Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for suggesting recipes. Within the method, one or more point-of-sale transactions may be conducted. The transactions may involve a computer system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may store receipt data documenting the transactions. The computer system may also receive a request from the mobile computing device for one or more recipes, analyze the receipt data to identify at least one of the food patterns and food preferences of the customer, and identify one or more recipes corresponding to at least one of the food patterns and food preferences. The computer system may then pass the one or more recipes to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Techniques for negotiating with a consumer within a retail establishment are provided. A retail Point-Of-Sale (POS) system becomes aware of a consumer looking for a product and having a price comparison for other retailers for that product; the consumer is in a store of the retailer. The retailer generates one or more customized offers to compete with the other retailers and dynamically delivers those customized offers to the consumer while the consumer remains in the store in an attempt to entice the consumer to buy the product at the store.

Abstract: A method for generating a website includes obtaining a seed input associated with an entity. The seed input may include one or more keywords, such as a business name. Obtaining the seed input may include receiving the seed input from the user, or the seed input may be obtained without input from the user. The seed input is used to identify the entity. The method further includes retrieving, using at least one of the seed input and the identification of the entity, content relevant to the entity from one or more data stores. Retrieving the content may include using one or more categories relevant to the entity to identify the content. The website is generated without an input from the entity, and includes at least a portion of the content. Generating the website may include identifying a template having a plurality of content regions for containing the content.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method, system and computer program product for obtaining at least one product or service using a provider's point of sale (POS) system. The method includes placing an order for at least one product or service in the POS using a mobile device; determining a geolocation of the mobile device; placing the order into a queue in the POS system; calculating a distance between the mobile device and the POS system; determining when the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the POS system; and fulfilling the order or service when the mobile device is within the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A system has a storage bin used to hold a product and a product storage rack intended to hold the storage bin. The storage bin is provided with a near field communication (NFC) tag device and the product storage rack is provided with a NFC antenna device cooperable with the NFC tag device. The NFC antenna device and the NFC tag device are used to determine a relative position of or orientation of the storage bin relative to the product storage rack for the purpose of automatically determining if replenishment of the product within the product storage rack is required.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products f0r transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.

Abstract: An automated print and digital media and communications vending kiosk provides products for sale including printer ink cartridges, printer paper, digital media storage and other related products in a standalone unit which may be placed outside of convenience stores or other stores for convenient access by customers.

Abstract: A wallet consolidator to process a transaction and related methods, are provided. An embodiment of a wallet consolidator can include a controller to control operation of the wallet consolidator, and an input device connected to the controller and positioned to receive a copy of information. The input device, for example, can include a magnetic stripe reader/writer for reading and writing magnetic stripes, a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes, or a keypad, among others, to input user selections and commands. An embodiment of a wallet consolidator can also include a memory for storing information provided to the wallet consolidator, and an output device connected to the controller and positioned to communicate at least a portion of the information stored in the memory device to a computer device, e.g., point-of-sale terminal, dumb terminal, and/or database, located at a point-of-sale, to process a transaction.

Abstract: A method and a system for processing a transaction in a distributed electronic payment system are disclosed. The system comprises at least one point of sale terminal and at least one customer mobile terminal, each being respectively configured to communicate with at least one host terminal over a network. A machine-readable unique identifier of the at least one point of sale terminal is read by the at least one customer mobile terminal. At each of the at least one point of sale terminal and the at least one customer mobile terminal, a respective transaction request message is encoded and communicated to the at least one host terminal, which includes the unique identifier. At the least one host terminal, the respective transaction request messages are matched with the unique identifier and a payment request message is encoded and communicated to the at least one customer mobile terminal.

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.

Abstract: A mobile payment application loaded upon a user device allows a user to perform mobile payment transactions for the purchase of a product and/or service via an unattended terminal over a network. The networked unattended terminal is operationally coupled with a mechanism, such as a vending machine, for delivering the purchased product and/or service to the user.

Abstract: Techniques, a system and an article of manufacture for social network-assisted electronic payments. A method includes determining one or more members of a user's social network to query for a financial contribution towards payment of a real-time transaction between the user and a merchant, querying said one or more members in an order based on descending likelihood of member financial contribution until sufficient funds for payment of the transaction are received or all of said one or more members have been queried, and processing a money transfer from the user and/or each of said one or more members to the merchant to complete the real-time transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a user to use a single payment device in payment transactions for optimizing card rewards. Payment instruments such as credit cards, debit cards and stored value cards are associated to the user's payment device in an intermediate account. The user also provides prioritization information regarding the payment instruments. Using the prioritization information, an optimization engine then determines the optimal payment instrument for a transaction transmitted to the intermediate account.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to providing a mobile payment service without revealing an actual payment card number. User equipment may be configured to receive a set of virtual mobile payment card numbers assigned to a mobile payment card, to select one of the received virtual mobile payment card numbers based on a payment initiation time upon generation of a predetermined event, and to transmit a payment request with the selected virtual mobile payment card number and the payment initiation time to the server through at least one of a point-of-sale (POS) terminal and a value-added network (VAN) server.

Abstract: A method and system for routing transactions to a mobile-commerce platform is described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward selecting a preferred transaction application and/or routing options that are provided by a transaction card. The preference can be determined, for example, based on the lowest interchange fee, a bulk rate, and/or an incentive. In some embodiments a transaction card provides a plurality of transaction applications and/or routing options to a POS device and the POS device can communicate these options to a host processor along with transaction data. The host processor can then determine a preference associated with each of the routing options and/or transaction applications, and provide a recommendation to the POS as to which transaction application and/or routing option have preference.

Abstract: A seller's workload of managing credit card information can be reduced without changing convenience for an orderer and the seller in a transaction using a credit card. A virtual mall server (3) and a credit card server (5) share conversion information for obtaining, from actual data of the credit card, corresponding dummy data of the credit card. The virtual mall server (3) obtains, based on the conversion information, the corresponding dummy data from the actual data of the credit card to be used for a settlement of the order information, and sends the obtained dummy data to a shop terminal as data of the credit card to be used for the settlement of the order information.

Abstract: A point of sale system including at least one proxy server having an internet connection, a web browser operative to download web pages from the internet via the proxy server, and a real time user input limiting trusted computing base module communicating with the web browser and being operative to limit user input to the web pages in real time.

Abstract: A method of conveying monetary value between at least two parties, may utilize a computer system or a vending machine. A first party requests an amount of monetary value to be in one or more desired incremental monetary amounts, and provides a payment. A system administrator requests a personal identification number (PIN), which is associated, within an administrator database, with a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) that is located on one or more QwikCash tickets, which are thereby activated, and thereafter issued to the first party. The GUID is machine scannable, and each QwikCash ticket may comprise a textual reference denoting its incremental monetary amount, and a textual reference identifying issuance of the PIN. The first party may use the PIN and remit the QwikCash ticket: to a second party, as a person-to-person monetary transfer; to a merchant for making a purchase; or to a bank ATM in exchange for cash.

Abstract: A point-of-sale terminal comprises a contactless communication transceiver configured to receive an emission containing confidential information from a portable electronic device, and an enclosure having an aperture to promote at least partial insertion of the portable electronic device. The enclosure is constructed to promote substantially confining the emission within the enclosure to reduce eavesdropping on the confidential information while promoting the transceiver receiving the emission.

Abstract: A multi-account payment consolidation system and process, including a central computer system operatively coupled to a payment terminal through a network connection. A plurality of external financial accounts are registered and associated with a user. At least one user-defined customized rule-set for processing a payment associated with the user is stored. A request to initiate payment of a transaction is received from the payment terminal. The payment is automatically processed in accordance with the customized rule-set by accessing the external financial accounts, wherein the customized rule-set directs at least a rule that the payment of the transaction be apportioned between more than one of the external financial accounts.

Abstract: A method for associating a computing device of a customer with a layaway transaction corresponding to the customer is disclosed. The method may begin with a computer system initiating a layaway transaction with a customer. A point-of-sale system forming part of the computer system may then receive identification information from the customer. The customer may use the identification information to link the layaway transaction to the computing device. The computer system may then serve an electronic receipt to the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining an electronic receipt. An electronic receipt is created and stored for a transaction. The electronic receipt is updated for returns and the electronic receipt may be viewable by a user, as a number of versions of the receipt or a markup showing modifications to the transaction. To make a return, a POS may request the some or all of versions of the receipt. An item to be returned for a transaction may be evaluated with respect to the current version of the receipt to determine if the item has been previously returned. An item to be returned may be selected by a user by selecting the item on a graphical representation of the receipt displayed on the user's mobile phone or other computing device.

Abstract: A method and system for deployment variability in a Point of Sale wherein the deployment variability includes a plurality of scenarios, the deployment variability wherein in one of a scenario, a POS Till, a POS Back Office, and a POS Central Instance run in a standalone mode and in another scenario, the POS Till, the POS Back Office, and the POS Central Instance run on a n-tiered mode, based on the requirement, wherein transition from one mode to another mode does not involve complexity of data being replicated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a payment transaction between a customer and a merchant using a payment card (200) of the customer including steps of: transmitting details of the payment transaction from a mobile device (202) to a remote server; capturing at least one image of the payment card using the mobile device of the merchant; transmitting the at least one image of the payment card to the remote server; identifying, by the remote server, the merchant and the payment card captured in the at least one image; and implementing the payment transaction between bank accounts (208, 210) of the customer and the merchant

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to a transaction data capture device. Systems and methods for content printing and insertion are disclosed. Systems and methods for payment and payment data storage are disclosed. Systems and methods for extracting transaction data sent from a point of sale terminal to a peripheral are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.

Abstract: Described herein is a payment processing device for processing payment from a consumer at a merchant location using a user device, the device comprising a presence detection module configured to detect presence of the user device at the merchant location; and a checkout module configured to communicate with a backend system to verify an identity of the user device, to receive payment information from the user device, and to transmit payment information to a merchant point-of sale (POS) system.

Abstract: On receiving simplified settlement data generated form settlement data and ID data for downloading electronic-receipt data from an electronic-receipt server, both from a settlement-processing apparatus, a portable terminal records the simplified settlement data in association with the ID data. The display unit of the portable terminal displays the simplified settlement data thus recorded. The portable terminal downloads electronic-receipt data from the electronic-receipt server by using the ID data recorded in association with the simplified settlement data, when the input unit is operated, thereby commanding that the electronic receipt related to the simplified settlement data displayed by the display unit should be downloaded. The electronic-receipt data is recorded in the electronic-receipt recording unit. The display unit displays the electronic receipt on the basis the electronic-receipt data recorded in the electronic-receipt recording unit.

Abstract: A system and method including a mobile application installed on a mobile device and configured to authenticate a merchant represented by a unique identifier, determine a position of the mobile device while the mobile device is co-located with a transaction terminal of the merchant, communicate the position to a portal to associate the position with the unique identifier and to receive an account number, and provide the account number to generate an authorization request on the transaction terminal. The authorization request includes a terminal identifier of the transaction terminal. When the authorization request generated using the account number is detected, the association between the account number provided to the mobile application and the location received from the mobile application is replaced with the association between the terminal identifier extracted from the authorization request and the location.

Abstract: The present invention enables the collection by credit/debit card payment of customer co-pay and self-pay charges via an integrated point-of-service transaction management system and method. The system and method of the present invention may assist health care facilities in the collection of co-pay and self-pay charges at the time service is rendered. The present invention can be implemented anywhere cash, checks, credit cards or debit cards are accepted for payment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing mobile payments is provided. An account issuer provides an application that is loaded onto a mobile device, which enables a consumer to pay for transactions. The mobile payment application generates a unique code. The code is read by the point of sale terminal, which is then provided to the payment management system. The payment management system contracts the account issuer and authenticates the code, thereby receiving a primary account number. Account number and transaction information is used to authorize the transaction via payment systems. The payment system accepts or declines the transaction in a response. Tokens may be generated for the account number, and value added services may be generated based upon user behaviors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of geographic identification of the point of sale and of tracking of the sale of a consumer good sold by a merchant. The system comprises a bank payment network (4), a sales terminal (E1) and a first element (B1) of the bank payment network.

Abstract: Transaction processing involves receiving data from an access transaction application of a portable consumer device, wherein the received data comprises data from an access transaction data string that includes a transit verification value wherein, with the exception of the transit verification value, the access transaction data string is substantially similar to a retail data string comprising retail data, wherein the access application data string is adapted for use with an access transaction processing system and the retail data string is adapted for use with a retail processing system. The transaction processing involves processing access transaction application data for selective authorization of the transaction.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to integrating mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, etc., into a mobile retail environment commercial system. A mobile device includes a mobile store module that provides an interactive user experience that allows a traveler to browse goods or services that are available in the mobile retail environment. The device further includes a mobile store inventory records module that maintains records of goods and services that are available in each particular mobile retail environment. An update module facilitates data connectivity with a remote server to update the stored data in the mobile store inventory records module. The remote server, in turn, is communicatively coupled with a transportation service provider system, such as an airline business system that provides information on individual travelers and their itineraries. The mobile device further includes an in-flight data exchange module that facilitates interaction with a point-of-sale device.

Abstract: Vending machine circuitry adapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to provide data communications between a handheld device, preferably a wireless handheld device operated by a potential consumer, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld device providing the network communications connectivity for transmitting and receiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases, and/or servers.

Abstract: A distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system. The system can include a central database and at least one integrated POS/EAS/information terminal adapted to communicate with NFC-enabled devices, RFID and EAS tags, and the database, wherein, when a customer places an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag and proximate the terminal, the terminal facilitates a transaction for purchasing the product. The terminal can include a processor, an NFC transceiver, a UHF RFID reader, and a Bluetooth transceiver. The transaction for purchasing the product can be performed via the NFC-enabled device.

Abstract: A payment system, including: a host server; a digital wallet for storing credit of a user; a user mobile communications device for data communication with the host server; and a point-of-sale terminal operable by a vendor. The point-of-sale terminal is configured to receive purchase data indicative of a desired purchase by the user and to transmit the purchase data to the host server, the purchase data including price data, the mobile communications device is configured to receive the purchase data from the host server or from the point-of-sale terminal and to prompt the user to input user authorization, the mobile communications device is configured to receive the user authorization and in response thereto to transmit authorization data to the host server, and the host server is configured to respond to receiving the authorization data by initiating transfer of funds according to the price data from the digital wallet to a vendor account.

Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting multiple point of sale devices creating a mesh-like network structure which reduces connectivity costs while providing greater reliability due to multiple network paths is disclosed. By linking point of sale devices within a virtual network, the need for individual connections to a point of sale controller is eliminated and alternative network paths are provided, thereby ensuring maximum up-time and optimal connection speeds.

Abstract: In a method for sending a counter-offer in response to receiving an indication about a point-of-sale transaction, a computer receives from a point-of-sale program a point-of-sale transaction and an indication that the point-of-sale transaction is to be paid for utilizing a first payment option and is to be recorded using a second payment option. The computer determines that a counter-offer is appropriate. The counter-offer includes a request that the point-of-sale transaction be paid for utilizing the second payment option. The computer sends to the point-of-sale program the counter-offer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to near field communication A device may include a current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convey a current to an antenna in a first near-field communication (NFC) mode and enable for load modulation in a second NFC mode.

Abstract: A method for competing mobile payment offers includes presenting a payment request based on a purchase request to an electronic device. A transaction description based on the payment request is forwarded to one or more payment providers. One or more payment offers are received from the one or more payment providers on the electronic device. A payment method is selected for the purchase request based on the received one or more payment offers. The purchase request is completed using the selected payment method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a customer's progress through a checkout line at a store and for correlating customer satisfaction thereto. A mobile electronic device with mobile self checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer's progress through the checkout line. The software may provide detailed data about the shopping and checkout experience. This information may be correlated to customer satisfaction and used identify particular strengths and weaknesses in the shopping experience offered by a store.

Abstract: Aggregating multiple transaction protocols for transacting between a plurality of distinct payment acquiring devices and a transaction acquirer includes using a multi-protocol meta-model to consistently abstract a protocol of electronic messages received by each distinct payment acquiring device to a transaction acquirer compatible protocol and forwarding a transaction message based on the abstracted protocol and the original electronic message to a transaction acquirer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing notifications and other communications to a customer based on the customer's proximity to a checkout register at a store. A mobile electronic device with mobile self checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer's progress through the checkout line. The mobile self checkout software may present information to the customer according to the customer's position in the checkout line. The type and nature of the information presented to the customer may be changed according to the customer's distance from the checkout terminal as well as how quickly the customer is approaching the terminal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting a bill-pay/account-loading program as a “product” for sale at retailers, preferably including consumer involvement 1) in establishing a relationship with a payment facilitator and with receiving a relevant “app;” 2) in securing a barcode or other product identifier to use at a retailer to purchase a bill-pay/account loading “product,” which could be a gift card controlled by the payment facilitator; and 3) in confirming the tendering of cash or the like to a retailer, preferably based on a retailer receipt and consumer device information; alternately including consumer funding of a retailer gift card and a payment provider paying a consumer's bill using the funded gift card and settling with the retailer based on the amount in the gift card account, preferably after the provider verifying funding of the card account by accessing gift card records.

Abstract: A method and device for conducting a secure transaction, where a buyer and seller have account information on an escrow server including assigned buyer and seller account identification numbers, the buyer and seller authenticate their identities using respective devices, the seller constructs an offer template using their seller device where the offer template includes the seller account number combined with information sufficient to identify the item(s) being sold, the item(s) price and the total amount of the transaction, the buyer communicates their buyer account number to the seller device, the seller combines the buyer account number with the offer template to create a digitally signed offer which is sent to the escrow server, the escrow server then generates and communicates an escrow code to the parties, whereupon payment authorization of the escrow transaction may be completed.

Abstract: A system, to process credit card payment transactions initiated by a merchant, includes an interface to receive a merchant-initiated request for a transfer of funds from a buyer credit card account. A credit card processing application initiates the transfer of funds from the buyer credit card account to a third-party merchant bank account, held by a third-party payment service. The third-party merchant bank account receives funds from the buyer credit card account on behalf of the merchant. A funds allocation application allocates the received funds to a receiving account of the merchant, the receiving account being maintained by the third-party payment service. The credit card processing application may be virtual point of sale (POS) terminal application, hosted at a server computer system operated by the third-party payment service, and accordingly may be accessible by the merchant via a network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for motivating customer participation in an electronic receipt program. Within the method, a point-of-sale transaction may be initiated. The transaction may involve a computer system comprising a point-of-sale system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may generate receipt data documenting the transaction and deliver the receipt data to the mobile computing device in electronic format. The computer system may further determine an amount of paper saved by delivering the receipt data in electronic format rather than as a paper receipt and pass the amount to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Telematic Payment Card for use remotely with a Central Control & Processing Unit, for paying goods and services using mobile network, and transferring money between accounts remotely, enabling a payment card with monitor and keyboard to communicate banking and financial data remotely to financial institutions and payment networks via said central unit. It is able to perform Person-to-Person (P2P) payments between card holders, Person-to-Merchant (P2M), Person-to-Machine (P2Mx) or between a card holder and a bank account. It also enables payments as a normal payment card (debit, credit, pre-paid etc) using a POS (Point Of Sale) terminal at a merchant. An embodiment comprises a battery (201), a security chip (202), processor module (203), memory module (204), sound emitter (205), near filed communications (206), mobile communication module (207), connection or inductive power port (208), input means (209), indicator means (210), display/touch screen (211), antennas or data connections (212, 213).