transaction data for transactions that are facilitated by a digital wallet provider. In one embodiment, a communication device of a user receives a request for payment credentials required to conduct a transaction and obtains the payment credentials. The payment credentials include a digital wallet identifier and at least some of the payment credentials are obtained from a trusted execution environment associated with the communication device. The obtained payment credentials are provided to an access device associated with a merchant. The access device is configured to initiate the transaction by generating an authorization request message including the payment credentials for onward transmission to an issuer computer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for vendor-facilitated guaranty provisioning. For certain example embodiments, at least one device, such as a payment authorization apparatus: (i) may obtain one or more transaction characteristics of at least one product transaction that relates to at least one customer; or (ii) may generate one or more messages to pursue purchase permission with respect to at least one customer and with at least one guaranty corresponding to at least one product transaction. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique way of using mobile or other devices containing accelerometers to provide a unique two-factor authentication comprising something possessed and something known. This involves a combination of the device and the user in the authentication. In one embodiment, the user adds a unique movement pattern (something known) to the device ID (something possessed) to create a unique two-factor authentication. In this way, authentication and security are taken to a high level, beyond biometric identification which is actually just two things possessed.

Abstract: A terminal, such as an automated teller machine, comprises: a customer identification device; a sensor for detecting presence of a customer at the terminal; and a controller coupled to the customer identification device and the sensor. The controller is programmed to (i) track the customer's location, (ii) create a session on identification of a customer, and (iii) close the created session when a customer absence criterion is fulfilled. The functions of the customer identification device and the sensor may be performed by a single unit. The customer absence criterion may comprise a time period during which the customer is not detected at the terminal.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between a mobile communication device and a server. The method includes running a mobile application on the mobile communication device. The mobile application is hosted on the mobile communication device through the server as a Software as a Service (SaaS). The method further includes transmitting data associated with the mobile application between the mobile communication device and the server, in which transmission of the data between the mobile communication device and the server is monitored through the server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and include a method for fraud prevention. A method includes receiving registration information for a user, including identities of the user and an authenticating device and a payment source identifier, and storing the registration information. A payment authorization request relating to a transaction purported to be by the user and including the payment source identifier is received. Using the payment source identifier, the identity of the user and the authenticating device is retrieved. A communication is provided to the user including transaction information. The message is delivered to the user at the authenticating device. The method also includes receiving (and subsequently forwarding) either a payment authorization or a payment repudiation responsive to the communication from the user by way of the authenticating device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing budgeting support at a transaction device. A user may initiate a transaction at the transaction device, and budget categories associated with an account involved in the transaction may be received at the transaction device. The budget categories may be presented to the user at the transaction device during the transaction. Input may be received from the user at the transaction device that identifies one of the budget categories as a selected budget category. The selected budget category may be associated with a transaction record created for the transaction.

Abstract: A checkout station includes a checkout terminal having a detecting unit at a front surface thereof, and first and second shopping cart parking regions on opposite lateral sides of the checkout terminal. The detecting unit is configured to detect an item to be purchased by a customer as the item is transferred from a shopping cart parked in the first shopping cart parking region to a shopping cart parked in the second shopping cart parking region.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between a mobile communication device and a server. The method includes running a mobile application on the mobile communication device. The mobile application is hosted on the mobile communication device through the server as a Software as a Service (SaaS). The method further includes transmitting data associated with the mobile application between the mobile communication device and the server, in which transmission of the data between the mobile communication device and the server is monitored through the server.

Abstract: Individual users may log into the same online game from multiple different social networking platforms. The disclosed technology provides a way to unite users' accounts such that users that have logged into the online game from different social networking platforms can have their progress in the online game preserved regardless of which social networking platforms the user logged in from. Business intelligence about differences in the user's value when logging in from the different social networking platforms can be determined and incentivizing actions can be performed on the social networking platforms based on the business intelligence.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label system is provided. There is provided a method in which an electronic shelf label periodically transmits its remaining battery capacity to a server in a electronic shelf label system according to the present invention, and the server converts the battery level into a remaining battery life (time) and provides the same, so that a manager can check the remaining battery life in a management mode of the server and a terminal, and easily manage an electronic shelf label using a battery.

Abstract: A processing device includes a processing section that performs a processing operation in accordance with an operation by a user; a charging section that accepts payment of a charge in accordance with a use of the processing section, and that, as a result of a returning operation after the use of the processing section, returns change or the cash replacement card after the acceptance of the payment of the charge; a human sensor that detects entry of the user into and leaving of the user from a predetermined close area; and a controller that, if the human sensor detects the leaving of the user from the close area without the returning operation being performed, prohibits the use of the processing section and removal of the change or the cash replacement card to be returned when the change or the cash replacement card to be returned exists.

Abstract: A mobile computing device based expense capture and reporting system is provided. A mobile expense capture application is an integral part of a networked expense management service such as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) service. A user interface enables users to enter expense related information and accept/reject/edit prompted values for various entries. Upon completion of the entries, the information is transmitted to the networked service and/or stored locally. At least a portion of the information is automatically provided based on a location and/or action of the user. Furthermore, the mobile computing device is capable of capturing an expense document and retrieving at least some of the expense information from the captured document.

Abstract: Point of sale processing of multiple options is possible with a single tap of a contactless device. The user taps the contactless device in the device reader's radio frequency field. The device reader and the contactless device establish a secure communication channel. Once a secure communication channel is established, the device reader communicates the purchase to the contactless device. The contactless device presents value-added services available to the user. The contactless device communicates the user's selected value-added service(s) to the device reader, and the reader communicates the purchase price of the transaction. The contactless device communicates payment options to the user and then communicates the user-selected payment options to the device reader. The device reader communicates a digital receipt to the contactless device, and the secure communication is terminated.

Abstract: A method and system for providing laundry services makes use of a laundry station having an interactive point-of-sale device operably connected to one or more laundry unit containers for housing items to be laundered. The laundry station is used: to receive and accept orders for laundry services from a customer, including the collection of payment from the customer; to provide information directing the customer to place their laundry in a designated laundry unit container in response to the order received from the customer; to generate and communicate an electronic message to instruct a laundry station operator or laundry services provider to fulfill the order.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing the setting of reservations and the pre-authorization of credit to purchase a desired service for which a reservation is made. A customer accesses a reservation system that is integrated with a credit authorization system. The customer may make a reservation and substantially simultaneously become pre-authorized to pay for services to be provided at the reservation by one of any number of credit providers. Pre-authorized credit and reservation information is then supplied to the service provider in advance of services being provided, expediting the overall transaction time and allowing for a secure and cardless transaction procedure. The reservation and preauthorization information are typically stored upon the reservation system and then passed to the point-of-sale systems, but other types of input/output storage devices could be used to perform this function.

Abstract: A computerized method for generating a time-limited number for use in a payment card transaction involving a payment card issued by a financial institution. The payment card comprises an original payment card number. A first plurality of digits of the original payment card number is provided to a processor. The first plurality of digits are predetermined digits associated to the financial institution. A desired expiration date through which the time-limited number is valid for acceptance in the payment card transaction is provided to the processor. A program is executed by the processor to set a first plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first plurality of digits in the original payment card number, generate a first number corresponding to the desired expiration date, set a second plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first number, and output the time-limited number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying enhanced services for presentation to a user at a point-of-sale terminal. The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a system that may be configured to receive a request to authenticate a purchase transaction that identifies a financial service account and a point-of-sale terminal. The system may be configured to determine, based on the request, whether an issuer of the user's account corresponds to a provider associated with the point-of-sale terminal. The server may also be configured to identify one or more services available to the user, when the issuer corresponds to the provider, and provide information identifying the services to the point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying enhanced services for presentation to a user at a point-of-sale terminal. The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a system that may be configured to receive a request to authenticate a purchase transaction that identifies a financial service account and a point-of-sale terminal. The system may be configured to determine an issuer of the user's account and to obtain, from the issuer, information identifying one or more first services offered by the issuer.

Abstract: Payment kiosk. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: obtaining information about a cash payment for services, the obtaining by a kiosk; receiving the cash payment from a user, the receiving by the kiosk; sending a request to a service provider of the services, the request to pay for services, and the sending from the kiosk to the service provider by way of a portable electronic device carried by the user; receiving, by the kiosk, a notification of approval from the service provider, the receiving by the kiosk through the portable electronic device; and receiving an indication of receipt related to the payment, the receiving by the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A retail system for electronic cigarettes includes a point-of-sale device configured to communicate with an electronic cigarette user, an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigarette charging pack, a mobile phone, and/or a vendor of electronic cigarettes.

Abstract: A checkout station includes a scale fixedly attached to a framework of the checkout station and a track, surrounding the scale, through which a display moves between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing point-of-sale functionality are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including a merchant device and a consumer facing device. The merchant device may include a merchant display device configured to present interactive displays of a merchant facing interface configured to be used by merchants. The consumer facing device may be configured to present interactive displays of a consumer facing interface configured to be used by consumers. The point-of-sale system may be configured to facilitate financial transactions and other forms of consumer service. For example, merchant inputs provided via the merchant facing interface (e.g., entered menu items) may be shown on the consumer facing interface. In another example, consumer inputs provided via the consumer facing interface be sent to the merchant device and/or otherwise used by the merchant device to facilitate a financial transaction, among other things.

Abstract: Large volumes of financial transactions are processed today across a variety of financial platforms including but not limited to debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, e-purse, Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) transactions, and Point of Sale (POS) cards. The vast majority of these relate to discrete transactions undertaken either by the user being physically present at a POS purchase or undertaking an online purchase. However, in many instances, particularly with respect to services, it would be beneficial if the user via financial transaction software systems and/or software applications could authorize periodic transactions in respect to the service and/or wares. It would be further beneficial if the periodic or recurring transactions could be established by the user at a POS and that the timescales of these transactions could be established with high flexibility.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that allow for personalized media playback at a discovered point-of-sale display. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves discovering a point-of-sale display by a portable computing device. The point-of-sale display comprises at least one media playback device. The method further involves receiving, over a wireless network by the portable computing device, a software application and a system identifier of the point-of-sale display. The system identifier to automatically configure the software application to control the at least one media playback device at the discovered point-of-sale display. The method further involves joining the software application on the portable computing device to the point-of-sale display using the system identifier. The method further involves sending from the portable computing device via the configured software application one or more commands to control the at least one media playback device.

Abstract: Techniques for automated employee management are provided. A clock action for an employee is acquired and analyzed based on rules. Next, a decision is made whether to automatically accept the clock action, automatically deny the clock action, or interactively request approval from a supervisor for the clock action. The decision is based on analysis of the rules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a payment system that allows a mobile communications device (MCD) to interact with a merchant processing device (MPD) and a payment engine. A communications component associated with the payment engine can send requested barcodes to the MPD, receive barcodes or alphanumeric Universal Product Codes from customer MCDs, and handle payment authorizations and settlements. A barcode management component can generate and interpret barcodes based upon merchant offerings and client requests. A security algorithms component can employ an offset pair algorithm to convert each digit from a payment card information into an offset pair of digits to facilitate security in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic self-service device is provided. A central computing system according to the invention may include a receiver module configured to receive an input from a self-service device. The input may include information corresponding to a user account authorization notification. The central computing system may also include a processor module configured to determine whether a predetermined asset alert condition exists that corresponds to the account. The central computing system may also include a transmitter module. When the predetermined asset alert condition is determined to exist, the transmitter module may be configured to transmit an alert notification to the self-service device. When the predetermined asset alert condition does not exist, the transmitter module may be configured to authorize use of an account in response to the authorization notification.

Abstract: An interface module is provided for a sales processing system that facilitates the integration of a payment system and external systems with the sales processing system. In one implementation, the interface module includes a first interface configured to support a first protocol for communication with a sales processing module of the sales processing system, a second interface configured to support a second protocol for communication with a payment system, and a third interface configured to support a third protocol for communication with a transaction system for external services. The interface module further includes a controller operable to control routing of messages between the first, second and third interfaces, and reformatting of the messages in accordance with the first, second and third protocols, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for fundraising and charitable giving at a point of sale is disclosed. In one example of a method for fundraising and charitable giving at a point of sale includes the steps of: a customer selecting a product from a store shelf; the customer removing a fundraising tag from the product; the customer completing the information on the fundraising tag, which can include designating an organization to benefit from the fundraising; and a retailer processing the fundraising tag after receiving the completed tag from the customer at the point of sale.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for controlling investment funds, and more particularly to systems and methods for real-time projections based on consumer transactions. In one embodiment, an investment fund management system may include a consumer communication device configured to create a payment gateway with a Point of Sales (POS) terminal. The system further includes a portfolio server accessible over a data network. The consumer communication device is configured to execute a process including the steps of intercepting a transaction through the payment gateway; computing an expected return based on the investment of a transaction amount from said transaction; and providing the expected return to the consumer communication device.

Abstract: A method of selling products includes displaying web-store information related to a web-store on a consumer-operated kiosk at a location. The method may further include displaying product information with the web-store, in which the product information corresponds to products related to the location of the consumer-operated kiosk and available for purchase by a consumer from the web-store.

Abstract: A mobile point-of-sale system includes a cart frame and a battery housed in the cart frame. The cart frame includes a front having a bottom, a back having a bottom edge and a bottom. The bottom includes a pair of upper flanges and a lower housing. The pair of upper flanges have components for receiving wheels for supporting the cart frame and the lower housing includes at least one aperture for venting heat from the battery that is supported by the lower housing. At least a portion of the lower housing and the battery are located below the pair of upper flanges and are located below the bottom edges of the front and the back.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for initiating a service call for a hardware malfunction in a POS system, the POS system having a POS controller domains, the POS controller domain composed of a POS controller and one or more POS terminals, the POS controller operatively coupled to a service dispatcher for a hardware service provider, that include: detecting, by a POS operating system installed on the POS controller, a hardware error within the POS controller domain, the hardware error described by hardware error data; notifying, by the POS operating system, a system administrator of the detected hardware error in dependence upon the hardware error data; generating, by the POS operating system, a service request message in dependence upon the hardware error data; and transferring, by the POS operating system, the service request message to the service dispatcher, the service dispatcher initiating a service call by the hardware service provider.

Abstract: Anonymous mobile payments enable a user to make and/or receive payments without disclosing personal or private information to another party. In some aspects, a provider of a payment may request an anonymous payment for a specified value from a host. In response, the host may transmit to the provider a code that is available for redemption. The provider may then relay the code to a recipient, who may redeem the code from the host. In other aspects, a recipient may request a temporary identifier (special code) from a host. The recipient may relay the temporary identifier to a provider, who may in turn transmit a payment, via the host, using the temporary identifier. The recipient may then claim the payment from the host. In additional aspects, the codes of the anonymous payments may include expiration times and/or restrictions on a number of uses of the code.

Abstract: A method for managing mobile payments in a mobile phone. The method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of issuer specific payment services at a mobile phone, selecting one of the issuer specific payment services, and conducting a transaction using the phone.

Abstract: A method for processing payment transactions includes: storing a plurality of consumer profiles, wherein each consumer profile includes data related to a consumer including at least a combined identifier and at least two payment account identifiers; receiving an authorization request for a payment transaction originating from a point of sale device, wherein the authorization request includes at least a combined identification; identifying a specific consumer profile where the included combined identifier corresponds to the combined identification; transmitting at least the at least two payment account identifiers included in the specific consumer profile to the point of sale device; receiving an indication of one of the at least two payment account identifiers from the point of salve device; updating the authorization request to include at least the indicated one of the at least two payment account identifiers; and transmitting the updated authorization request.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for auditing a transaction record are provided. The transaction record may correspond to a credit card transaction. The auditing may include identifying a surcharge violation. The surcharge violation may be an unlawful surcharge. The auditing may identify patterns of double surcharging. Transaction-level auditing may include ensuring that a surcharge is returned upon a product return. A mobile wallet application may allow consumers to access and/or report merchant surcharge compliance activity. Functionality may include surcharge receipt scanning for use in crosschecking authenticity of a consumer report. Additional crosscheck functionality provided by geographic location support. Embodiments may include a registry for merchants that certify their surcharge calculations.