Abstract: A method for paying invoices using a mobile device. A retail enterprise (i.e., a seller) generates an invoice for goods or services that a client (i.e., a buyer) has selected. The invoice is stored in a database of a common payment service (CPS) and the invoice number is sent to buyer's mobile phone. The buyer uses his mobile phone to access his bank account via e-commerce 3-D Secure mechanism supported by the bank. The buyer is authenticated based on a procedure used by a particular bank. If the authentication is successful, the CPS initiates a payment for the seller's invoice. The payment information is sent to the buyer's mobile phone and also is sent to the seller for confirmation of closing the transaction.

Abstract: A user can select one or more friendly funding sources to make a payment. The friendly funding sources are pre-approved by a “friend” of the user and have restrictions for use. When the user desires to make a payment, the user sees one or more friendly funding sources and can choose any combination of friendly funding sources and conventional funding sources for making the payment.

Abstract: A method of authenticating communication between a first and second device over an insecure communications network, in which the first device authenticates the second device using a communications protocol including a first communications phase through a first communications channel over the insecure communications network to establish a secure mode of communications between the first and second device, followed by a second communications phase of receiving information from the second device over a second communications channel, such as an empirical channel, and enabling a comparison between the information received from the second device with information generated by the first device thereby enabling authentication of the second device in the event of the information from both devices is consistent.

Abstract: A device (12) operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The device includes a reader (20) that is usable to read check data from financial checks. The reader is also usable to read data from invoices and other documents associated with deliveries of goods or other items. At least one processor circuit (54) of the device is operative to cause a determination to be made that invoice data corresponds to stored data associated with a purchaser to whom a delivery of goods is authorized to be made. Responsive to the determination, a check amount that is determined from read check data is added to an account of a vendor associated with delivered goods.

Abstract: Techniques and equipment for enabling a cross-channel real time awareness framework for capturing and storing transaction data in real time for a user via an interface in a first channel of an enterprise are described. The stored transaction data are made accessible to a second channel of the enterprise for processing transaction requests received from the user via an interface in the second channel, and, if desired, modify an interactive process flow associated with the interface in the second channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems to automatically respond to a request for product information are described. In one embodiment, a data collection module may collect product data, over a network, identify that the product data is related to a particular product, and store the product data and an association between the product data and the particular product in a database. An instant messaging engine may receive a request for the product data after the product data is stored in the database and an interpreter module may identify, in response to the request, the request to correspond to the particular product and retrieve the product data based on the association between the particular product and the product data. The instant messaging engine may also transmit, using an instant messaging protocol, a response to the request, the response including the product data.

Abstract: A client system of a network resource service, the network resource service administering a plurality of distributed network resources, the client system comprising: a computer processor for executing stored instructions to: receive over a proximity based wireless communication a network resource identifier of a network resource of the plurality of network resources and a service identifier of the network resource service, the service identifier defining a network address of the network resource service on a communications network configured for non-proximity based communication; and transmit application data to the network resource addressed to the network address on the communications network for subsequent processing by the network resource.

Abstract: A card reader for a point-of-sale system that is configured to accept both magnetic strip-type and integrated circuit (IC) chip-type payment cards. The card reader is a component of a point-of-sale system including a portable computing device in communication with the card reader that is configured to present a first graphical user interface (GUI) when a magnetic stripe-type card is detected and a second GUI when an IC chip-type card is detected in the card reader. The card reader comprises a slot configured to receive the payment card, a magnetic reading device and an IC chip reading device. The card reader also includes a discriminator contact disposed within the slot that is configured to conduct across a surface of a metal pad of the IC chip-type card prior to the CI chip reading device making contact with the IC chip.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an information processing apparatus and the like capable of, even when an initial application cannot be accepted, presenting an alternative to the application to an applicant so that the applicant can easily apply the alternative. When the contents of an initial application are grasped from received transmission data and it is judged that the application cannot be accepted, reply data containing transmission destination information capable of identifying an alternative to the application is created and the created reply data is transmitted to the transmission source of the transmission data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory data storage media are provided for secured communications where biometrics are used to secure communications sent over a data communication path. A sender of a secured communication may identify one or more biometrics required from a recipient before the recipient is allowed to interpret, read, view, or listen to the communication. Communications secured by the present invention may include email, text messages, iMessages, files, links, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), videos, photos, attachments, or other forms of electronic data or media communications.

Abstract: The principles set forth herein describe building a product finder. One aspect comprises receiving a request at a computing device to develop a product finder for a specified product category; receiving input at the computing device to configure the product finder, the input comprising data representing product information associated with the specified product category; developing, via a processor accessible by the computing device, the product finder based on an existing template, wherein developing the product finder based on the existing template reduces writing of computer code; and utilizing the input to customize the product finder. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method including receiving, from a mobile device, a payment method and a payment amount. The method also can include validating the payment amount. The method further can include generating a gift card for the payment amount. The gift card can include a gift card identifier. The method additionally can include sending the gift card identifier to the mobile device. The method further can include displaying the gift card identifier on the mobile device. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A method and system is presented which provides a TDM framework for managing self-describing measurement data. The TDM framework provides applications with a central platform for accessing measurement data across an entire enterprise system. By means of individual plug-ins, which may be specific to a given data file format, meta-data for each data store in the enterprise may be indexed in a unified manner. The unified indexing, in turn, provides the ability to browse and query the indexed measurement data without requiring the opening or reading from a source data file.

Abstract: A social networking system includes a question and answer system that displays to a viewing user questions and answers provides by other users of the social networking system. The question and answer system may display answers to a particular question in a way that visually indicates both the global answer set and a subset of the global answer set, such as the viewing user's friends. The social networking system may also display to a viewing user news stories about another user asking or answering a question, where the format of the displayed new stories is based on an affinity that the viewing user has for the user who provided the question or answer mentioned in the news story. The displayed questions and/or answers may be associated with an object in the social networking system, where the user interface provides additional information about those objects.

Abstract: An electronic commerce (e-commerce) system may send advertisement emails to customers that are registered with the e-commerce system. The advertisement emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink may be associated with a product that is being offered for sale, and each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to the product associated with the hyperlink, such as an identifier of the product. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the e-commerce system. The e-commerce system may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, execute a transaction to purchase the identified product on behalf of the customer.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies pertaining to presenting a map to a user that comprises graphical icons that are representative of retail stores. The user has provided a shopping list, wherein the shopping list includes a plurality of products that are desirably purchased by the user. Inventories of retail stores in a geographic region of interest to the user are searched, and a map is generated that includes graphical icons representative of the retail stores, data that indicates that product(s) in the shopping list are available at the retail stores, and price data that indicates prices of product(s) in the shopping list at the respective retail stores.

Abstract: A system including: a memory element for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP); an interface element for receiving, from a wireless communications device (WCD), a first portion of an order; and a processor for generating, using the AIP, an offer in response to items or services in the first portion of the order. The interface element is for transmitting the offer to the WCD and receiving, from the WCD, a second portion of the order. The processor is for modifying, using the AIP, the offer in response to items or services in the first and second portions of the order by adding or modifying items, services, or incentives. The interface element is for transmitting the modified offer to the wireless communications network for transmission to the WCD.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, including receiving information regarding a transaction involving an individual and involving an account, wherein the information regarding the transaction is received by a receiver prior to a processing, a completion, a consummation, or a cancellation, of the transaction, processing the information regarding the transaction with a processing device, generating a report or a message in response to the processing of the information regarding the transaction, wherein the report or the message contains information regarding a charge-back regarding a previous transaction involving the individual, and transmitting the report or the message to a communication device associated with a merchant, vendor, or provider, of a good, product, or service.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communications system by receiving, at an instant messaging host, a video file from a sender and intended for a recipient; authenticating the video file; and sending the video file to the intended recipient.

Abstract: An electronic commerce (e-commerce) system may send advertisement emails to customers that are registered with the e-commerce system. The advertisement emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to a donation that be made by the customer to a non-profit organization. For example, the generated email message may include a customer identifier, and/or one or more parameters that indicate the non-profit to which a donation should be made, and an amount to be donated. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the e-commerce system. The e-commerce system may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, communicate with a payment processing system to perform the donation indicated in the message.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for facilitating commerce between accounts of individual client computing devices with preexisting relationship and more particularly, a system and a method that provides a host computing platform to enable related client accounts of client computing devices to transact products, with an embodiment of the present invention associating the host computing platform with a network-based social-media platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating payment at checkout are described. A service provider collects and stores user preference information in advance of checkout. When the user is ready to pay, a code containing the user preferences is generated and presented to a merchant during checkout. User preferences can be matched to a merchant data request once the merchant is identified. Specific user preferences for specific merchants can also be stored and retrieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for facilitating collaborative shopping. Notifications may be sent to remote devices in response to a shopper's device entering a store or within a given proximity to a store. Notifications may invoke or include an interface to add items to a shared shopping list. Notifications from the shopper's device may be sent in advance of a user entering a store to alert friends and family to add items to the shared shopping list. A remote device may be used to authorize and instruct the shopper's device to pick up items that have been previously purchased either automatically or in response to an input from a user of the remote device. Authorization to pick up the previously-purchased item may be transmitted to one or both of a merchant and the shopper's device.

Abstract: The disclosed computer system facilitates the matching of prospective borrowers in real estate transactions with mortgage professionals that arrange mortgages and/or financing. Borrowers and mortgage professionals may access the system via a website to execute searches and/or to register and update their profiles. Information relating to borrowers and/or mortgage professionals is stored in a database component of the disclosed system. In one embodiment, prospective borrowers interested in buying or refinancing a specific property may discover mortgage professionals that have previously worked with that property. In another embodiment, the system matches borrowers and mortgage professionals based on pre-selected criteria. In another embodiment, the system automatically matches borrowers and mortgage professionals based on information from their profiles.

Abstract: An online purchase transaction system facilitates commencement, listing, selection, negotiation, documenting, closing and recording of complex transactions. The system allows for completion of transactions, such as commencement of a real estate listing through transfer with minimal or no direct third-party human intervention, thus maximizing cost savings and minimizing time to complete a transaction. Interaction through third party agencies, such as escrow companies, title companies, insurance companies and recording entities, is further facilitated in a fully or largely automated processing system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cloud service broker apparatus and method for providing a cloud service using the broker apparatus, which provide an optimal cloud service for a cloud service user through negotiations between the cloud service user and a cloud service provider. The cloud service broker apparatus includes an operation information management unit for examining a demand entered by a cloud service user. A broker intermediary unit detects a cloud service based on the demand for which verification has been completed by the operation information management unit, and sends a request for positioning of the cloud service for the cloud service user to a cloud service provider that provides the detected cloud service. A life cycle management unit monitors a cloud service positioned in and used by the cloud service user at a request of the broker intermediary unit.

Abstract: A method comprises storing, in a database, a posting at least comprising a listing of a property being offered for lease, terms of the lease, and information regarding an agent providing the posting. The posting to be viewed by a user is retrieved from the database. A proffer for the property being submitted by the user and at least information regarding the user is stored in the database. The agent is notified of the proffer. The proffer and the user information to be viewed by at least the agent is retrieved from the database. A non-binding decision by the agent regarding the proffer stored in the database. The user is notified of the non-binding decision wherein a negotiation of a binding decision is enabled.

Abstract: A method for recommending a first member of a trading network to a second member of a trading member of the network, wherein the network includes a message translation system, a pattern recognition engine and a discovery portal. The method for recommending includes identifying a first plurality of trading parameters of the first member with the message translation system and identifying a second plurality of trading parameters of the second member with the message translation system. The method also includes identifying patterns that are related between the first plurality of trading parameters and the second plurality of trading parameters with the pattern recognition engine and sending a recommendation message to the second member regarding the first member based on the identified patterns that relate the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A system and methods using applications for payment of goods and/or services based on verifying whether geographic information received from an electronic device with the app corresponds with geographic information from a registered location. A processing center executes a default action when the geographic information so corresponds, and in one embodiment, the default action is to complete the transaction.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide an internet-based virtual travel system and method that allows people (viewers or virtual travelers) to explore any destination or location in real-time without having to be physically present at those destinations or locations by means of other people (serving as guides or virtual travel guides) who are physically present at the destinations or locations and use one or more mobile devices and/or wearable devices and/or accessories to stream real-time video.

Abstract: A customer management device for managing states of customers visiting a commercial establishment that provides articles or services to the customers in response to orders from the customers, includes: a first image obtainer that obtains customer images of customers captured at some point from when the customers enter the commercial establishment till when the customers go through reception procedures; a second image obtainer that obtains customer images of customers captured at least either when the customers receive the articles or services or when the customers make payment; a customer information manager that, based on the customer images obtained by the first image obtainer and the second image obtainer, generates and manages customer information relating to customers in a state of waiting for provision of the articles or services; and a customer information provider that provides a user with the customer information managed by the customer information manager.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for financier-facilitated guaranty provisioning. For certain example embodiments, at least one device, such as a server device of a financier: (i) may discover at least one authorization request corresponding to at least one product transaction; or (ii) may provide at least one proffered guaranty transaction to at least one guarantor. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for supporting guaranty provisioning via user attribute proffering. For certain example embodiments, at least one device, such as a server device of a data provider: (i) may detect one or more opportunities to proffer at least one user attribute to at least one potential guarantor; or (ii) may proffer at least one user attribute based at least partially on at least one data stream. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for generating an aggregated group profile of access terminal users in an identified geographic region (e.g., at an entertainment venue). A group profile request may be received for a set of mobile access terminal users in the identified geographic region. User profile information may be requested for each of the users. User profiles may be aggregated to generate an aggregated group profile. The aggregated group profile may be distributed (e.g., for use in selecting advertisements at an entertainment venue to reflect the users currently in attendance).

Abstract: Systems and methods of assisting in an electronic shopping experience are disclosed. A request may be received, from a user on a device having a user interface, to search for an item listed for sale in a marketplace. A balance amount of an account associated with or available to the user at the marketplace is displayed in the user interface. The search results are limited to at least one item having a sales price less than the displayed balance amount and the at least one item is displayed in the user interface. The account may be a user account at a payment service provider.

Abstract: Computing systems, methods, and program products can support a closed retail network. A computing system can receive an inquiry from a first member entity of a retail network and identifying a product of interest. The system can use a datastore to determine if the product of interest is available for sale by a first member by determining if the product is available from a second member. If the product of interest is available for sale, the computing system can indicate that the product is available, receive data from the first member entity indicating that the product has been sold to a customer and including payment information, use the payment information to transfer funds from the customer, and initiate a distribution of the transferred funds to the first and second member entities. The system may consider distribution rules in determining if the product is available for sale by the first member.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for duration and access based selling of products. Hypervertical is a concept of offering products for sale through specific channels for specific time periods. An online selling entity creates an online sales event offering products for sale. The online sales event is valid for a predefined duration. While the online sales event is active, access to the products are provided exclusively through the online sales event. However, upon expiry of the online sales event, which causes the online sales event to be deleted and access to the products be revoked, the access to the products is provided through third-party applications, such as search results of a search engine, social networking sites, other third-party websites. The third-party applications present the products as, for example, advertisements, accessing which the user can navigate to the online selling entity to view or purchase the products.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a global merchant network are provided. In some embodiments, a global merchant network can be established for enabling items offered in a first geographic region by one party to be offered in a different geographic region by a different party. For example, the global merchant network may facilitate or otherwise enable two merchants associated with two different marketplaces (e.g., different electronic marketplaces that service different geographic regions) to provide items from one marketplace to another.

Abstract: Communications between participants over a communications link are proxied by an intermediary, such as an Integrated Order Mechanism (IOM). Participants interact with each other through the IOM. The IOM may be transparent to the participants such that they are not aware that the IOM is involved in processing communications. For example, in the context of a transaction by a customer making a purchase from a merchant over the Internet, the IOM facilitates the processing of transactions by processing requests from both the customer and the merchant. Neither the customer nor the merchant may be aware that the transactions are being handled by the IOM. Transactions may be tracked using addresses in a communications network. Address identifiers may be used to reduce the size of the addresses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mediation of online trading services are provided. Supplemental content related to a content title may be listed in a market or store for content. A client device sends a mediated communication to a trading server; the mediated communication may include mediation data and a request concerning the transfer of supplemental content. A user account associated with the client device is identified and the supplemental content may then be assigned to the user account. A report regarding activity associated with the assignment of the supplemental content may be generated in accordance with mediation data.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for real estate business collaboration and growth. A real estate business system includes a lead generation module, collaboration module, and paperless office module for integrating various features together to advance one or more real estate transactions. Lead generation module facilitates the generation of leads for real estate transactions. Lead generation module has a property syndication tool, squeeze pages tool, follow-up sequences tool, lead pipes tool, property launch template tool, and other tools. Collaboration module facilitates transactions among users and/or third parties, as well as tracks the progression of activities throughout the life cycle of a real estate transaction. Collaboration module includes a suitability matching tool, linking tool, and other collaboration tools.

Abstract: Disclosed system, method and related apparatus are described for the management and operation of channel partners relationship and sales transactions in a distributed computing environment over the network, such as the Internet or other type of network. The disclosed system and method allows centered management of complex parties including inter and intra sales parties. An exemplary system implementation includes a party management module for managing and developing party relationships and event management module for generating a plurality sets of events and associated triggered programs. A channel commerce module of the disclosed system provides channel transaction related accounting based on the event and the relationship between the parties including commission calculation and distribution.

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: Techniques described herein may provide for end-to-end integration of business systems used in the sale and fulfillment flow for products provided by a business. In one implementation, a method may include receiving a request for a contract relating to products and services offered by a business; and transmitting a message, to one or more workers, indicating that the one or more first workers are to generate the contract. The method may further include receiving the generated contract from the one or more workers; transmitting, in response to reception of a signed version of the contract, a message initiating order fulfillment for the products and services to which the contract relates; determining, as part of the order fulfillment, a plurality of work orders corresponding to the products and services to which the contract relates, and issuing the plurality of work orders to a plurality of provisioning departments of the business.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for generating new product codes from text associated with an affiliate website. In one scenario, a keyword list is automatically created from text associated with the affiliate website. Using the automatically identified keyword list, an online search of a Vendor Website is performed to retrieve downloadable product codes of currently offered items for sale. A large number of product codes are displayed simultaneously to enable a user to select a subset of product codes which the user wishes to have displayed on the affiliate website. A unique identification code to track payment of commissions in at least the subset of product codes is inserted. The subset of product codes is stored such that the subset of product codes will be displayed along with the content associated with the affiliate website when a visitor links to the affiliate website.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a property sharing platform. The platform may be configured to create, based on data received from an owner, a listing for a parking space and publish the listing. Then, the platform may receive search parameters from requestors seeking to temporary share the parking space. The platform may filter a plurality of published listings based on the search parameters and display the filtered plurality of listings to requestor. When a requester selects a listing, the platform may display data associated with the selected listing. The platform may further enable the requestor to bid on the parking space. The owner of the parking space may receive the bid and choose to accept the bid. The platform may then be configured facilitate a financial transaction between the requestor, the owner, and, in some instances, a charity of the owner's choice.

Abstract: Global shoppers may access numerous predetermined online shopping websites. Users can shop normally and can generate a third-party cart. Foreign shipping addresses and foreign payment types may be accepted.

Abstract: An independently operated computer-controlled transactional method and system for facilitating sales, rentals, promotion, streaming content, bartering and exchange of digital and/or physical products and/or services between a property owner and one or more web stores is described. It embodies business methods that are necessary to conduct commerce on a local, regional and international level over the Internet or computer networks that are interconnected through communication links, by packaging, warehousing and delivering digital and/or physical products and/or services of an owner of such products and/or services and parties distributing to end users.

Abstract: A method for transaction authorization with the use of a mobile phone, comprising the steps of receiving (102, 202) from the user (UR), by the communication server (CS) a voice call establishment request, to establish a voice connection to a telephone number which identifies a transaction; authorize the transaction by verifying (112, 206) the credentials of the user (UR); accepting (106, 214) or rejecting (108, 216) the voice call; sending a request (116, 220) to the user (UR) to enter necessary transaction parameters; entering (118, 222) the requested transaction parameters; verifying (120, 224), by the authorization system (AS), the validity of the entered parameter; determining (122, 226) whether the user (UR) has entered all necessary transaction parameters, including user's authorization to fund the transaction and, preferably, a password authorizing the transaction; accepting the transaction funding by the transaction party responsible for it (124, 228), and, if the amount has been accepted, sending a m