Abstract: A receipt system allows customers to store receipts on a Unified Card or smartphone when making purchases from different retailer merchants. The customer purchases goods or services and the receipt is recorded electronically onto a single Unified Card or smartphone. This eliminates the need for paper receipts. The user can then use the Unified Card or smartphone to make returns or exchanges or as proof of purchase. Unified Card readers can be located at Kiosks as part of a home based system that works with the user's home computer.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system includes primary and auxiliary printers powered by a shared power supply. A POS terminal includes the shared power supply, a user interface, and a host including a printer driver for dynamically generating primary print commands. A printer connection card connected to the POS terminal includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub in communication with the host and having at least one USB connector powered by the shared power supply. The primary printer is connected to the USB hub for receiving power and the primary print commands through the USB hub from the POS terminal. An auxiliary printer has a power-only connection to the printer connection card, receiving independently generated auxiliary print commands from a separate host computer. A controller includes control logic for selectively blocking the primary print commands to the primary printer in response to the signal drawn by the auxiliary printer exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to translating loyalty requests between loyalty clients and loyalty hosts. For example, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for translating point-of-sale loyalty requests by using a loyalty request to create a translated loyalty request that is compatible with a loyalty host and by using the loyalty response to create a translated loyalty response that is compatible with the loyalty client.

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

Abstract: 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: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling access to mass transit systems using a financial transaction instrument including reading an identifier including financial payment information from the financial transaction instrument and determining whether the identifier is stored in a database. Access to a holder of the financial transaction instrument is provided based on the determining.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying information by an electronic price label which uses thresholds to minimize the number of messages to an electronic price label. The system includes a record for an item associated with the electronic price label which contains the thresholds. The thresholds divide the information into a number of ranges including a first range of information and a second range of information.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying information by an electronic price label which uses thresholds to minimize the number of messages to an electronic price label. The system includes a record for an item associated with the electronic price label which contains the thresholds. The thresholds divide the information into a number of ranges including a first range of information and a second range of information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of authenticating identity of an individual and performing a related action, the individual having a portable electronic device including identification information and a portable electronic device communication device, the portable electronic device adapted to communicate with an authentication device comprising identification information relating to authorised individuals, the method comprising the steps of: the authentication device generating an identification request for identification of the individual, the portable electronic device requesting reception of the identification request from the authentication device, transmitting the identification request from the authentication device to the portable electronic device, generating an identification response and transmitting the identification response from the portable electronic device to the authentication device, the authentication device receiving the identification response and relating the identification in

Abstract: A system and method for performing a security check at a checkout terminal is disclosed. Various heuristics are utilized to verify that a customer or clerk has properly identified an item being purchased. In various embodiments, the weight or other physical characteristics of an item placed on a product scale are measured and compared with expected physical characteristics for the item. If a mismatch is detected between the actual physical characteristics and the expected physical characteristics, the transaction may be flagged for further investigation.

Abstract: A consumer capital distribution system for providing revenue to underfunded municipal projects and charitable organizations. Consumers are provided with a member card that is linked to a charity of their choice, and a consumer loyalty program that retains store credits for any participating retailers the consumer patronizes. When the consumer makes a purchase at t participating business, a first portion of the purchase price is donated by the business to the consumer's selected charity; a second portion is contribution to a participating business retirement plan fund; and a third portion is attributed to the consumer's loyalty program account as a store credit. The system is administered by an administrative entity that enrolls new consumers, businesses and charities, and tracks the account details and donation history of each. The system and method thus help municipalities to provide revenue to projects that would otherwise go unfunded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from merchants. A customer interacts with the merchant to identify items to purchase, and the merchant directs the customer to the broker in order to complete the transaction. The broker receives a description of a virtual shopping cart generated by the merchant and presents the customer with an interface allowing the customer to select shipping and other options for the purchase. The broker calculates a total amount for the transaction based on the shopping cart description and the options selected by the customer. The broker informs the merchant of the purchase and coordinates the shipment of the purchased items from the merchant to the customer.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for applying an offer scheme to usage data using a user interface. In operation, usage data associated with a user is received from a server. Additionally, one or more offer schemes are displayed to the user using a user interface. Furthermore, the user is allowed to apply the one or more offer schemes to the usage data, utilizing the user interface. Still yet, the user is allowed to select one of the one or more offer schemes based on a result of the application, utilizing the user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring, altering, controlling, securing, and extending the processing capability and functionality of PCs and POS devices using a non-volatile memory device using software and data carried within the apparatus.

Abstract: A payment device and method and system for using the payment device is described capable of utilizing a pre-authorized amount on existing infrastructure, including POS terminals or for using offline pre-paid products on this infrastructure. The updates for the pre-authorized or offline prepaid products can be sent by the issuer and applied by the card contemporaneously with the card's processing of the issuer authentication data but without requiring any additional bytes in the issuer authentication data. The updates performed by the issuer can be larger and more extensive than could be achieved by using any available space in the issuer authentication data.

Abstract: A method and system processes location data associated with a transaction in an electronic transaction processing system. The system comprises at least one point of sale terminal, such as a merchant terminal or ATM terminal, and at least one cardholder mobile terminal, each terminal being connected to a network and associated with a same electronic transaction. Data representative of the geographical location of the at least one point of sale terminal and data representative of the geographical location of the at least one cardholder mobile terminal is also obtained. The respective positional data of the terminals is compared, and an alert message is communicated over the network if the comparison indicates that the terminals are not located within a predetermined proximity to one another. The transaction can be authorised or rejected based on the position of the cardholder at the time to the transaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conducting offline transactions using mobile devices at a point of sale device while the point of sale device is disconnected from a network. The point of sale device may receive a mobile transaction code from a mobile device, the mobile transaction code associated with an offline transaction between the mobile device and the point of sale device.

Abstract: A personal device is provided. The personal device includes an identification verification system that receives first identification data from a physical identification device, such as by inserting a driver's license into a card reader that is adapted to receive a driver's license. Second identification data such as a PIN number is also received. Payment authorization data or other suitable data is generated if the driver's license corresponds to the PIN. A payment selection system or other suitable system receives the payment authorization data and displays one or more payment accounts for selection by a user. Where a payment selection system is used, the payment selection system transmits payment account data to a point-of-sale system.

Abstract: A method of operating a merchant device includes the merchant device receiving an input from a customer mobile device concerning a financial transaction. The method further includes the merchant device selecting a payment transaction mode of operation when the input is a request for a payment card system transaction, or selecting a payment card purchase transaction mode of operation when the input from the customer mobile device is a payment card account number. In the payment transaction mode of operation the merchant device provides transaction data to the customer's mobile device, whereas in the payment card purchase transaction mode the merchant device transmits a payment card authorization request to an acquirer financial institution.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.

Abstract: Pursuant to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, and means for conducting payment transactions using mobile devices are provided in which a mobile device is presented at a point of sale for use in a payment transaction. A selection of a primary account is received from a user of the mobile device, and the mobile device automatically identifies a product type of the primary payment account. The mobile device selects and transmits a proxy payment account identifier having a product type equivalent to the product type of the primary payment account to the point of sale for use in the payment transaction. The point of sale causes a first payment authorization request message to be routed to an issuer of the proxy payment account.

Abstract: Point of sale (POS) data systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A POS data system (100) can include a plurality of coupled POS devices (110) each including a processor and a data storage device (120). The data storage device can include logic (130) which, when executed by the processor provides point of sale functionality; data storage (140) accessible to at least one of the remaining coupled POS devices; and logic to allocate at least a portion of the data generated by a first POS device on at least one of the remaining coupled POS devices.

Abstract: A method that includes obtaining a current location of a mobile device of a customer; sending the current location to a cardless payment system; determining whether to send, to the cardless payment system, an indication of consent to perform a cardless payment transaction with the merchant; displaying on the mobile device whether the merchant is authorized to perform a cardless payment transaction with the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading money from a gift card into a digital wallet. The transfer can be done at a point of sale (POS), such as during a purchase of the gift card. The digital wallet can be a digital wallet of a user who is purchasing the gift card. The money in the digital wallet can be used to purchase products from the same merchant or another merchant. The money can be transferred from the digital wallet to any other person or entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to initiate electronic payments using wireless network broadcasts. For example, a purchaser may purchase goods and/or services offered by a merchant by checking out (initiating a payment transaction for the goods and/or services) via a cash register or a point of sale terminal at the merchant. When a purchase amount or total for a particular purchase is calculated, a payment request message may be broadcasted publicly on a wireless network where the merchant and an electronic device operated by the purchaser may participate as network nodes. The electronic device may receive the broadcasted payment request message and may display an interface or visual indication that includes information associated with the payment request message such that the purchaser interact with the interface or visual indication to initiate a payment transaction to purchase the goods and/or services associated with the particular purchase.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to merchandise and point-of-sale transaction business objects.

Abstract: A giving customer sends to a Short Message Service (SMS) gifting system a SMS text message with a gift amount, mobile phone number, and personal message for a receiving customer. The SMS gifting system authorizes payment for gifts by sending a SMS text message or secure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS) request to the giving customer's mobile phone or mobile device requiring customer to respond by SMS or HTTPS. When the giving customer replies to the SMS message with an approval code such as a Personal-Identification-Number (PIN), the SMS gifting system uses a queue of payment sources for the giving customer to create transaction requests to a bank authorization network. When the SMS gifting system receives authorization, it completes the gift transaction by sending a SMS message to the receiving user's mobile phone. Deals and vouchers may be shared among sub-users in a grouped account.

Abstract: A POS machine and a POS machine card-payment system and a card-payment transaction method thereof. The POS machine card-payment system can select merchant information by selecting a product or a merchant and download the merchant information in a database to a POS machine terminal, and thus enable the POS machine terminal to perform card-payment operation based on the downloaded merchant information, thereby achieving the function that a plurality of merchants share a POS machine terminal to perform card-payment operation, and the merchant information can be added, deleted and modified by the card-payment system, thereby achieving the purpose of freely expanding the number of merchants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring, altering, controlling, securing, and extending the processing capability and functionality of PCs and POS devices using a non-volatile memory device using software and data carried within the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described.

Abstract: A system for dynamic currency conversion is provided. The system includes a bank identifier system determining whether currency conversion is available for a card-issuing bank of a presented card, such as by comparing a bank identifier from the card with a list or table of participating banks. An exchange rate system determines whether an exchange rate has expired, such as an exchange rate associated with the foreign currency of the card-issuing bank. The card holder is presented with an option for selecting a foreign currency transaction after it is determined that currency conversion is available for the card-issuing bank and that the exchange rate has not expired, such that the card holder does not need to see such information unless foreign currency processing is available.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online to offline commerce are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system configured to receive a request to check-in a customer at a merchant facility is disclosed. The system receives a request to access real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with a first customer and transmits the real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with the first customer to a mobile client device. The request to check-in and the request to access the real-time pre-sale transaction data are transmitted by the first mobile client device. The system is configured to authenticate the request to check-in at the merchant facility, process the request to access the real-time pre-sale transaction data, and responsively access the real-time pre-sale transaction data associated with the first customer from a point of sale device located at the merchant facility.

Abstract: Coin types of coins with which a user is permitted to pay for a transaction are divided into first and second groups. The coin types of the second group are of lower value than those of the first group. A difference in which a total amount of the transaction is a minuend is determined. Where the difference is positive and can only be exactly paid for by the user using just coins of the coin types of the second group, and where a community escrow has a current balance greater than the difference, the following is performed. In response to the user indicating that the difference should be paid for from the community escrow, the transaction is electronically credited from the community escrow by an amount equal to the difference, and the difference is electronically debited from the community escrow.

Abstract: A product configurator includes a constraint based network that includes a plurality of nodes. The configurator receives one or more user selections and generates one or more automatic selections to form a complete configuration. The configurator receives a request to change the configuration after forming the complete configuration, and retracts the automatic selections. For each of the retracted automatic selections, the configurator determines if the retracted automatic selection is a configuration-defining selection and reasserts the configuration-defining selections.

Abstract: A method for acquiring data from a point-of-sale (POS) system is executed by an electronic label system. The electronic label system includes a host and a virtual printer unit operable to communicate with the host over a network. The POS system is operable to obtain sales information from a database thereof and to transmit the sales information to the virtual printer unit. In the method, the virtual printer unit is configured to convert the sales information into print data that can be recognized by the host, and to transmit the print data to the host through the network.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced security for a self-checkout system is disclosed where predicted weights of items are used to predict the total order weight. The predicted total order weight is compared to an actual weight of the order based on a weighing of the total order, and an output provided indicating whether the comparison is within acceptable limits or if a security alert or attendant assistance is needed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to performing a transaction using a third party mobile wallet, performing a transaction using a third party point of sale (POS) system and to making a purchase from a third party mobile wallet provided by a third party mobile wallet provider. In one scenario, a cloud-based transaction platform is provided, which receives communication from an agent terminal over a communication channel connected to the cloud-based transaction platform. The agent communication indicates that a customer desires to perform a mobile wallet transaction using their third party mobile wallet.

Abstract: A point of sale interface (POS IF) emulator system includes a payment data processing-verification device that processes payment information in accordance with POS device information, emulates a POS input operation, and inputs the processed payment information to a POS device through a keyboard interface; the payment information being created from payment information extracted from shopping information and payment information acquired from user registration information, the shopping information being created by a mobile phone by acquiring item information from an item tag for an item and by performing the acquisition one or more times; wherein payment is made at the POS device corresponding to the POS device information.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide for processing payments at a retail location whose infrastructure has been significantly removed from PCI scope. A request for processing payments may be sent from a point of sale lane to a back office server in communication with a credit card terminal. A user may use the credit card terminal to enter in secure payment information which is securely transmitted to a remote authorization service for authorization. Through this method, the credit card terminal and sensitive payment information may be securely isolated from the remaining infrastructure at the retail location.

Abstract: A novel communications network tracks and manages Merchant and Affiliate promotional efforts in a seamless, integrated fashion. Operative characteristics include central control over promotional Java-based presentations or similar to be easily applied across a broad network of connected Affiliate sites. The system accomplishes this, in part, by providing a selective API for use in wrapping the promotional links. In accordance with this protocol, these links may be hosted by the Clearinghouse or Merchant, and sourced from a variety of third-party vendors.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus capable of transmitting or receiving file data to or from a server, the apparatus comprises a memory which stores file data, a receiver which receives file name data transmitted from the server, a conversion unit which reads from the memory file data which is indicated by the received file name data, and converts the read file data to file data conforming to a format specified by the file name data, and a transmitter which transmits the converted file data to the server.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of facilitating money transfers. The method includes receiving, at a money transfer system, access to a customer's account, establishing, at the money transfer system, a money transfer record including a recipient and an amount, and receiving, at the money transfer system, an identifier for the money transfer record. The method further includes receiving presentation of the identifier at an input device of the money transfer system and authorizing a money transfer associated with the money transfer record.

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: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing and provisioning an aggregated soft card are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for an aggregated soft card from a mobile device, wherein the aggregated soft card includes a primary component soft card and at least one secondary component soft card. The method also includes requesting component soft card data associated with each of the primary component soft card and the at least one secondary component soft card from a plurality of issuing system servers. The method further includes generating aggregated soft card data by establishing a link among the component soft card data received from the plurality of issuing system servers and sending the aggregated soft card data to the mobile device.

Abstract: A payment processing system and method comprising a POS module providing an interface to effect sales of FGS in a retail environment, a device module operatively connected to at least one retail device configured to supply FGS and comprising a card reader adapted to receive a first payment card data for payment for the FGS, wherein the device module is adapted to control operation of the at least one retail device, and a payment system module operatively connected to the POS module and the device module, the payment system module adapted to validate payment for the FGS. The payment system module and the device module are separated from the POS module in order to segment a portion of the payment processing system configured to handle payment card data from a portion of the system that does not handle payment card data.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a geo-fencing payment, including receiving based on a wireless protocol of the geo-fencing payment, a payment account number associated with a mobile device of a consumer, wherein the payment account number is sent automatically to a POS device without user intervention when the mobile device is within a pre-determined range of the POS device, receiving a security code and an identifier of a merchandise that are inputted into the POS device by the consumer, determining that the mobile device is within the pre-determined range when the security code and the identifier are received, submitting, to a computer server, a merchandise order comprising a payment amount, the payment account number, and the security code, and receiving an authorization from the computer server to release the merchandise to the consumer based on a consumer profile of the consumer stored in the computer server.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a banking transaction using a mobile communication device. The method includes creating a task on the mobile communication device to perform a banking transaction while the mobile communication device has no network connectivity, the mobile communication device actively monitoring for an available network to access. In response to identifying an available network to access, the mobile communication device automatically connects to the available network and uploads the task to a server to complete the banking transaction.

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 invention provide a method of implementing electronic transfers with government consulates. The method may include receiving, via the interface terminal, a selection of a country's consulate and a location of the consulate comprising a city in which the consulate has an office. The method may also include receiving, via the interface terminal, a consulate service selection. The method may further include receiving, at an input device, documentation necessary to complete the selected service type. The method may moreover include receiving, via the interface terminal, a payment for the selected service. The method may additionally include transmitting the service type selection, the documents, and the payment to the selected consulate.