Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20090248524 | Systems, methods and apparatus for the display of advertisements in a software application - Systems, methods and apparatus facilitating the display of advertisements in a software application in general, but more particularly in a computer program permitting people to write, edit or view digital documents, hereafter referred to as “Document Templates Software”. Advertisements shown to users can be targeted based on user profile and document properties. In one embodiment, a Document Templates Software can embed an office suite application (such as Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect Office or OpenOffice.org). In a second embodiment, the Document Templates Software can also function as a stand-alone application that incorporates a built-in document editor module. In a third embodiment, the Document Templates Software can be a plug-in to an office suite application. Finally, in a fourth embodiment, an office suite application could comprise a built-in Document Templates Software module or feature. | 10-01-2009 |
20090259544 | System And Method For Providing Short Message Targeted Advertisements Over A Wireless Communications Network - A method and system for providing targeted advertisement information to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to advertise on certain wireless communications devices that are in close proximity to the advertiser. As a consumer enters a cell site that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message to the wireless device that is specified by the local advertiser. An acknowledgement signal is then received by the network, and the local advertiser's account is charged for transmission of the advertisement. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more demographic codes, and users of wireless communications device select from one more demographic codes to describer their advertisement preferences. Messages to be transmitted to particular wireless communications devices are selected based upon both the location information and the demographics codes that are associated with the messages. | 10-15-2009 |
20090276298 | Community virtual network operator - A virtual network operator without leasing bandwidths is built with subscribers paying their bandwidths, using installed customer premise equipments as the main part of its infrastructure. These CPEs work together in a P2P manner so that self-sustaining services can be offered without an operator, with only collaborating subscribers forming a community. While the subscriber pays an amount approximating (either above or below) the cost of the installed CPE associated with the operator, the operator provides a plurality and a range of free and fee-based services either directly or through a third party vendor. A preferred CPE is a personal infotainment center device that enables personalized multimedia services such as video conferencing and a plurality of multimedia functions and services. The operator receives revenues from targeted and non-targeted advertisement, e-commerce of all sorts, and the provision of content. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276299 | INCENTIVE-BASED WASTE REDUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - An incentive-based waste reduction system and method thereof are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an incentive-based waste reduction system comprises a collection means comprising at least a load-determining device, the collection means for obtaining a quantifiable measure of waste material from an entity, a value associated with the quantifiable measure of waste material, an adjustment factor for adjusting the value associated with the quantifiable measure of waste material, determined from an algorithm, the algorithm taking as an input at least a predetermined factor, a credit value associated with at least a quantifiable measure of deposited waste material, and a reward value associated with the credit value. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276300 | Network Systems and Methods Utilizing Mobile Devices to Enhance Consumer Experience - Network systems and methods for utilizing mobile devices to enhance customer experiences are disclosed herein. A first aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a membership to a membership program and subsequently access benefits of the membership program via a mobile device. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to redeem coupons for sales transactions via a mobile device. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to acquire a map including the location of requested items. Another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to search for an item and in response receive the availability and in some instances a map location of the requested item. Yet another aspect of the present invention facilitates a customer to pay for item using a remote charging method. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281881 | POINT CALCULATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING POINTS - An object is to restrict the giving of points according to an object of payment for which payment was made with electronic money. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281882 | Online Educational Trust Creation and Management - A system and method for creating and administering trusts over the Internet is disclosed. A grantor accesses a website over the Internet that is served by a trust account administration server, through which the grantor can fund the trust by way of an online payment or charge. The server checks the identity and creditworthiness of the grantor, and then establishes a trust account. The trustee and beneficiary of the trust are electronically notified of the trust. Through authorization of the trustee, tax information and returns may be filed electronically from the trust account administration server, and financial institution accounts can be established and managed. The trust account administration server can also electronically notify the beneficiary of any demand rights that arise for gifts to the trust, and can permit distributions of the gifts if exercised. The beneficiary can also set up a family home page, and solicit contributions from friends, family, and other parties, for example on gift-giving events. The trust can include educational accounts, such as Qualified Tuition Plan and Educational Individual Retirement Account accounts. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287552 | System and method for playing sweepstakes games - Systems and methods for promoting a business with sweepstakes games and for playing sweepstakes games that allows a user to access or consume computer-based services while simultaneously playing sweepstakes games. | 11-19-2009 |
20090299831 | ADVERTISER MONETIZATION MODELING - Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and system for modeling advertiser monetization. The claimed subject matter provides a method and system from which an advertisement may be evaluated according to various metrics to determine a quality relative to other advertisements. The relative quality considers the content of the advertisement, the performance of the advertisement and the history of the advertiser's bidding behavior. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299832 | METHOD TO VERIFY INTEGRITY OF PROMOTIONAL BILLING DATA WHILE PRESERVING PRIVACY - Systems and methods are described that facilitate capturing promotional information details such as the number of promotional material items printed for a given vendor supported by a marketing agency, item size, placement details, price, and authentication information to prove that a print log or summary is genuine. The authentication information can include a timestamp, printer identity, job identity and run-length. This information is summarized in a message digest and is signed by the printing system using digital signatures, which are then verified by the marketing agency through a public key counterpart of a private key used to generate the signatures. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299833 | Messaging Gaming Patrons - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes monitoring game play information transmitted from a gaming device to a server. The monitored information specifies a gaming patron's interactions with the gaming device. The method also includes recording, in a data store of the server, player information comprising the game play information for the gaming patron and a communication device identifier that specifies a communication device associated with the gaming patron. The method includes generating at the server an electronic message that includes one or more offers personalized for the gaming patron based on the recorded player information and transmitting, using a messaging interface, the electronic message to the communication device specified by the communication device identifier. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299834 | Dynamic time-of-purchasing-decision incentive system and method - A system and method that provides suppliers or sellers with a competitive opportunity to influence consumers at the precise moment a purchasing decision is being made. A consumer using a personal wireless device ( | 12-03-2009 |
20090307066 | COUPON DISPENSING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A coupon dispensing system is provided, and includes a plurality of dispensing devices located in retail establishments, wherein each dispensing device includes a kiosk unit. The kiosk unit includes a processing unit, a touch screen display, a modem and/or network connection, and a storage device. Also provided is a control system capable of exchanging information with the dispensing devices, wherein the control system includes software operable to maintain library of coupon offerings, send coupon offering information to dispensing devices, collect and operate on data received from coupon dispensing devices, provide a web interface accessible over the Internet to provide for viewing of selected dispensing system data. Also provided is a coupon offering authoring tool to prepare coupon offering data to be used to display coupon offerings by the dispensing devices. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307067 | LOCATION BASED COUPON DELIVERY SYSTEM | 12-10-2009 |
20090313097 | System and Method for Advertisers to Bid on Distributing Ads to Telephone Calling Parties - A system and method of advertising to telephones may include enabling an advertiser to submit a bid for airtime to present an advertisement to callers who call one or more telephone numbers. A bid may be received from the advertiser to advertise to callers who place calls to the one or more telephone numbers. In response to callers placing telephone calls to the telephone number(s), the advertisement may be presented to the callers. The number of advertisements presented to callers may be counted and used for billing the advertiser. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313098 | Network Based Energy Preference Service for Managing Electric Vehicle Charging Preferences - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product is provided for managing network based preferences associated with charging transactions for electric vehicles. The network based energy preference service receives an identification of a principal associated with a first computing device using a network connection. The network based energy preference service receives a selection of preferences from the principal associated with the first computing device over the network connection to form a set of preferences for the principal. In response to receiving a request for a subset of preferences from the set of preferences for the principal from a preference requesting service, the network based energy preference service retrieves the subset of preferences from the set of preferences by the network based energy preference service and sends the subset of preferences to the preference requesting service. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319348 | MOBILE COMPUTING SERVICES BASED ON DEVICES WITH DYNAMIC DIRECTION INFORMATION - Direction based pointing services are enabled for a portable electronic device including a positional component for receiving positional information as a function of a location of the portable electronic device, a directional component that outputs direction information as a function of an orientation of the portable electronic device and a location based engine that processes the positional information and the direction information to determine points of interest relative to the portable electronic device as a function of at least the positional information and the direction information. A set of scenarios with respect to non-movable endpoints of interest in the system emerge and these scenarios and other embodiments are described in more detail below. | 12-24-2009 |
20090327055 | Dynamically Rearranging and Deploying Advertising Selection Logic - A method and system for deploying and customizing advertisement selection logic without requiring a shutdown and/or restart of system resources. A first arrangement of advertisement logic may include filters to be executed in a pipeline model. A second arrangement of advertisement selection logic may be determined based at least in part on information received. Alternatively, the second arrangement of advertisement selection logic may be automatic based at least in part on statistics or defined hints. The second arrangement of advertisement selection logic may be implemented using different filters or rearranged filters in an updated pipeline model. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327056 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISING ON A NETWORK - A system for advertising to an end user in a computer network is provided. The system includes a server configured to transmit instructions to a client application to display an advertisement and a call-to-action for a reward in proximity to each other. The system is further configured to receive a response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user, and to transmit instructions to the client application to display an indication of a reward. A reward log database is provided in communication with the server. The reward log database is configured for logging the response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user. Methods for advertising and conveying a message, and a client application program product are also provided. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004984 | TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCT/SERVICE COUPON CODES - A device receives an advertisement, a code, an encryption key, and information associated with a product and/or service, and provides the advertisement to a set-top box (STB) for display on a television. The device receives, from the STB, a request for a promotion associated with the advertisement and an identification associated with the STB, and provides the code associated with the product and/or service to the STB for display on the television. The device receives, from a user device, a claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB, and validates the claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB based on an identification associated with the user device. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004985 | Incentive structure for centralized trading market - An automated marketplace is separated into tiers, with behavioral requirements for each tier. Tier eligibility is a “structural incentive” for market participants to exhibit desirable behavior and eschew undesirable behavior. Tiered eligibility also reflects the natural imbalance of liquidity in the market and the need to preserve the identity of a class of liquidity providers, which further leads to a structure that can preserve the integrity of person-to-person trading relationships even in an automated environment. Within each tier, participant behavior leads to a ranking for that participant. When specific events occur, these events are allocated based on participant ranking. Participant ranking is an “activity incentive” that influences the behavior of market participants. Certain events are defined as desirable or undesirable, and when performed by a market participant, lead to positive incentives or negative incentives, of structural and/or monetary type. | 01-07-2010 |
20100017276 | SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MANAGING AND TRACKING RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS - A system, computer program product for managing and tracking recyclable products. The computer program product includes computer codes for uniquely associating one or more recyclable products with unique identifiers and other product information stored in a database, receiving tracking information associated with the one or more recyclable products, periodically storing and updating the tracking information in the database, associating the unique identifier with a recycling user having user account information stored in the database, updating the reward total based on a recycling activity of the recycling user, and updating the reward total based on a recycling activity of the recycling user. Each recyclable product includes indicia that is both a unique scannable identifier and a visual indicator that the recyclable product is recyclable. The visual indicator is arranged to encourage recycling. The tracking information includes information scanned at one or more stages of the lifecycle of the one or more recyclable products. The user account information includes user information including a reward total and recycling data associated with the recycling user. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017277 | System and Method for Electronic Coupon Service Using Smart Card - The present invention provides a system and method for an electronic coupon service using a smart card, which can prevent illegal use of electronic coupons and can identify information about service in real time. The method includes the steps of: issuing, by an electronic coupon server, an electronic coupon to an authenticated user smart card at the request of a user who wants the electronic coupon to be issued; distributing, by a service terminal, the electronic coupon, which has been issued by the electronic coupon server, to the user smart card when the user smart card is inserted into the service terminal; and transferring, by the service terminal, the electronic coupon stored in the user smart card to a service provider smart card at the time of providing the service by the service provider, and provides an electronic coupon service system using the smart card, which can achieve the method. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023386 | SOCIAL NETWORKING PLATFORM FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSETS - A subscription social networking platform for the purchase and sale of IP assets between two subscribers includes an e-commerce platform, content analysis engine and database for storing vendible IP assets loaded by the subscribers. The content analysis engine determines the category of IP asset being loaded into the database. Any subsequent dialogue between any two subscribers about a particular category of IP asset will cause a search engine to search the database for relevant IP assets in that category for placement on a negotiation list. The two subscribers can thereafter negotiate the sale and purchase of the IP asset in a secure manner. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036717 | Dynamic Information System - A method for presenting dynamic advertising comprises providing an advertising presentation device; regularly receiving electronic context data related to the advertising presentation device; on the basis of the context data, automatically generating context-based advertising; and causing the advertising presentation device to present the context-based advertising. The method is useful in particular for mobile advertising presentation devices, as it enables advertising to be dynamically generated based on regularly received context data such as presentation device location, date/time, user input at the advertising presentation device. Increased relevance of the advertisement to the observer is therefore provided. A system for presenting dynamic advertisements comprises an advertising presentation device; a controller in communications with the advertising presentation device, the controller for: regularly receiving electronic context data related to the advertising presentation device; automatically generating context-based advertising on the basis of the context data; and causing the advertising presentation device to present the context-based advertising. | 02-11-2010 |
20100049598 | REMOTELY ACTIVATABLE CARDS - An economic stimulus system includes a central server communicatively coupled to a communication network and operable to compose a coupon and/or a postage assembly. A first network connection communicatively couples a first merchant to the central server and is operable to permit the first merchant to select consumer-coupon criteria for inclusion on a first coupon as part of the assembly. Additional network connections communicatively couple additional merchants to the central server permit the additional merchants to select consumer-coupon criteria for inclusion on additional coupons that will be part of the assembly. An assembly printer receives instructions from the central server and prints the assembly in response to the instructions, with the assembly printed including at least one activation code and at least the first and second coupons and providing an indication of being in an inactivated state. A third network connection communicatively couples a consumer to the central server and transmits the at least one activation code to the central server. The central server is operable to transmit an activation instruction to any of the merchants and place the assembly in an activated state. | 02-25-2010 |
20100057544 | RENEWABLE ENERGY EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER GROUP DISCOUNTING - A centralized server managed by an employer receives reports of renewable energy generation from many remote generation sites belonging to its employees, and then summarizes and details the generation for certification by a certifying standards process. Renewable energy power generation monitors are placed at independent remote locations owned by the employees that collectively report to the server any fractional units of renewable energy power generation represented in aggregate by particular REC's traded on the e-trading platform. And, an ad-hoc sellers consortium automatically aggregates fractional and small units of REC's into marketable lots according to individual preferences of participating small sellers, and the marketable lots of REC's are offered for sale on the e-trading platform. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063872 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING A BARCODE REPRESENTING A PLURALITY OF COUPONS - Generating a barcode representing a plurality of coupons and initiating a transmission of the barcode to a barcode display device by receiving a first request from a user for a first coupon at the server, generating a new barcode, associating the barcode with the user, receiving a second request for a second coupon, associating the first coupon and the second coupon with the barcode, and initiating a transmission of the barcode to a barcode display device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100070350 | DYNAMIC PRICING FOR CONTENT PRESENTATIONS - A request for content is received. First content is selected for the request. The first content is selected from among multiple content items based on information in the request, a characteristic of how the first content is to be presented, and a stored pricing threshold value selected based on the characteristic. The characteristic of how the first content is to be presented includes an amount of available space that is occupied by the first content when the first content is presented. The selected first content is provided for presentation by a publisher that provides second content. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070351 | ELECTRONIC ADVERTISEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM USING ADVERTISEMENT INTERMEDIATION SITE - The present invention is related to an electronic advertisement method using an advertisement intermediation site, comprising: registering an electronic ad of a sponsor with an adidentifier of the electronic ad on the advertisement intermediation site; distributing the registered electronic ad to a text writing area of other site with attaching a distributoridentifier when a distributor member distributes the registered electronic ad to said other site including at least one text writing area; monitoring distribution status, exposure number and click number of the distributed electronic ad using the adidentifier and the distributoridentifier so as to calculate an advertising result; and rewarding the distributor member with a portion of an advertising cost paid by the sponsor as a first advertising fee based on the advertising result of the distributor member. According to the present invention, anybody using the network environment regardless of owning a site can distribute electronic ads to arbitrary sites that allow the text writing so as to positively participate in advertising and take a reward for the distribution activity. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070352 | Consumer incentive system and method - A method and system to enhance the relationship between a manufacturer and a consumer includes offering the consumer who is purchasing at least one of a product of the manufacturer an opportunity to invest in and profit from the future success of the manufacturer in exchange for all or a part of a manufacturer's incentive for purchasing the at least one product. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070353 | Method and System for Sponsoring Recipients of Humanitarian Aid - A method and system for sponsorship of a recipient by a distributor in an MLM system for purposes of providing humanitarian aid. In the method, a multi-level distribution system is provided. A plurality of distributors markets and sells a product or service to consumers through the multi-level distribution system. A first goal is defined for a distributor in the multi-level distribution system. In addition, a pool of recipients is provided. The pool of recipients receives humanitarian aid, in part based on the actions by distributors in the multi-level distribution system. It is determined when the distributor achieves the first goal. Upon achieving the first goal, a recipient is assigned to the distributor. Sponsorship of the recipient by the distributor is provided. Specifically, sponsorship allows the recipient to receive humanitarian aid, as long as the distributor satisfies conditions of the first goal. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076825 | CHARGE/DISCHARGE CONTROL APPARATUS - A charge/discharge control apparatus includes: a charge/discharge reward information receiving unit for receiving charge/discharge reward information representing a reward given to a charge/discharge action of a customer and a restriction in conducting a charging/discharging from a charge management central server; a computing unit for creating a charge/discharge plan including a total charging quantity in a time zone and an estimated use start time of an electric vehicle such that a reward is maximized, based on the charge/discharge reward information; a charge/discharge instruction transmitting unit for instructing the electric vehicle to start or finish a charging/discharging according to the charge/discharge plan; a charge/discharge quantity monitoring unit for monitoring the charging/discharging; and a charge/discharge results transmitting unit for transmitting results of monitored charging/discharging including contents of the conducted charging/discharging and individual identification information for identifying itself, to a charge management central server. | 03-25-2010 |
20100094689 | Method, System, and Graphical User Interface For Coupon or Advertisement Delivery - A method, system, and graphical user interface for delivering coupons when a user of a mobile communication device sends an electronic message and is waiting for an electronic message delivery confirmation is described. At a server, an electronic message is received from a mobile communication device. The server forwards the electronic message to a server associated with a recipient of the electronic message. The server causes concurrent display of an electronic message delivery progress message and a coupon at the mobile communication device. In response to receiving an acknowledgement from the server associated with the recipient of the electronic message that the electronic message has been stored for the recipient, the server causes display of a delivery completion message at the mobile communication device that the electronic message has been delivered. | 04-15-2010 |
20100106568 | Offer Management System and Methods for Targeted Marketing Offer Delivery System - A system and methods for an offer management system for use in delivering targeted marketing offers to consumers during a session with an online (web-based) Internet portal, such as an online banking portal of a financial institution. A component receives aggregated transaction data from a financial transaction system for use in creation of an advertising campaign. A component provides a marketing campaign interface that allows advertisers to define an advertising campaign by display of information derived from the aggregated transaction data indicating potential market segments defined by the advertiser, define a predetermined market segment, and define a predetermined targeted marketing offer for delivery to consumers under predetermined conditions. A component outputs the campaign data to the financial institution for delivery of the targeted marketing offer to consumers within the predetermined market segment in response to the predetermined conditions during online sessions with the portal. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106569 | System and Methods for Offer Realization and Redemption in a Targeted Marketing Offer Delivery System - A system and methods for offer realization and redemption in a system involving delivery of targeted marketing offers to consumers during a session with an online (web-based) Internet portal, such as an online banking portal of a financial institution. A database stores transaction data records, offer data corresponding to the terms of a targeted marketing offer delivered to the consumer, offer redemption data corresponding to a predetermined targeted marketing offer that has been satisfied, and reward data corresponding to a predetermined reward provided in response to satisfaction of the terms of the offer. A component processes the transaction data records to identify whether any transactions have satisfied the terms of an offer and stores offer redemption data indicating that the terms of an offer have been satisfied. A component accesses the offer redemption data and the reward data and provides the predetermined reward to the consumer. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114676 | DYNAMIC DISCOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for dynamically discounting trade debt through the use of a forward auction is provided. In one example, a system that allows a seller to auction inventory to a plurality of bidders. According to this embodiment, the system may determine eligibility for acceptance of bids submitted by the bidders and a plurality of bids may be determined to be eligible for acceptance. Further, a margin by which the bids are acceptable may be determined and a representation of the margin may be communicated. In another example, a method is provided for discounting debt using an auction system. According to this embodiment, a seller may configure an auction event with auction parameters, such as hurdle rates, that will best serve the goals of the auction. The seller may alter event parameters while the event is ongoing, thus further enhancing the ability of the seller to meet auction objectives. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114677 | SYSTEM INCLUDING AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE WITH DATA BEARING MEDIUM - Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods of providing customized offers to a consumer at an automated teller machine. The automated teller machine comprises a processor, a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, an output device coupled to the processor, and a reader coupled to the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code for receiving data from a portable ATM device and code for receiving a customized offer after receiving data from the portable ATM device. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114678 | Compensation Distribution Using Quality Score - Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for compensation distribution includes analyzing first content from a publisher with regard to a quality criterion. The method includes associating the first content with a quality score based on the analysis. The method includes providing second content to the publisher to be published with the first content. The method includes distributing a compensation to the publisher relating to the second content, the compensation based at least in part on the quality score. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121689 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS ORDERING IN A VENUE - The present disclosure teaches a system for wireless ordering in a venue, including a wireless communication device configured to allow a user within a venue to input information, a network that is wirelessly accessible by the wireless communication device, a server coupled to the network, and configured to transmit information packets through the network to the wireless communication device, an electronic payment gateway coupled to the server, and configured to pass electronic payment information received from the server, an order-processing computer coupled to the server, and configured to receive order information, an order-displaying device coupled to the order-processing computer, and configured to receive order information from the order-processing computer and to display the order information, and a pick-up station where customers may retrieve their orders. The present disclosure also teaches a method in accordance with the system. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121690 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PERSONALIZED MOBILE ADVERTISING SERVICE - A method and system are provided for providing a personalized mobile advertising service by a mobile terminal in a mobile advertising system. The method includes receiving a message requesting an advertisement list through an advertising application, providing the requested advertisement list to a user through the advertising application, receiving a request message for a predetermined advertisement among advertisements included in the provided advertisement list through the advertising application, and delivering the requested advertisement to the advertising application. | 05-13-2010 |
20100125490 | SOCIAL NETWORK REFERRAL COUPONS - The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing coupon distribution in a non-evasive manner based upon a referral. A social network can include two or more users with at least one actively acknowledged connection that indicates a relationship between a first user and a second user. An interface can receive a referral from the first user associated with the social network, wherein the referral describes an experience related to at least one of a business or a service. A viral coupon component can implement a non-evasive delivery of a coupon to the second user based upon leveraging the relationship between the first user and the second user, wherein the coupon is incorporated within at least one of an advertisement or a listing. The vial coupon component delivery of the coupon can be triggered based upon the second user actively investigating at least one of the business or the service. | 05-20-2010 |
20100145777 | ADVERTISING BASED ON INFLUENCE - Advertising based on influence is provided. In some embodiments, advertising based on influence includes determining an influence score (e.g., based on a given dimension) for a subject (e.g., a user), in which the subject is a potential target for an advertisement; and determining targeting of the advertisement based on criteria including the influence score of potential recipients of the advertisement. In some embodiments, the influence score is a directly estimated objective measure of influence (e.g., estimated using a social graph). In some embodiments, advertising based on influence also includes determining pricing of advertisements based on criteria including the influence score of potential recipients of one or more advertisements. In some embodiments, advertising based on influence further includes sharing advertising revenue with the subject based on criteria including the influence score of the first subject (e.g., as an incentive for the subject to view the advertisement). | 06-10-2010 |
20100153194 | System, Device and Method for Incorporating Randomly Selected Prizes with Transactions - The present invention provides a system, method and device for issuing random benefits to users of transaction cards and other personally identifying transaction instruments. The present invention provides a network accessible by various input devices or terminals, wherein the devices can receive a personally identifying transaction instrument and determine a user account associated therewith. When the personally identifying transaction instrument is presented as part of a transaction, the system of the present invention determines whether the user is to receive a benefit. If so, the system of the present invention selects a benefit at random from a pool of benefits and presents it to the user. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161394 | MODULAR E-COMMERCE WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM - A system in accordance with the invention creates a predesigned software product generally for e-commerce applications that is modifiable by a company-user in terms of not only look and feel, but also functionality and flow. Such a system includes a set of predesigned business modules where each business module performs a unique function. Each business module is accompanied by a respective set of templates, each of which models a web page. Within each template is embedded one or more commands. To customize its system, the company-user (1) selects which business modules it desires, (2) selects which templates it desires to use with each business module, and (3) customizes each template in terms of look and feel. By selecting the modules, the company-user determines the system's overall functionality, and by selecting the templates, the company-user determines the look and feel and flow of the system. Once customized, the company-user populates a database for use of the system with company-specific data. | 06-24-2010 |
20100191586 | Providing Cashback Offers - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing one or more cashback offers are disclosed. A search query entered by a user into a search engine is obtained. The search query is utilized to determine that cashback offers in association with the search query exist. Upon a determination that cashback offers exist, a cashback notification is provided that indicates to a user that cashback offers are available. In embodiments, the cashback notification is displayed in association with one or more search results corresponding with the search query. | 07-29-2010 |
20100205046 | INTERACTIVE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COLLECTING SELF-REPORTED EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE ON ZERO RELATIVE COST ACTIVITIES - A method, computer program product and system are disclosed for collecting self-reported expenditures and revenue from members of an MLM business structure via an intendance server, and of subsequently rewarding third-parties with the revenue. The intendance server uniquely collects the self-reported expenditures, which expenditures are not necessarily monetary in nature. The overrides generated on self-reported expenditures are distributed throughout a hierarchical, multi-level marketing (MLM) business structure in accordance with a predetermined commission criteria. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205047 | Promotional Electronic Recipe Distribution - A method and system is described distributing electronic recipes within an electronic cookbook system. The electronic cookbook system is comprised of an electronic cooking device, electronic cooking server, and preferably and electronic cooking website. Particularly, a method and system of distributing a promotional electronic recipe is described, wherein the promotional electronic recipe is efficiently received, stored, and organized by a user's electronic cookbook device. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211441 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A system and method for determining the identity of a product and then calculating an offer price for the product are disclosed. The identity of the product may be determined using near-field communication in one aspect. The system and method are operable to enable retailers to provide a lowest price for the product and conduct a series of offer calculations to determine an offer for a consumer. The offer is based, in part, on costs to the consumer in executing the transaction (e.g., travel time, fuel, etc.). The offer may be higher than the lowest price as determined by each retailer, respectively, while still providing a discount to the consumer to entice a purchase of the product. | 08-19-2010 |
20100241494 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR SELECTING AND DELIVERING ELECTRONIC VALUE CERTIFICATES USING A MOBILE DEVICE - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selecting and delivering an electronic value certificate to a mobile device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes utilizing a certificate selection device to generate electronic certificate selection information and providing the electronic certificate selection information and associated recipient data to a merchant server. From the merchant server, electronic value certificate data derived from the certificate selection information is received. The method also includes establishing a communications link with a mobile device corresponding to the recipient data. The electronic value certificate data is provisioned on the mobile device over the communications link via over the air (OTA) communications. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241495 | OFFLINE CASHBACK ADVERTISEMENTS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods and computer storage media for providing an advertisement to a consumer in an online environment for utilization in an offline environment. The offline utilization of the coupon by the consumer allows for an amount owed to an advertisement-service provider by a merchant to be reduced. The advertisement-service provider provides, for a fee, advertising services for the merchant, which includes presenting a coupon to the consumer in an online environment. The consumer is presented with the coupon by the advertisement-service provider on behalf of the merchant. In one embodiment, the consumer stores the coupon for later redemption in an offline environment. The consumer purchases goods or service in an offline environment utilizing the coupon. The advertisement-service provider reduces an amount the merchant owes as a result of the consumer's offline redemption of the coupon. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241496 | TIME AND WAYPOINT-BASED INCENTIVES FOR MOBILE DEVICES - The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for influencing behavior of a user of a mobile device. A determination may be made regarding whether a mobile device is within an area associated with one or more predefined waypoints. An incentive may be provided to the mobile device based at least in part on a location of the mobile device to influence behavior of a user of the mobile device. | 09-23-2010 |
20100250346 | USING V2X IN-NETWORK MESSAGE DISTRIBUTION AND PROCESSING PROTOCOLS TO ENABLE GEO-SERVICE ADVERTISEMENT APPLICATIONS - A system and method for providing geo-service advertising messages using a wireless vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communications network. Messages are transmitted from a business that identify the type of business, the name of the business and the location of the business, which are received by vehicles traveling within a certain distance of the business. The messages can be rebroadcast by the vehicles receiving the messages from the business to other vehicles either in a multi-hop information routing manner or in a delay-tolerant network information dissemination fashion so that the messages are sent to a wider area, but within a predetermined geographic area and with a predetermined time. If a particular user of the system wishes to learn about a particular business or type of business, he can activate the system so that the messages being sent between the vehicles and from the businesses can be displayed to the user for his use. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262472 | PROVIDING RELEVANT ADVERTISEMENTS AND SERVICE IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - In some embodiments, methods for providing advertisements from a communication gateway are providing, including: receiving a first request requesting content from a content server; analyzing the first request, including performing deep packet inspection; based on updatable profile information associated with a mobile node and on the analysis including the deep packet inspection, selecting an advertising category; based on the selected advertising category, retrieving an advertisement among a plurality of advertisements and sending the advertisement to the mobile node; updating the profile information to indicate the advertisement has been sent to the mobile node in response to the first request for content; receiving a second request for the content from the mobile node; retrieving the content; and in response to the second request and based on the profile information indicating the advertisement has been sent to the mobile node, sending the content to the mobile node. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268579 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MONITORING AND OPTIMIZING POWER QUALITY IN A NETWORK - The operation of a power distribution network is modeled. At least one quality of the operation of the power distribution network is measured. The future operational performance of the power distribution network is predicted based at least in part upon the modeling. When the at least one measure of the quality of the operation of the power distribution network or the predicted future operational performance do not meet the predetermined performance criteria, corrective action is taken with respect to the power distribution network. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268580 | NETWORK-BASED SIMULATED PACKAGE FOR ENCLOSING DIGITAL OBJECTS - The present disclosure provides methods and systems for bundling and presenting digital information within a network environment by simulating a physical package. In one embodiment, the simulated package has an outer package level to present ancillary information about digital objects enclosed in the simulated package. An inner content level contains the digital objects of the package. In some instances, the inner content level also presents privileges, proxies, promotions, etc. in association with the user's ownership interest in the simulated package. The simulated package also includes an identifier to uniquely associate it with a specific user and to enable the simulated package to function as a unique instance. Also presented are methods and systems to manage the identifiers and to lookup and transfer requests from users to appropriate retailers hosting the simulated packages. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274642 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A PARAMETER THAT REPRESENTS DATA DESCRIBING A PHYSICAL SYSTEM - There is provided a system and method for estimating a parameter that represents data describing a physical system. An exemplary method comprises randomizing data representative of a population of items for which the parameter is known. The method may additionally comprise generating data representative of a pseudo population of items using a known perturbation, the data representative of the pseudo population of items being included with the data representative of the population of items for which the parameter is known to form a revised population and selecting a bootstrap sample of a minimum sample size of the revised population. A sensitivity study is performed on the parameters of the items comprising the bootstrap sample to determine a level of change of a predicted parameter value relative to a parameter value of the sample. At least one of a range, a probability distribution or the minimum sample size is revised based on the parameter for items comprising the bootstrap sample to produce at least one of a revised range, a revised probability distribution or a revised minimum sample size, taking into account an effect of the known perturbation applied to the pseudo population. The steps of selecting, performing and revising are repeated until the sensitivity study indicates that the level of change of the parameter is acceptably small. A value of the parameter is estimated for the population based on a parameter corresponding to the acceptably small level of change. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274643 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODULATING A VIDEO SIGNAL WITH DATA - A system for transmitting auxiliary data within a modulated video signal from a broadcast source to a hand-held device with a slot, the system comprising the broadcast source comprises means for transmitting auxiliary data to the slotted hand-held device via the modulated video signal; an interface device electronically coupled to the hand-held device via the slot and comprises a card microcontroller, a receiver electronically coupled to the card microcontroller for receiving the modulated video signal from the broadcast source, and circuitry electronically coupled to the card microcontroller and the receiver for demodulating the modulated video signal and reproducing the auxiliary data, and transferring the auxiliary data to the hand-held device via an interface protocol, and the hand-held device with the slot comprises a microcontroller for processing the signal auxiliary data received via the interface protocol from the interface device. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280885 | Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics - A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280886 | Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics - A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at Least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280887 | Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics - A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280888 | Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics - A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity. | 11-04-2010 |
20100293041 | Interactive Management System for Developing Instructional Multimedia and Curriculum Delivery Systems - Provided are methods of making a learning application by providing a content database comprising reusable digital objects, wherein at least a portion of the objects are deposited to the content database by a registered contributor and the portion is identified as contributed by said registered contributor. A user is registered to provide the user access to the content database, wherein the user withdraws at least a portion of the objects from the database deposited by the registered contributor. The withdrawn object is formed into the learning application and a compensation value for the registered contributor who contributed the withdrawn object is calculated. In this manner, ongoing sustainable development of the content database is encouraged, including deposit of learning objects and development of instructional objects that can then be accessed by others in developing individually-tailored learning applications. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293042 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VARIABLE DISCOUNT SALES DEVICE - A variable discount sales device that acts as an automated agent or broker by efficiently, and automatically, aggregating a sizable number of individual buyers into a single unit. The device allows variable discounts to be offered to the buyers, including a possibility of getting the item for free. In this way, buyers may be highly incentivized, while manufacturers may sell directly to end users. The discounts are possible because of the economies of scale that may result from the aggregation of the buyers, even though they may be individuals or small companies. Other savings may be made possible by eliminating middlemen and reducing shipping cost. | 11-18-2010 |
20100299186 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SAVINGS PARTICIPATION - A computer-based automated savings method includes storing in a memory circuit, for each customer, customer profile data that identifies an account for accumulating automated savings, that identifies customer-specified types of financial transactions for automated savings participation, and that identifies a customer-specified saving algorithm for each of the different types of financial transactions. Notification data is received that is indicative of one of the customers having actively engaged in one of the types of financial transactions for automated savings participation. The customer's profile data in the memory circuit is accessed, the type of financial transaction being engaged in by the customer is compared with the customer-specified types of financial transactions, and therefrom it is determined whether the type of financial transaction qualifies for automated savings participation. The method further includes based upon the comparison, selecting a customer-specified saving algorithm as specified for the type of financial transaction, accessing and implementing the customer-specified saving algorithm for the financial transaction for which notification data has been received and, therefrom, increasing the amount of savings in the account for accumulating automated savings. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299187 | PROVIDING A LOCAL DEVICE WITH COMPUTING SERVICES FROM A REMOTE HOST - Systems and methods for providing a local device with computing services are disclosed. One embodiment includes, identifying one or more file types of files stored on the local device which is not associated with a local application that is installed on the local device and detecting a request to access a file stored on the local device having one of the one or more file types. The remote host can generate an offer to provide access to a remote application which is able to open the file for a fee such that the file is accessible via the local device. A selected service model can determine the fee and whether the remote application is provided for use by the local device when offline. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299188 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING TASKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to present a plurality of selectable commodity items, detect one or more selections from the plurality of commodity items, generate a list from the one or more commodity items selected, and transmit the list to a system. The system can be adapted to receive the list from the communication device, determine a selection order for the items in the list based on a location of each item in a store and at least one characteristic of at least one of the items, update the list according to the selection order, and transmit the updated list to a device for conducting commodity shopping according to the adjusted list. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-25-2010 |
20100306038 | Rewarding Initial Purchasers of Digital Media - Rewarding a first classification of purchasers of digital media is provided. Such a classification may include initial purchasers (e.g., purchasers of new items) and secondary purchasers (e.g., purchasers of previously used items). A digital medium is played on a digital device and a notification is sent to a server. The server identifies the user of the digital device based on a unique device identifier associated with the digital device and a stored association of that digital device with the user. The user is determined to belong to the first classification of purchasers of the digital medium based on a unique identifier associated with the digital medium. The user, belonging to the first classification of purchasers, is provided with access to a reward that is not generally accessible to users belonging to a second classification. Users that are identified as belonging to the second classification may be offered a chance to upgrade their classification and access the reward. | 12-02-2010 |
20100318412 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME LOCATION AND INQUIRY BASED INFORMATION DELIVERY - Systems and methods for real-time location and inquiry based information delivery are described. Embodiments of a method for real-time location and inquiry based information delivery include receiving, using a processor and memory, a customer inquiry. The customer inquiry includes product information indicative of a customer's interest in a particular product. The method further receives location information indicative of the customer's current geographical location, determines additional product information based on the customer inquiry, identifies one or more incentives for presentation to the customer based on at least a portion of the product information and the location information. The customer inquiry is received prior to any solicitation of the customer's interest in the particular product. | 12-16-2010 |
20100324977 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION TO A MOBILE ASSET - Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing promotion information to a mobile asset are provided by various embodiments of the invention. At least one triggering event for soliciting promotional information may be detected. Based on the detection, a request for promotional information may be communicated to a promotional information server and promotional information may be received in response to the request. At least a portion of the promotional information may be presented to a user by a designated asset. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324978 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO PURCHASERS - A pre-sale offer system ( | 12-23-2010 |
20100332295 | DEMAND AMALGAMATION FOR ONLINE AUCTIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for demand amalgamation in an online auction. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method for demand amalgamation in an online auction can be provided. The method can include, in a single online auction provided by an online auction management system executing in at least one host server, the acceptance of bids for associated different items in the online auction management system. At least two of the different items can be of a different item type. The method further can include the determination of winning bids amongst the accepted bids by way of a comparison of the accepted bids to one another without regard to whether or not the accepted bids had been placed for an item of a specific item type. Finally, for each determined one of the winning bids, one of the different items associated with the determined one of the winning bids can be awarded to a winning bidder corresponding to the determined one of the winning bids through the online auction management system. | 12-30-2010 |
20110004511 | LBS NOWCASTING SENSITIVE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for combining the delivery of advertising with weather predictions that are limited in geographical area and time, and hence which are much more precise but also more time sensitive than regular weather forecasts. The present invention is preferably implemented with “nowcasting”. | 01-06-2011 |
20110004512 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING REWARD POINTS TO LIQUIDATE PRODUCTS - A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment. | 01-06-2011 |
20110004513 | SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability. | 01-06-2011 |
20110010229 | METHOD FOR DIGITAL COUPON DISTRIBUTION AND CLEARING - The present invention is a method of distributing, redeeming, and clearing digital coupons that includes transmitting digital coupon data directly to a wireless user communication device such as a user's cell phone and then detecting directly from the device whether any of the digital coupon data has been selected to be redeemed and receiving the selected digital coupon data directly from the wireless user communication device for redemption and clearing purposes. | 01-13-2011 |
20110015973 | DISAGGREGATION AND ATTACHMENT OF CARBON CREDITS TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF A SELLER THROUGH A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - A method of an analysis server includes determining a set of attributes associated with a bundled inventory of carbon credits based on a meta-data provided along with the bundled inventory through the analysis server, and determining a source, a time of a creation and a geo-spatial location of each discrete unit of carbon credit of the bundled inventory through the set of attributes. The method also includes calculating a number of discrete units of carbon credit associated with an item of a seller based on a carbon footprint of the item, allocating the number of discrete units to the item, and generating a unique identifier of the item and allocated discrete units thereof such that no other item includes the same allocated discrete units. | 01-20-2011 |
20110015974 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FINANCING COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS - A method for financing a commercial transaction between a supplier and a buyer, including engaging a buyer receiving goods or services under terms of trade credit from a supplier of goods or services, the trade credit permitting payment for the goods or services at a future date, the buyer neutralizing a trade risk associated with paying for the goods and services; engaging a financial institution to provide capital against a commitment of the buyer to effect the payment at a future date; transferring a portion of the capital to the supplier in advance of the future date, the portion satisfying consideration for the supply of the goods or services; and distributing to the buyer a fee lower than the difference between the capital and the portion. | 01-20-2011 |
20110022445 | AIRPORT PROMOTION AND ADVERTISEMENT SYSTEM - A method of promoting businesses at airports includes the step of providing an internet database for access by consumers. The database lists promotional offers of businesses with airport locations. The method further includes sorting the promotional offers by a selected criteria which allows a consumer or customer to more quickly find desired information. Further, the method includes allowing the consumer to access the promotional offers for review and select one or more of the promotional offers for use. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022446 | SIMPLIFIED REBATE REDEMPTION SYSTEM - A method of simplified rebate redemption for a good or service purchased by a consumer comprises using a mobile communication device of a consumer to complete the rebate redemption. Preferably the mobile communication device utilized is a mobile telephone having text messaging capability. Thus, the method includes sending a receipt, bar code information and redemption offer information to the entity offering the rebate using the text messaging capability of a mobile telephone of a consumer purchasing the good or service for which the rebate is offered. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022447 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GIFTING AND PROMOTING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A method of delivering one or more gift certificates and/or one or more gift cards to recipients over a communication network. The method includes storing a multiple of messages in a message database. A user selects a message from the multiple of messages and stores information of the one or more recipients in an information database. A corresponding advertising information is integrated with the selected message to form a basis for an electronic communication. The advertising information is embedded as a substantive feature of the message selected from the multiple of messages. A message content includes the selected message from the multiple of messages and the corresponding advertising information is transmitted to the one or more recipients via the electronic communication to the wireless communication devices. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022448 | System and Method for Granting Promotional Rewards to Credit Account Holders - A system and method for providing promotional rewards is provided. First, a promotional reward is communicated to a customer. The promotional reward offer comprises a promotional reward associated with one or more promotional reward-earning behaviors and a promotional time frame. The offer may specify a customer population, and the customer may be enrolled in the promotional reward program if the customer is determined to be in the population. The customer is credited a promotional reward if the customer accomplishes the promotional reward-earning behavior(s) within the promotional time frame. The customer may also be enrolled in a base reward program. The promotional rewards and base rewards may be accumulated in a customer account. A system for implementing a promotional rewards program is also provided. | 01-27-2011 |
20110029355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS AND INFORMATION OVER A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK BASED ON CURRENT GPS LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE POSITIONS - A method and system for providing targeted advertisement and informational announcements with selected ringtones to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to iphoneappdata.com, when communication devices are in close proximity, as a consumer enters a predetermined GPS longitude and latitude coordinate that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message and corresponding ringtone to the wireless device which is specified by the local advertiser. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more sub advertiser codes so unique advertisements can be sent from multiple chain advertisers. A follow-up advertisement can be sent after a pre-established waiting period and database checks are performed to determine if the same advertisement was sent out previously or within a specified period. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029356 | Selective control of an optional vehicle mode - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029357 | Promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029358 | Promotional incentives based on hybrid vehicle qualification - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029359 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PRESENCE USING A WIFI NETWORK PROBE DETECTOR - The detection system monitors WiFi wireless communications at a wireless device and detects a probe request associated with a location. The WiFi device may be a dedicated presence detection device or may offer access to internet and other services as a WiFi access point. A device identifier associated with the originating device may be a component of the probe request. Using the device identifier, the system can detect the presence of a consumer at the location associated with the wireless communications device and transmit information to the consumer based upon the device identifier. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029360 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SMART PHONE FUNCTIONALITY FOR RETAILERS TO DISTRIBUTE SALE AND DISCOUNT COUPONS - A system and method for providing sale information including electronic coupons to a mobile wireless electronic device based on current location of the mobile wireless electronic device in relation to retail locations is described. The selection and communication of the sales information including electronic coupons to the mobile wireless electronic devices may also be made at least in part based on pre-defined preferences associated with a consumer associated with the mobile wireless electronic device. | 02-03-2011 |
20110035262 | Sponsoring and Distributing Content - Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for distributing sponsored content. For example, in one embodiment, a facilitator system receives a distribution request to distribute sponsored content. In response to the distribution request, a distribution link for distributing the sponsored content is generated. The distribution link may be adapted for identifying a distributor account associated with the distribution link. In response to receiving a request for the sponsored content generated from the distribution link, the facilitator system can redirect a viewer computing device to the sponsored content stored on a host system and provide an incentive credit to the party who distributed the distribution link. | 02-10-2011 |
20110047010 | ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING RESTRICTED DISCOUNT CODES - A network of DVD dispensing machines and method for accepting user-inputted coupon codes that are only accepted when certain restrictions are satisfied. In one aspect of the present invention, certain coupon codes are only accepted by kiosks located in certain geographic areas. In another aspect of the present invention, certain coupon codes are only accepted if the customer is a new customer opening a new account. In another aspect of the present invention, certain coupon codes are only accepted once per user account. In yet another aspect of the present invention, certain coupon codes are only accepted if the coupon codes are used at kiosks housed in certain vending partners or in stores affiliated with a certain entity. | 02-24-2011 |
20110047011 | INCENTIVES TO OPTIMIZE THE PERFORMANCE OF FEMTO CELL GROUPS - A method of incentivizing an operator of femto cell infrastructure to efficiently utilize the femto cell infrastructure. The method can include establishing, for an end user device, telecommunication network presence on a femto cell. The femto cell can be a geographic region serviced by the femto cell infrastructure, which establishes wireless communication links within the femto cell. Further, the femto cell can be smaller than a macro cell supported by infrastructure operated by a communication services provider. At least one parameter measured within the femto cell can be received. Based on the measured parameter, a determination can be made as to whether to award at least one incentive to the operator of the femto cell, and the incentive can be awarded to the operator. | 02-24-2011 |
20110047012 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROMOTING A BUSINESS TO MEMBERS OF A SOCIAL NETWORK - Methods and systems for promoting a business to members of a social network are disclosed. One embodiment is a method for promoting a business to users of a social network, the method including the following steps: establishing a closed user group comprising a plurality of users of the social network, wherein eligibility for membership of the closed user group requires satisfying at least one eligibility criterion; registering as a member of the social network a business wishing to promote a good or service to members of the closed user group, a business registration request including at least one discount offered by the business to members of the closed user group; and displaying discounts offered to the closed user group to any user who is a member of the closed user group. | 02-24-2011 |
20110060629 | THIRD PARTY MERCHANT-FUNDED REWARDS ACCRUAL AND REDEMPTION NETWORK - Systems and methods for administering merchant funded third-party administered rewards programs are provided. The system receives information about a transaction made using a payment device and determines whether the payment device is enrolled in the rewards program. If the payment device is enrolled in the rewards program, the system determines if the transaction qualifies for a reward. If the transaction qualifies for the reward, the system determines a rewards value for the transaction. Thereafter, the system determines a prepaid payment token associated with the payment device and instructs an issuer of the prepaid payment token to load the rewards value onto the prepaid payment token. | 03-10-2011 |
20110087524 | DETERMINING TRAVEL ROUTES BY USING FEE-BASED LOCATION PREFERENCES - A method and system for determining a travel route that includes a location as a result of fee-based preferential weighting. A user request is received for determining a route from point A to point B. A preferential weight is assigned to a location associated with a vendor. The location is selected as being capable of being included along the route. Selecting the location is based on the request and preferential weight. A fee to be charged to the vendor is determined. The fee is for presenting the route to the user as a recommended route and is based on the location being included along the recommended route. The route is determined so that the location is included along the route. The route is presented to the user as the recommended route. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087525 | ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BASED ON DRIVING BEHAVIOR - A method and system for managing driving patterns by charging a variable incentive and/or disincentive based on individual driving behaviors. Distances detected between a vehicle and other vehicles are detected within a time period. N tailgating incidents are identified based on the detected distances being less than a threshold value for distance. A variable toll is determined by evaluating a function of a base amount and N. The driver of the vehicle is charged the variable toll. Charging the variable toll provides an incentive to the driver to encourage driving that does not include tailgating or a disincentive to the driver to deter tailgating. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087526 | Social Network Economy Using Gift Credits - In a social networking system environment, users can give another user credits, a scarce commodity, as part of commenting on content posted by the other user. These credits can be used as a peer-to-peer recommendation signal, and they can also be used as input to a decision engine that determines what content to display in a highlights section that will be viewed by a wider audience and increasing the likelihood of further engagement with the content. Credits in a social networking system environment have scarcity value. In various embodiments, in order to increase the number of credits in the system, users buy them or an administrator distributes them. In some implementations, the total amount of credits in the system can decrease if a user cashes out the credits for real money. In some implementations, credits can be used to buy virtual or real-world gifts. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087527 | Personalized Bank Teller Machine - A system and method is provided for an ATM having a display, a logic server coupled to the display, and a memory coupled to the logic server. The logic server dynamically controls the functions available to the users including messages and coupons. A host contains a profile of a user. The memory, which is accessible to the logic server, may contain a profile of at least one user. A user card may contain a profile of the user. In operation, the ATM detects the a user's card and requests the profile of the user whose card was detected from a host. The ATM then receives the user's profile and stores the user's profile in the ATM. The system and method also provides a cardless ATM in which a user logs on without a card. Additionally, system and method also provides ATM services via a personal device. | 04-14-2011 |
20110099055 | METHOD OF PROCURING AND VENDING FUEL AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE - A method of vending fuel at a discounted price by use of a prepaid fuel card, comprising the step of allocating of a portion of the discount value negotiated by the prepaid fuel card administrator to the fuel consumer for payment of the fuel purchased. A machine and a code component for a machine comprising elements configured to set a limit on the amount of gas that can be dispensed at a gas fuel station and calculate the portion of a discount value negotiated by the prepaid fuel card administrator allocated to a sales representative and or a high volume retail vendor. | 04-28-2011 |
20110099056 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAMING PROMOTIONAL PRINTER - A method and apparatus for a promotional printer for use within a cashless enabled gaming machine or vending machine are disclosed. A promotional printer includes a coupon database describing a stack of coupons that are specified using a template based couponing printer language. A coupon is selected for creation and issued to a user or player based on a matrix of event-based triggers involving factors or parameters known to the promotional printer directly or supplied by a master promotional controller. Triggers may include the time of day, the date or amount of a cash-out voucher to be issued to the user or player, the duration of play on a gaming machine, a player classification, the amount of money or credits added to a game, or a random frequency of coupon issuance having satisfied any or all of the aforementioned factors. The promotional printer may further include the ability to store all of the coupons, trigger conditions, and related information resident in the promotional printer in a non-volatile fashion thus enabling a host system to download a promotional environment into the promotional printer which will run promotional campaigns on behalf of the hosting system. | 04-28-2011 |
20110106591 | Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics - A method may include, but is not limited to, receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle and conveying a standing, the standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106592 | Optimizing Traffic Predictions and Enhancing Notifications - Travel-demand forecasting methods are described for predicting traffic volume based, at least in part, on user-entered data in the form of origin/destination data pairs, user preferences, demographic data and other types of socioeconomic data. This data can source a prediction algorithm or be used to calibrate or more make accurate a current algorithm. Methods and systems are described for, among other things, optimizing traffic predictions, forecasting traffic patterns using user-assigned trip patterns, associating rich attribute information to navigation routes, exposing personal-logistic information to a group, communicating traffic-situation-generated alerts based on user information, optimizing a presentation of user-defined traffic routes, and presenting location indications based on proximity (temporal or geographical). | 05-05-2011 |
20110106593 | Coupon Codes - A computer-implemented method includes receiving by one or more computer systems information corresponding to a coupon code to be applied to a consultation between a consumer of services and a service provider; verifying by the one or more computer systems a validity of the coupon code by determining that that one or more attributes of the consumer of services match one or more criteria associated with the coupon code; and applying the coupon code to a consultation fee associated with the consultation between the consumer of services and the service provider. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112892 | Multi-location based promotion method and apparatus - A promotion system provides multi-location promotions for a variety of establishments. Establishments may define one or more zones and associate unique promotions to the zones. The promotions may be unique in that no two zones of an may have the same promotions. Users located within a zone may then receive promotions unique to their zone from the promotion system. Typically, users that are less likely to visit or make purchases at an establishment will be sent better promotions than those more likely to visit or make purchases. This is encourages users to visit and make purchases. The promotion system may comprise a promotion server or other data processing or computing device configured to receive promotions from establishments and distribute promotions to users' mobile devices based on the zone in which the user is located. | 05-12-2011 |
20110119118 | System and Method for Providing Automated Fee Pricing - A system includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The memory is operable to store a list of fee rules and a fee schedule. The processor is operable to receive account data comprising an asset type and an asset value associated with the asset type. The processor is further operable to determine, based on the asset type, one or more rules for calculating asset management fees from the list of fee rules and to calculate a standard asset management fee based on the received account data, the determined one or more rules, and the fee schedule. The processor is further operable to receive a discount factor associated with the standard asset management fee and to calculate an adjusted asset management fee based on the discount factor and the standard asset management fee. | 05-19-2011 |
20110125559 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRAVEL TIME INFORMATION - Location technologies are combined with other information systems to provide augmented information for individuals such as a traveler in an automobile. | 05-26-2011 |
20110145042 | VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION BASED ON VEHICLE USAGE PATTERNS - An invention for indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency for at least one vehicle usage pattern is provided. The invention analyzes vehicle usage patterns to discern if the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to the user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. Specifically, the fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze a set of vehicle usage patterns of a vehicle, and a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the set of vehicle usage patterns. The fuel efficiency tool further comprises a notification component configured to provide a notification to a user of the vehicle indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for at least one of the set of vehicle usage patterns. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153394 | SERVICE DISCOVERY IN A NETWORK OF AUTOMATIC PRODUCT/SERVICE DISPENSING MACHINES - A method, system, and computer program product for providing products to a user via an automated product dispensing machine is provided. In once embodiment, an automatic product dispensing machine in a micronetwork of proximally located diverse automatic product dispensing machines receives a request for an item. Responsive to a determination that the item is unavailable at a current automatic product dispensing machine, the automatic product dispensing machine provides a user with an alternative redemption product, such as, for example, a coupon that may be redeemed at another automatic product dispensing machine or at a nearby store. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153395 | INCINERATION SYSTEM FOR ORGANIC PRODUCT - An object of the present invention is to provide an incineration system for an organic product which stimulates a positive attitude to developing and using biomass-derived products, reduces the amount of waste disposal, and reduces global warming gases released to the environment. | 06-23-2011 |
20110161142 | TARGETED RESTRICTION OF ELECTRONIC OFFER REDEMPTION - Methods for permitting advertising entities to cap the distribution of electronic offers or coupons and to monitor active electronic advertising campaigns and receive real-time feedback on the success thereof are provided. Advertising entities are further permitted to modify electronic advertising campaigns, while they are active, based upon at least one success metric. Permitting advertising entities to cap distribution of electronic offers and to monitor and modify electronic advertising campaigns, while they are active, provides increased control to advertising entities that elect to advertise electronically. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161143 | CHARGE CALCULATION APPARATUS, CHARGE CALCULATION SYSTEM, AND CHARGE CALCULATION METHOD - A charge calculation apparatus, system and method allow for a controller to administer an electric power charging operation to one or more client devices, such as an electric vehicle. The vehicle provides its ID to the controller, which in turn calculates a tax according to the vehicle making the request, and other factors such as taxing jurisdiction, amount of electricity used, timing, etc. By controlling the charging operation in this way, the taxing authorities are able to collect tax revenue for use in maintaining roads from the users of those roads by monitoring which vehicles are using electricity to operate the vehicles on the roads. By keeping track of the vehicle's movement within different tax jurisdictions, the tax may be apportioned amongst the different taxing authorities. | 06-30-2011 |
20110173053 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT AND/OR ISSUANCE OF CREDITS VIA A MOBILE DEVICE - System and method for delivering upon request credits having monetary value to a mobile device using a communications network. An account of available credit for the user of the mobile device is maintained and authorization to issue credit is generated when a request for credit for the mobile device is received and there is available credit in the account associated with the mobile device equal to or greater than the requested credit. Credit may be sponsored by one or more sponsors and issued to the user, upon authorization, to enable the user to use the mobile device to purchase items, e.g., at a point of sale terminal. | 07-14-2011 |
20110184788 | Third-Party Provider Method and System - Methods and systems for processing negotiable economic credits through, or at the request of, a hand held device in association with a third-party provider communicative with the hand held device and/or a point of sale. At least one negotiable economic credit can be transferred from a third-party provider communicative with the hand held device to the hand held device and/or point of sale. The negotiable economic credit can be stored within a memory of the hand held device and/or point of sale for retrieval and processing at a point of sale associated with a retail establishment and/or by a hand held device. The negotiable economic credit can be associated with a security module for protecting the privacy of the negotiable economic credit. A user profile can be compiled for utilization during the retrieval of the negotiable economic credit. | 07-28-2011 |
20110184789 | DESTINATION INFORMATION SHARING FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ENVIRONMENT - An in-vehicle system may detect an occurrence of a triggering event, detect a short-range communication connection between the in-vehicle system and a mobile communication device, send a prompt, including a request for information, to the mobile communication device, and receive a response, including the requested information, from the mobile communication device via the short-range communication module. In some embodiments, a business review, an advertisement, or a redeemable electronic coupon may be sent to the mobile communication device after the requested information is provided. Furthermore, destination information may be shared between the in-vehicle system and the mobile communication device in response to the triggering event. | 07-28-2011 |
20110191148 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING PRE-PAID PRINTING SYSTEM ACCOUNTS - Methods and systems are presented for managing document processing device usage in which a customer accesses a management system to buy and pay for account credits, and to apply print units to specific managed device by conversion of account credits based on current pricing information for the specified account and the particular device at the time of the request. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191149 | CUSTOMER-SELECTED PAYMENT CLEARINGHOUSE - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products that provide for a customer-selected payment clearinghouse that allows financial institution customers to select which account or accounts to assign/re-assign to a particular payment transaction, concurrent with the transaction or for a predetermined period of time after the transaction has occurred. As such, the present invention allows the customer to assess payment account alternatives after the transaction has occurred and to make informed payment account decisions after the transaction has occurred. In addition, the present invention allows the customer to readily distribute payment across more that one payment account. In specific embodiments of the invention, the financial institution may provide optimal payment account recommendations that maximize one or more customer payment concerns. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191150 | MOBILE INTEGRATED MERCHANT OFFER PROGRAM AND CUSTOMER SHOPPING USING PRODUCT LEVEL INFORMATION - Embodiments of the invention include a merchant offer program application, which is downloaded onto a customer computer, and that works in connection with the customer's accounts at an institution. The merchant offer program application monitors the websites that the customer views, as well as the content the customer is viewing on those websites, such as the products offered for sale through the website or other information on the website. The merchant offer program provides additional information to the customer, such as special offers that are available for the product being viewed, the identity of other merchants that offer the product or a competing product, advertisements or offers regarding other ancillary products typically sold along with the product being considered, etc. The information sent to the customer can be based not only on the website product being viewed, but on the customer's past purchase behavior, account balances, interests, etc. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191151 | SYSTEM FOR SERVING ADVERTISEMENTS THAT ALLOWS COMPENSATION FOR USER VIEWING - A system is provided to serve advertisements to a website in a unique way that can reward all of: the user of the site, the advertiser, and the performer on the website. The system works by allowing the user to elect to view advertisements while watching other content on a website. The user is awarded points or credits based on viewing the advertisements. The points or credits can be later exchanged for goods or merchandise at a store provided on a separate website at a later time. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191152 | ASSIGNING A MOBILE-REDEEMABLE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO A CONSUMER AS A MOBILE REWARD OR FOLLOWING A PURCHASE OF A PROMOTIONAL ITEM - An unique personal identification number (PIN) is issued when a promotional product is purchased. The consumer receives a receipt with information on how to redeem the PIN with a mobile communication device and qualify for a reward. An MSP (mobile service provider) is able to track the consumer's redemption actions to the consumer's mobile telephone number when the consumer redeems the PIN. In another example, the consumer is able to redeem a generic coupon at a point of sale (POS), redeem a PIN by electronically scanning a mobile phone at the POS, and then use the PIN to obtain rewards. A method, system and software product for issuing and redeeming PINs are described. | 08-04-2011 |
20110202394 | ENHANCED SHOPPING & MERCHANDISING METHODOLOGY - An enhanced shopping system for facilitating grocery shopping and in-store advertising is disclosed. The system utilizes uniquely changes (1) the way grocery retail industry captures and retains customers, (2) how customers organize their shopping efforts in grocery stores, (3) the approach to advertising and reaching customers, and (4) the information available to retailers and merchandisers related to customer (a) shopping patterns, (b) responses to merchandising and advertising, and (c) specific impact of discounting/coupons. | 08-18-2011 |
20110208569 | SYSTEM FOR INDIVIDUALIZED CUSTOMER INTERACTION - A method and system for using individualized customer models when operating a retail establishment is provided. The individualized customer models may be generated using statistical analysis of transaction data for the customer, thereby generating sub-models and attributes tailored to customer. The individualized customer models may be used in any aspect of a retail establishment's operations, ranging from supply chain management issues, inventory control, promotion planning (such as selecting parameters for a promotion or simulating results of a promotion), to customer interaction (such as providing a shopping list or providing individualized promotions). | 08-25-2011 |
20110213644 | Consumer goods price prediction and optimization - A processing apparatus transforms storage elements to receive historical and competitive price information and predict effective pricing levels for retail goods and transform output media to allow effective decision-making and product pricing. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213645 | System and Method for Management and Delivery of Content and Rules - A system and methods for management and delivery of content and rules is disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise managing, for an organization, a plurality of data and a plurality of content in separate database entities, wherein the plurality of content is associated with the plurality of data based on a plurality of rules; packaging the plurality of rules with the plurality of content in a carrier that is independent from one or more presentation channels, wherein at least part of the plurality of content is integrated with at least part of the plurality of data; delivering the plurality of data and the carrier to the one or more presentation channels; integrating, at the one or more presentation channels, the plurality of data with the plurality of content based on the plurality of rules; and distributing the integrated data and content through the one or more presentation channels. | 09-01-2011 |
20110225025 | PERIODICAL RECYCLING AND REWARD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods and systems for recycling a periodical are described. The methods may include the step of providing periodical information about the periodical to a recycling device, where the periodical is deposited with the recycling device. The methods may further include calculating one or more of discount offers based on the periodical information, and displaying the one or more of discount offers at the recycling device. One or more of the discount offers may be selected at the recycling device, and the selected offers may be printed into a ticket, coupon, or some other printed material at the recycling device. | 09-15-2011 |
20110246264 | SECURE EXCHANGE OF INDICIA OF VALUE AND ASSOCIATED INFORMATION - Secure exchange of value and associated information in financial transactions involving beneficial offers available for customers is provided. Various offers, including discounts, prepaid amounts, and the like may be purchased by customers for use with various merchants. A third party issuer obtains information from the customer in selling the offers and issues some kind of indicium of value having a representation of the value of the offer associated therein. Record of the indicia are maintained and either transmitted to the merchant or kept by the issuer or associated financial institutions. When the customer redeems the offer by presenting the indicium to the merchant, the merchant may either authenticate the indicium using the records received by the issuer, or establish communication with the issuer for the issuer to authenticate the indicium, either by itself or in cooperation with one or more related financial institutions. | 10-06-2011 |
20110246265 | Team Shopping - A method of improving sales volume includes the steps of distributing redeemable offers to teams of shoppers wherein the shoppers are able to receive whatever basic discounts or other benefits that may be available to all shoppers, but also to receive a “kicker” benefit when the team achieves a specified purchasing objective such as a total of all sales to members of the team. Teams may compete for prizes or other benefits beyond those offered to individual teams. | 10-06-2011 |
20110264490 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING MARKETING PROGRAMS - A system and method provide rewards or loyalty incentives to transaction account customers. The system includes a computing platform comprising application programming interfaces that enable users to define marketing programs. The system thus enables an efficient, automated and extensible platform for creating, managing and executing rewards and other marketing related programs. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270652 | CUSTOMER REWARD SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE REWARD TYPES INCLUDING MOBILE/WIRELESS DEVICE REWARDS - A customer reward method involves monitoring customer in-store purchases utilizing an in-store point-of-sale computer system and awarding customer points based upon such in-store purchases; storing both (i) cumulative customer point data and (ii) customer point transaction data in a customer database, the customer point transaction data including transaction date and time data; accessing the cumulative customer point data to determine a first customer reward applicable to purchase of a specific product, the first customer reward triggered by identification of the customer's intent to purchase the specific product; and periodically transferring new customer point transaction data to a third party computer system for use by the third party computer system in identifying a second customer reward applicable to use of a customer mobile phone, such that customer points earned by the customer for in-store purchases are used to define two distinct reward types for the customer. | 11-03-2011 |
20110276371 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALIDATING REDEMPTION OF A COUPON - An approach is provided for validating redemption of a coupon. The coupon management module causes, at least in part, presentation of a coupon via a device. Next, the coupon management module receives a first code in response to the presentation. Next, the coupon management module causes, at least in part, validation of a redemption of the coupon based, at least in part, on the first code. The validation is performed at the device, at a server, or a combination thereof. Next, the coupon management module retrieves a second code based, at least in part, on the coupon, the first code, or a combination thereof. Next, the coupon management module causes, at least in part, presentation of the second code for verification. The validation of the redemption of the coupon is further based, at least in part, on the verification of the second code. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282718 | INTERACTIVE LOCATION BASED AUTOMATED GUIDE SERVICE - A location based remote guidance system suitable for supervising tours of a locale being undertaken by tourists. The system may transmit and annunciate messages relating to points of interest throughout the locale and also to availability of supporting goods and services, all based on proximity to the tourists. The system may utilize stationary beacons disposed throughout the locale to ensure reliability of location based messages. The system may be operated as a commercial service which supervises self-guided tours by subscribers solicited directly by the operator of the system, and also on a compensated basis which supervises self-guided tours undertaken by subscribers solicited by other tourist related commercial entities. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282719 | PROMOTIONAL MARKETING VIA BAGGAGE TAGGING - Systems and methods for distributing marketing materials to airline consumers are disclosed. A promotion management system receives information regarding an airline consumer's checked baggage. The promotion management system has a processor and databases holding such information as client profiles, destination information, and vendor promotions. The processor determines which vendor promotion is mostly likely to be of interest to the airline consumer, and then transmits the selected vendor promotion to a remote device that provides the marketing material. This marketing material, which may be a coupon or a promotional offer, is then attached to the baggage of the airline consumer. The baggage and the attached marketing material are processed and transported to the arrival baggage claim. The airline consumer retrieves the baggage, reviews the marketing material, and may then choose to respond to the marketing material. | 11-17-2011 |
20110288910 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE ACQUISITION AND EXCHANGE OF MEDIA CONTENT IN COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - Methods and apparatus for acquisition and exchange of media content. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods facilitate selling and buying of content. A broker accepts content submitted by a content source and makes it available for sale to buyers. In another embodiment, the methods and apparatus also provide pricing reduction services as a function of time. The content owner is able to price their media content with pre-selected (or user entered) parameters which allow the sale price of the media content to automatically change at predetermined time intervals. In another embodiment, the methods and apparatus enable selling and buying editing services using the broker. The broker enables the secure exchange of media content between the editor and the customer (a content source or buyer) to enable editing services for the media content. The content source, content buyer and content editor may communicate with one another through the broker platform. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288911 | System, Method and Computer Program Product for Collecting and Distributing Mobile Content - A system, method and computer program product facilitating communications between a plurality of users using wireless mobile devices is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, from each of a plurality of mobile devices, information of a location of the mobile device and information sufficient for identifying the user associated with the mobile device, receiving from a first mobile device information regarding a business located at a first location that is supplied by the first user, receiving location information of a second mobile device associated with a second user, determining that the second mobile device is within a distance of the first location, and in response, transmitting data related to the business, based at least in part on the information supplied by the first user, to the second mobile device for presentation to the second user. | 11-24-2011 |
20110295658 | COLLECTING MEDIA DATA DESCRIPTIVE OF A PRODUCT - A crowd-sourcing system performs a method that includes generating a request that a user provide candidate media data to the crowd-sourcing system. The candidate media is descriptive of a product, and the request includes information about the product. The crowd-sourcing system transmits the request to a user system and receives the candidate media data from the user system. The crowd-sourcing system selects the candidate media data as stock media data for the product. The selection of the candidate media data may be based on a selection criterion, such as a grade of the candidate media data determined by the crowd-sourcing system. The crowd-sourcing system provides a reward to the user based on the selecting of the candidate media data as the stock media data for the product. | 12-01-2011 |
20110302005 | FRAMEWORK FOR PROMOTIONS - A system and method that provide a framework or tool through which e-commerce store owners may build promotional packages for e-commerce, and the same acts as a promotion engine or kit for promotions or incentives. In one implementation, a network platform provides a promotion framework that allows storefront managers to create a variety of different types of product offerings. | 12-08-2011 |
20110307306 | View Confirmation Using A Challenge - A computer implemented method and system is provided for confirming viewing of multimedia content on a client device. A challenge generator generates a challenge stream comprising multiple challenges, random in content. The challenge stream and the multimedia content stream are integrated in real time to generate a challenge in real time. The challenge is random in content and new each time the same multimedia content is played on one or more client devices. The challenge is presented to a viewer at random times during and/or after play of the multimedia content, and/or presented at random physical locations on the multimedia content, by overlaying the challenge on the multimedia content. A response for the presented challenge is invoked from the viewer, based on which a response report is generated. The viewer is credited with an item of value, if the response report confirms that the viewer viewed the multimedia content. | 12-15-2011 |
20110313824 | Method for Applying Gaming Philosophy to Crowd-Sourced Play-Listing - A method of motivating crowd-sourcing of performance playlists. Two or more users may initiate an exchange of metadata related to playlists via playlist managing software modules running on each of their mobile devices. The users may then receive a reward for having initiated the exchange. The reward may be in the form of a position on a leader board, a level of achievement, an unlocking of an achievement, a badge acknowledging an achievement, a designation of a title an amount of points or some combination thereof. The initiation of the exchange may itself include a game like element and may require each of the mobile devices to be in the same geographical location, and then have the users, simultaneously move them in a predetermined pattern such as a shaking motion. | 12-22-2011 |
20110320244 | Pre-Paid Customer Reward Card - This invention relates to a plastic card, wallet size, equipped with magnetic strip to store customer information; the card will be labeled with identifying logos from the source of travel and with identifying information pertaining to the customer or owner of the card. The card is designed to be used to purchase modes of travel i.e., tickets from a selected source of travel, such as, but not limited to, planes, trains, automobiles, buses, boats and ships. This card is loaded by the customer with cash to be redeemed at any time for purchasing tickets and other services provided by their source/s of travel. The concept benefits the consumer; reduction in the use of credit cards and a opportunity to save on high interest rates. For the merchant/card issuer; the earned interest on pre-paid balances increases liquidity and enhances investment opportunities. | 12-29-2011 |
20110320245 | Coupons for On-Demand Content - A method includes receiving a coupon validation request associated with a user account and determining whether a coupon is valid based on the coupon validation request. Coupon data associated with the coupon is added to a valid coupon list associated with the user account when the coupon is valid. Transaction data is automatically compared to the valid coupon list to determine whether at least one coupon identified in the valid coupon list is applicable to at least one transaction. When two or more coupons identified in the valid coupon list are applicable to the at least one transaction, a first coupon is automatically selected to apply to the at least one transaction based on priorities associated with the two or more coupons. The first coupon is automatically applied to the at least one transaction. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004954 | Crowd-Sourced Shopping List Augmentation - A method for receiving shopping recommendations is provided. In response to adding, by a client device, an item to a current shopping list of a customer, the client device sends the current shopping list with the added item to a server device for a shopping recommendation. In response to receiving, from the server device, a recommendation for a new item not found in the current shopping list of the customer, the client device displays the recommendation for the new item in the current shopping list of the customer. It is also determined whether a purchase incentive is associated with the new item recommended by the server device. In response to determining that a purchase incentive is associated with the new item recommended by the server device, the client device displays the purchase incentive with the new item recommended by the server in the current shopping list of the customer. | 01-05-2012 |
20120004955 | Single Order Method For Independent Sales Representative As Used In The Party Plan Direct Marketing Method Of Selling Products - A business method and system for executing the method that involves gathering merchandise orders at a show in the home of a hostess. The method compiles the merchandise orders while maintaining a relationship between each individual order and information pertaining to the guest making the order. The guest information maintains an association with the order throughout the method such that each order made at the show may be individually packaged and labeled, obviating the need for the hostess to sort the ordered items upon receiving them from a warehouse. | 01-05-2012 |
20120004956 | System and Method for Creating and Sharing an Event Using a Social Network - A system and method for creating and viewing artificial reality (AR) messages at an event, such as a sporting event, and sharing the event on a social network thereby enhancing and expanding the participant and spectator experience. The AR messages include geo-referenced artificial reality words or symbols to indicate distances, tips, targets or other information to the participant. The event is shared with spectators, such as friends or a subset of friends in the participant's social network. In addition to creating an active gallery for an event, messages can be exchanged among participants and spectators and virtual goods, money, and donations exchanged. | 01-05-2012 |
20120022923 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENFORCING PURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first plurality of products does not correspond to the second plurality of products. | 01-26-2012 |
20120029980 | Method and Apparatus for Collecting Recyclable Materials - The invention provides an apparatus in which recyclable materials are collected, analyzed, crushed, sorted and stored; interactive media content is displayed and coupons are printed, wherein the content is selected based upon location, material collected, user information, user responses, and other variables; information about the user, user responses, materials received and other variables are stored in memory; and rewards for providing recyclable materials are given to the user in the form of points, coupons, and/or cash. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029981 | Method and System of Distributing Charitable Contributions - A method and system of distributing charitable contributions where a sponsoring entity donates money to a charitable organization of a user's choosing via a nonprofit administrative entity. In return, the sponsoring entity receives contact information of the user, such as user's email, text, IM, for advertisement purposes. Sponsoring entities and users are matched based on the sponsoring entity's profile and user's profile, which may include the contents of the user's electronic communications. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029982 | System for the registration, compensation, management and analysis of product or content customized purchase or selling - The present invention refers to the customization of generic product and/or content purchase and/or offering, either comprising or not a social responsibility parameter by means of a system comprising the incorporation of a key, designated token, which solely identifies each item of said products. By means of an adequate incentive such as rendering a specific offer, the purchaser and/or recipient of the offer, will use this key to personally identify himself before the system, namely by means of a proper site on the Internet, through telephone line, SMS, MMS, WAP, among others. The present invention describes a system, database and co-related methods allowing the said functionality. By means of this identification it is possible to convert generic product and/or content purchase and/or offering, either with or without a social responsibility parameter, into totally identified transactions, thus generating information and allowing its valorization and promotion. | 02-02-2012 |
20120035989 | PERSONALIZATION OF A MOBILE COMMUNCATION DEVICE - An accessory for personalizing a mobile communication device includes an accessory body that is configured to adorn the mobile communication device and at least partially cover its exterior. At least one graphic design is disposed on the exterior surface of the accessory body to convey a theme. A data tag is secured to the accessory. The data tag stores data that facilitates personalization of at least one functionality of the mobile communication device in support of the theme. The data tag being configured so that the data is accessible via a short-range wireless protocol such as the Near-Field Communication (NFC) protocol. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035990 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REWARDING APPLICATION INSTALLS - In a system and method for monitoring application installations, a reference to download an application is transmitted to a client device. Communication between the client device and an application server providing the application downloadable by the client device is facilitated. Execution of the application by the client device is detected, and a determination of the installation history of the application on the client device is performed. Reward data is associated with the client device for a first installation of the application on the client device. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035991 | BEVERAGE CONTAINER CROSS-PROMOTION - A beverage container may include a promotional token that can be redeemed for credit at a gambling facility. The token may need to be authenticated to prevent fraud. Redemption of the token may include an exchange of personal information or may require a purchase of a service and/or good, e.g. from a gambling facility, or a commitment to make such a purchase. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041803 | CUSTOMER VALUE OPPORTUNITY SYSTEM - A system determines one or more winning candidate bids and includes an offer receipt module that creates an offer which includes a request for a demand shaping tactic, a type of product, a demand opportunity group, and a desired demand response. A customer potential scoring module determines a customer potential score for the offer based on the demand opportunity group and the demand shaping tactic. A bid receipt module receives a plurality bids for a plurality of different offers including the offer. A bid matching module determines one or more matching bids of the plurality of bids based on the demand shaping tactic, the type of product, the demand opportunity group, and the desired demand response of the offer. A bid determination module determines one or more winning candidate bids based on the customer potential score, ad yield of the winning candidate bid, and customer lifetime value. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041804 | System and Method for Ad-Hoc Energy Exchange Network - A method for facilitating an operation of an ad-hoc energy exchange network is disclosed. The network includes a set of nomadic charging stations (NCSs) and an energy consumer (EC). Upon receiving a request from the EC for an energy exchange, wherein the request includes a current location and a destination location of the EC, an exchange location for performing the energy exchange between a nomadic charging station (NCS) and the EC is determined based on the current location of the EC, the destination location of the EC, and a current location of the NCS. The exchange location is transmitted to the NCS and the EC. | 02-16-2012 |
20120041805 | INTERACTIVE MARKETING NETWORK AND PROCESS USING ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATES - A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. Certificate issuers have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer. | 02-16-2012 |
20120047002 | PROVIDING OFFERS BASED ON LOCATIONS WITHIN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS AND/OR THE REAL WORLD - Incentivized offers may be provided to users of a virtual environment. More specifically, a virtual environment may be provided to users such that the users participate in the virtual environment by performing one or more actions within the virtual environment. Information may be determined that relates to the physical locations in the real world of individual users of the virtual environment. Offers of goods and/or services may be determined that should be presented to individual users. The offers may be determined based on one or more of the physical locations in the real world of the individual users, virtual environment criteria representing one or more aspects of the users involvement in the virtual environment, and/or other factors. The determined offers may be transmitted to the users. | 02-23-2012 |
20120047003 | VIRAL OFFERS - Embodiments can relate to systems and methods involving viral offers. In one embodiment, a viral offer is sent to a communication device associated with a first user enrolled with a viral offer program operated by a viral offer server computer. After the viral offer is sent, an authorization request message for a transaction conducted by a second user is received. After receiving the authorization request message, a viral offer record associated with the viral offer is accessed. The viral offer record includes a velocity limit, and if the velocity limit has not been met, the velocity limit is updated. | 02-23-2012 |
20120047004 | SEQUENCED VIDEO OVERLAY ADVERTISEMENTS, INCLUDING USER-INTERACTIVE PUZZLES - The present invention provides methods and systems for advertising in connection with a video segment. Methods are provided in which a time-spaced sequence of video overlay advertisements are displayed. Advertisements of the sequence may be user-interactive and may relate to subject matter of the video segment displayed during display of the advertisements. Advertisements of the sequence may be user-interactive, and may provide pieces of a puzzle. A final advertisement may provide a reward, which may include, for example, a completed puzzle or an opportunity to complete the puzzle, and possibly other content or rewards. | 02-23-2012 |
20120059690 | INCENTIVIZING PARTICIPATION IN AN INNOVATION PIPELINE - Detecting and devaluing non-pertinent input in an online social network includes setting triggers for user conduct that includes evaluating a unique content submission submitted to the online social network and detecting, at a tangible host server, when a trigger is activated based on user conduct by a first user. The first user is penalized based on the user conduct. An initial weighting value is assigned to the unique content submission submitted to the online social network based on the first user evaluating the unique content submission. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059691 | Electronic Sales Incentive Distribution and Clearinghouse System - An electronic sales incentive distribution and clearinghouse system and methods of use are disclosed. One such system includes a computing system configured to receive an identification of one or more items from a customer, and, for each of the one or more items, compare the identification of the item to keywords associated with one or more product incentives to locate an incentive relating to the item; and if a keyword associated with an incentive relates to the item, prompt the customer to review and accept the incentive. The computing system is further configured to provide to the customer a shopping list of items including the item and one or more incentives including the incentive. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059692 | COMMODITY DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - According to one embodiment, a commodity data processing apparatus includes a control unit. The control unit includes a calculating section, a price-reduction executing section, and a price-reduction informing section. The calculating section calculates a total amount of selling prices of purchased commodities on the basis of commodity data of the purchased commodities stored in a storing section. The price-reduction executing section reduces, if the total amount exceeds a reference amount and a price reduction target commodity is included in the purchased commodities, a selling price of the target commodity. The price-reduction informing section generates screen data for informing that the price reduction is performed. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059693 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVENTORY AND RETURN OF LOST ITEMS - In one embodiment, a system and method for monitoring lost items includes a lost item database including a first memory operable to store lost item information and a second memory operable to store recovery item information and a processor operable to (i) receive the lost item information and the recovery item information; (ii) associate a status indicator with the lost item associated with the lost item information and the forgotten item with the recovery item information; (iii) browse or search the lost item database to compare the lost item information and the recovery item information; (iv) determine whether there is a match between the lost item information and the recovery item information; (v) facilitating transmission of an electronic recovery notification to a patron device of an establishment if there is a match; and (vi) automatically update the status indicator to indicate the lost item and the forgotten item have been recovered. | 03-08-2012 |
20120066033 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO EVALUATE AND PROVIDE FUNDS IN ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a lending or cash advance system that can be (but is not required to be) integrated with an online commerce site. Sellers on the online commerce site can click a button or tab in their web browser that is visiting the online commerce site and information known to the online commerce site is automatically shared with a potential cash provider. The information can include sales data related to the seller's business on the online commerce site that can be applied to a formula used by a cash provider to evaluate the risk associated with lending the seller cash. A financial account used by the seller can rapidly receive the cash loan (if approved) and payments received by the seller from buyers would go into this financial account which is then used to automatically pay the cash provider back at agreed upon terms. | 03-15-2012 |
20120066034 | ONLINE ACCOUNT TO MOBILE DEVICE LINK - Systems for and methods of linking an electronic device to an online account using a unique device identifier, and Internet Protocol (IP) address, and online account information such as an email address. | 03-15-2012 |
20120066035 | RF FINGERPRINTS FOR CONTENT LOCATION - Content Management Systems (CMSs) can be configured to edit available content. The CMS can be provided as a web interface so that content can be rapidly updated. User data can be collected associated with an individual user or one or more specific locations. Examples include information related to venue traffic, efficacy of floor plan and layout, store placement, advertising rates as a function of location, lease rates, user demographics, user purchasing habits, and other user profiles. | 03-15-2012 |
20120072270 | Ad Wallet - In general, this specification relates to content presentation. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of presenting a first content item to a first device associated with a user; receive a input from the first device indicating that the first content item has been stored in a repository of the first device; in response to the input, synchronizing the repository of the first device with a user account including the first content item; receiving a request for one or more content items stored in the user account from a second device associated with the user; presenting the requested content items on the second device associated with the user including the first content item; and receiving an indication of a conversion event associated with the presented first content item on the second device. | 03-22-2012 |
20120072271 | SYSTEM, METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AN ELECTRONIC, CROWDSOURCED MARKETING CAMPAIGN - A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for receiving a discount at a wireless device. The discount may be redeemable at a merchant. The discount may be part of a marketing campaign which defines a number of discounts receivable and potentially redeemable by the wireless device. A first discount may be redeemable by a first wireless device which initiated the marketing campaign. A second discount may be redeemable by at least one second wireless device, which is different than the first wireless device. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078687 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOWEST COST AGGREGATE ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION - A method, apparatus and computer program product for determining lowest cost aggregate energy demand reduction at multiple network levels such as distribution and feeder networks. An algorithm for an optimal incentive mechanism offered to energy customers (e.g. of a utility power entity) that accounts for heterogeneous customer flexibility in load reduction, with the demand response realized via the utility's rebate signal and, accounts for temporal aspects of demand shift in response for rebates. A mathematical formulation of a cost minimization problem is solved to provide incentives for customers to reduce their demand. A gradient descent algorithm is used to solve for the optimal incentives customized for individual end users. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078688 | Method of Delivering Goods and Services Via Media - A method for distributing a prescription pharmaceutical product includes recording a unique identifier in a database that identifies a medium and a prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. The database is provisioned with criteria that establish different potential values for the medium. Thus, the medium has a variable value that varies according to the criteria provisioned in the database. A holder of the medium then presents the medium to a provider of the prescription pharmaceutical product. Upon receipt the medium, the provider communicates the unique identifier associated with the medium. Based on the unique identifier of the medium and the variable value criteria provisioned in the database, the value of the medium is determined and communicated to the provider. The holder then utilizes the determined value to purchase the prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078689 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS OF SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES BY ALLOWING THE DEVICE MANUFACTURER TO CONTROL DIGITAL ADVERTISING ON THE DEVICE - Systems, methods and devices for reducing a price of an electronic device by allowing a device manufacturer to control digital advertising on the electronic device are disclosed. Such systems, methods, and devices may include presenting content on a display, the content having an embedded commercial. Further, embodiments may include detecting the embedded commercial with a screening engine and a screening circuit and providing the screening engine and screening circuit with device advertisement (AD) content by the AD content engine. Additional embodiments may include replacing the embedded commercial with the device AD content by the screening engine and screening circuit. Moreover, selecting the device AD is based on user information by the AD content engine as well as tracking the viewing of the AD content by a tracking module. | 03-29-2012 |
20120084122 | COUPON INTEGRATION WITH SHOPPING LISTS - In an embodiment, an application receives data indicating that a user has selected a coupon offer. The application identifies an item that is associated with the selected coupon offer. In response, the application adds the item to a shopping list for the user. In an embodiment, an application receives data indicating an item that has been added to a shopping list. The application identifies one or more coupon offers based on data associated with the item. In response, the application presents the one or more coupon offers to the user. Responsive to presenting the one or more coupon offers to the user, the application receives selection, from the user, of a particular coupon offer of the one or more coupon offers. In response to the user selecting the particular coupon offer, the application generates a print or electronic coupon for the particular coupon offer. | 04-05-2012 |
20120089441 | IMAGING PRODUCT LAYOUT METHOD - A method of providing communications to groups of people includes forming a group of people, communicating a product offering to each person in the group, each communication including response information for purchasing the product, using a processor and communication network to identify people in the group that purchased the offered product without using the response information, and using a processor to count the number of persons in the group, the number of product purchases in response to the communication using the response information, and the number of identified people in the group to determine a communication favorability score. | 04-12-2012 |
20120089442 | DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED ACCOUNTABILITY AND REWARDS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system for driving while distracted accountability and rewards, in one example embodiment, comprises a user interface between an administrator and an accountability and rewards service, a communication module to receive, from the administrator via the user interface, parameters to establish an accountability and rewards policy for a user associated with a mobile device, with the parameters including a mobile device identifier, a policy enforcement module to apply the accountability and rewards policy to the user associated with the mobile device, with the policy enforcement module determining whether or not the user is complying with the accountability and rewards policy by detecting an attempt to use the mobile device while driving a vehicle at a speed exceeding a predetermined threshold speed. The policy enforcement module may determine, using an accelerometer native to the mobile device, that an orientation of the mobile device is face down, and, based on the determination, establish that the user is complying with the accountability and rewards policy. Alternatively, the compliance is established based on whether a mobile application associated with the policy is running in the foreground or background. The system may further include a reward module to selectively submit reward amounts to a reward center in exchange for the ability of the user to redeem the reward amounts through the reward center, based on the compliance for a predetermined period of time. | 04-12-2012 |
20120089443 | Method of Delivering Goods and Services Via Media - A method for distributing a prescription pharmaceutical product includes recording a unique identifier in a database that identifies a medium and a prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. The database is provisioned with criteria that establish different potential values for the medium. Thus, the medium has a variable value that varies according to the criteria provisioned in the database. A holder of the medium then presents the medium to a provider of the prescription pharmaceutical product. Upon receipt the medium, the provider communicates the unique identifier associated with the medium. Based on the unique identifier of the medium and the variable value criteria provisioned in the database, the value of the medium is determined and communicated to the provider. The holder then utilizes the determined value to purchase the prescription pharmaceutical product associated with the medium. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095813 | LOCAL POWER GENERATION BUSINESS METHOD - A business method to expand upon prior art methods of billing a utility customer's energy consumption from local power generation energy sources such as wind and solar systems. The invention discerns energy generated locally and energy consumed from a wide area energy source, utility or COOP. The invention allows power generated locally by leased, owned, or rented power generation equipment at the utility customer's location to be measured and billed to the customer at a separate rate than that charged by the utility to the customer. A well-engineered system will locally generate enough power to offset the utility's charges, lower the power customer's power costs and will provide revenue to the local power generation equipment provider by a power billing presented to the utility customer. The invention may utilize any power generation method such as electric, gas, oil, biomass, and or thermal. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095814 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEFINING, DISTRIBUTING AND REDEEMING SMS AND MMS COUPONS - A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows advertisers to define and distribute Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem the received coupons, where such SMS and MMS coupons are used by businesses to promote their products and services to consumers. | 04-19-2012 |
20120101874 | Charger With Data Transfer Capabilities - Gastric apparatus ( | 04-26-2012 |
20120101875 | STORED VALUE EXCHANGE METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus and method for exchanging one form of stored value for another form of value. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for providing stored-value account information to a first remote entity and to a second remote entity. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving a first offer to exchange at least some of the stored value for another form of value from the first remote entity and for receiving a second offer to exchange at least some of the stored value for another form of value from the second remote entity. The apparatus additionally comprises means for accepting one of the offers. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101876 | METHOD OF MANAGING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT INVENTORY - A method of managing an inventory of household products through virtual storage, such as in a virtual refrigerator, freezer, pantry, using electronic devices such as a smart phone. The virtual storage includes at least one of a description of each product in the virtual storage; the date each product was purchased; the expiration date of each product; and the freshness level of each product, including whether each product is still fresh, needs to be used within a certain time period, or needs to be thrown out. Related features include generation of shopping lists, coupons and recipes for a consumer based on the products in virtual storage or depleted therefrom. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101877 | Symbiotic Mass Marketing - The present invention relates to certain methods and systems for promoting the sale of goods and services. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, such methods generally comprise the steps of (1) selling a first good or service to a customer for a discounted price that is less than a standard price, (2) establishing a sales goal (which represents an amount of desired sales of a second good or service to customers during a promotional period), and (3) issuing a credit to, or receiving a payment from, each participating customer based on a level of success achieved towards the sales goal. The invention provides that the extent to which the sales goal is achieved depends on the aggregate sales of the second good or service to the public at large, and is not dependent upon the sales or activity of any single customer. | 04-26-2012 |
20120109723 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGEMENT OF CREDIT GROUPS - A group management system for managing credit transactions for groups of lenders, borrowers, and/or referencers is described. The system allows the formation of credit groups comprised of one or more of lenders, borrowers, and/or referencers. The system monitors group performance and provides rewards and incentives when milestones are reached. When the group is underperforming, the system allows modification of group paramaters to improve performance. In one embodiment, the system tracks group metrics and provides information to aid in achieving an optimal group configuration. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109724 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZED FLIGHT PLANNING - A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and optimization of flight plans is disclosed. Information regarding a plurality of previous flight plans is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database preferably includes aviation fuel price information, aircraft performance information, and aviation weather information as well. Upon receiving a request, a server generates at least an optimized portion of a flight plan. In one form, historical flight plan data of others is automatically used to aid in the determination of the optimized route offered to the user for review, with the resulting final flight plan being electronically filed with the FAA upon approval. In a further form, the user may arrange fuel transactions at intermediate destinations with the service provider receiving a fee in exchange for facilitating the transaction. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109725 | AFFILIATE REWARD DIVIDING APPARATUS, AFFILIATE REWARD DIVIDING SYSTEM, AFFILIATE REWARD DIVIDING METHOD, AFFILIATE REWARD DIVIDING PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A problem that a load on an affiliate server increases when an affiliate reward is divided among a plurality of people is solved. When a user purchases a commodity or receives service in an EC site, an affiliate reward dividing apparatus adds a full amount of a reward to one of a poster database and an introducer database on the basis of a dividing ratio stored in an affiliate database. A computation of referring to a dividing ratio for each reward and dividing a reward, and a process of accumulating a divided reward in each data base is not necessary, so that a load on a system can be lessened. | 05-03-2012 |
20120123826 | Shopping Cart Accountability Using Coupon Incentives with Participation Option - A system and method encourage shopper compliance with a monitoring schedule is provided. When signing up for a customer loyalty card, a shopper is invited to participate in an incentive program. The incentive program provides more valuable benefits to the shopper compared to customers who do not opt-in to the incentive program. More valuable benefits are awarded in exchange for the shopper agreeing to an enhanced level of monitoring as part of the monitoring schedule used while the shopper is in the store. Detectors communicate shopper and cart information to a controller and a computer when the shopper retrieves a cart from a cart corral. Upon completion of the monitoring schedule, the system provides the shopper with various benefits under the incentive program as long as the shopper has opted-in to the incentive program. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123827 | System and Method for an Electronic Gift Key - A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to non-physical content is presented. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The gift key includes a decorative cover, an integrated circuit, and an antenna or physical connector. The local system is a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV. A gift key could be disposed along a box, a bag, a ribbon, an envelope, or a gift wrapping or configured as a sticker with an adhesive backing. | 05-17-2012 |
20120130778 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING AND MANAGING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - A method and system is provided which can analyze customer data, including information about current products and agreements of the customer. The customer data can be used to predict various unknown parameters, including product usage data. The customer data and predicted data can be used to generate various alert conditions. For example, an alert can be generated when a product's predicted usage data for a future time indicates that usage terms of a related agreement will be exceeded. Also for example, an alert can be generated when a replacement product or agreement can be provided to a customer at an attractive price. An interactive deal sheet for an alert can be generated. The interactive deal sheet can allow a user to view various replacement products and agreements, and to perform additional calculations and comparisons based on inputted parameters. | 05-24-2012 |
20120136698 | Barcode enabled coupon search, retrieval, presentation and redemption via telecommunications devices - Methods and systems for barcode enabled coupon search, retrieval, presentation, and redemption via telecommunications devices. One system includes using a mobile phone camera to scan product barcodes and retrieve a matching coupon. The system further includes a coupon server that supplies coupon matching bar coder search request, along with supplying and displaying competing sponsor coupons alongside user's primary product coupon. The system further includes the presentation and redemption of said coupon on mobile devices. The system further includes real-time sharing of barcode retrieved coupons with users friends on internet Websites. Finally, the system includes the production of data analytics to predict user shopping habits. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136699 | On-Line System of Coupon Placement and Redemption - A coupon management system in which online or print coupons can be generated by manufacturers and accessed by shoppers wherein a portion of the coupon redemption value is automatically sent to charitable causes that the shopper has pre-selected, and wherein the coupons can be individually tracked to the specific shopper who has redeemed them. In this system, payment is based on actual coupon redemption, rather than on sales of simple print or webpage space, or upon coupons simply being viewed or printed by potential shoppers. This system enables manufacturers to access detailed consumer metrics. | 05-31-2012 |
20120143656 | GROUP AGGREGATION LEVERAGING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention are directed to group aggregation leveraging methods and systems for consumers to buy products from a broker. The broker offers a product to consumers for a first fixed price for a predetermined time period. Once a predetermined number of consumers commit to purchasing the product (i.e., reach a threshold), the consumers receive the same product at a second fixed price wherein the second fixed price is less than the first fixed price. Once the threshold is met, each committed consumer receives an alert from the broker that the consumer will receive the same product at the new reduced price (second fixed price). This process is repeated until the predetermined time period expires or inventory of the product is depleted. Consumers may leverage their collective group buying power by communicating to others that the product is available for the predetermined time period through social media or any other suitable means. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143657 | PARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A parking system comprising a plurality of parking apparatuses associated with respective ones of a plurality of parking bays, each parking apparatus comprising an electronic display, and a sensor having a sensor output indicative of whether a vehicle is parked in the parking bay, and a parking controller in data communication with each sensor and each display, the parking controller arranged to receive a parking request that enables the parking controller to identify a parking bay, process the parking request to determine whether to initiate a parking session in respect of the parking bay, and control the display associated with the parking bay to indicate that a parking session has been initiated upon initiation of a parking session. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143658 | ON NET FAXING - Distribution of electronic documents is described, including receiving an electronic document to be distributed, identifying whether a destination identifier is associated with a destination account among a known group of customer accounts, routing the electronic document, and calculating a fee associated with delivery of the electronic document based on whether the destination account is among the known group of customers and a set of billing rules. The set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to each of a known group of customer accounts. In other aspects, the set of billing rules may specify a discounted fee for routing an electronic document to a first group of the known group of customer accounts and specify a standard fee for a second group of the known group of customer accounts. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143659 | COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE AND METHOD AND DATA STORAGE MEDIUM FOR OPERATION THEREOF - In a method for operating a computed tomography device for reducing the load on at least one technical component of the computed tomography device during operation of the at least one technical component, as well as a computed tomography device and a data storage medium that implement such a method, for at least one scan parameter of the computed tomography device affecting the at least one technical component an extreme value is defined, the method being an operating mode for the computed tomography device is selected in which the settable value for the at least one scan parameter affecting the at least one technical component is limited to a certain percentage below or above the extreme value for the operation of the at least one technical component. | 06-07-2012 |
20120150591 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAVING ADVERTISEMENTS - Methods, machine-readable media, apparatuses and systems are provided to save electronic advertisements selected by a user. An electronic advertisement displayed with a first application of a mobile device of the user is received after selection of a save option associated with the electronic advertisement. The electronic advertisement is saved. The electronic advertisement is provided to the mobile device after receipt of a command from a second application of the mobile device. The electronic advertisements may include any type of incentive or offer, including coupons. | 06-14-2012 |
20120150592 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USER MARKETING AND ENDORSEMENT ON SOCIAL NETWORKS - An endorsement system is provided for enabling a user to manage endorsements and promotions. In an embodiment, the user may be able to embed a logo of a company within the user's profile picture within a social network. Such user, displaying the logo of a company may thus act as an endorser of the company, and in exchange the company may offer the user certain incentives for such endorsement. The endorsement may be viewed by the user's friends of connections within a social network. In one embodiment, the endorsement system includes an administration system, the administration system including one or more modules to permit a user to create a profile, manage the user's profile, and manage endorsements. | 06-14-2012 |
20120150593 | SENDING TARGETED PRODUCT OFFERINGS BASED ON PERSONAL INFORMATION - Targeted products are offered over a communications network. Product data for a plurality of products from a plurality of distributors for the products is received. Customer data from a plurality of customers comprising personal information about customers is received. Using the data, at least one user-specific product offering from the plurality of products is generated. Automated messages comprising the at least one user-specific product offering to the one or more customers are then sent. | 06-14-2012 |
20120158468 | Method Of Providing Access Management In An Electronic Apparatus - A method of providing access management in an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a platform for running an application; an access manager for handling access of a user to the application; and a set of access permissions stored in the apparatus and used by the access manager for controlling access of the user to applications. The method includes linking the entry permissions to the application, apparatus or device administrator, and allowing the user access to the application only after predetermined access permissions are satisfied. A method of providing reward management by means of an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a platform for running an application; a reward manager maintaining a reward account for the user; and a set of reward opportunities stored in the apparatus and used by the reward manager to provide incentives to the user. The method may include linking the reward opportunities to the application, and crediting the reward account only after a reward opportunity is satisfied. A method for providing reward management for an apparatus is disclosed. The method may include linking a reward manager to an application residing on the apparatus, providing the reward manager with a reward account, wherein the reward account accumulates reward opportunities plus reward credits, and crediting the reward account only after a reward opportunity is satisfied. | 06-21-2012 |
20120158469 | CONVERTING DIGITAL VOUCHERS TO TANGIBLE VOUCHERS - In some examples, a method of converting a digital voucher to a tangible voucher is described. The method may include receiving data indicating successful acquisition of a digital voucher from a voucher server. The method may also include receiving input effective to select the digital voucher for conversion to a tangible voucher. The method may also include sending data identifying the selected digital voucher and recipient data designating a recipient of the tangible voucher to the voucher server. The voucher server may be configured to coordinate production and delivery of the tangible voucher to the designated recipient. | 06-21-2012 |
20120166257 | EXERCISE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, EXERCISE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An exercise management apparatus includes, a storage unit that stores information that identifies an item selected by a user and a target level of an amount of exercise determined by the user, a determination unit that receives the amount of exercise measured according to exercise by the user and determining whether the received amount of exercise has reached the target level stored in the storage unit, and a notification unit that transmits notification information including information about the item stored in the storage unit to the user through a network when the determination unit determines that the received amount of exercise has reached the target level. | 06-28-2012 |
20120166258 | TOKEN LICENSING MAPPING COSTS TO ENABLED SOFTWARE TOOL FEATURES - A request to activate a software tool can be received, where activation requires a quantity of tokens of a token license model. An entity, project, user-set, user, or combination thereof corresponding to the request can be ascertained. A feature-set to be enabled can be determined by querying preexisting indexed records. The preexisting indexed records can associate different feature-sets to different entities, projects, user-sets, users, or combinations thereof. A token cost can be computed for activating the software tool with the feature-set enabled for the request. Token costs for utilizing the software tool can vary depending upon the enabled feature-set. The computed token cost can be the quantity of tokens required to activate the software tool responsive to the request. | 06-28-2012 |
20120173308 | OPTIMIZING PACKAGE DELIVERY USING SOCIAL NETWORKS - In an embodiment of the invention, a method for optimizing package delivery using social networks is provided. The method includes receiving an order to purchase a product by a purchaser in an e-commerce computing application executing in memory of a host server from over a computer communications network, retrieving a list of social networking contacts for the purchaser, determining whether or not a contact amongst the social networking contacts has ordered a product from the e-commerce computing application, and rendering a prompt in the e-commerce computing application to the purchaser to consolidate shipment of the product ordered by the purchaser with a product ordered by the contact in response to determining that the contact has also ordered a product from the e-commerce computing application not yet shipped to the contact. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173309 | Residual Value Bidding System - A sponsor provides items to a residual value bidding system, which allows an auction to auction the items to bidders. Value expended to bid on the item, such as through a pay-per-bid model may be returned as a giftcard to the sponsor's store. Incentives may be used to encourage bidding, such as a coupon that gains value as more bids are placed. The coupons may be time dated to encourage immediate redemption. Sponsored auctions may also be limited to geography or demographics. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173310 | Deal quality for event tickets - A deal value metric (or “deal score”) enables consumers to identify the quality of a ticket listing, and facilitates direct comparison of available event tickets having varying quality throughout a venue. The deal value metric disclosed herein also permits simultaneous comparison of tickets among multiple similar events, and provides a helpful critierion to supplement conventional search filters such as location or price. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173311 | AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE FOR PROVIDING SERVICE USING TWO-DIMENSIONAL BARCODE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE - An automatic teller machine (ATM) providing a service using a two-dimensional (2D) barcode and an operation method thereof may be provided. The ATM may include a scanning unit to scan a 2D barcode from a mobile terminal in response to a request for a transaction request, and a processor to determine a requested financial transaction from the scanned 2D barcode, and to provide a display unit with a service screen supporting the determined financial transaction. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173312 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MEDIA FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL BADGES - Systems, methods, and media for facilitating virtual badges within e-commerce systems associated with enterprises are provided herein. Methods may include providing a virtual badge that is displayable via a graphical user interface, the virtual badge being provided in response to at least one action executed by the consumer within an e-commerce system, the virtual badge comprising a visual representation that is based upon user profile data associated with the consumer. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173313 | METHOD FOR ADVERTISING ON DIGITAL CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND REDUCING COSTS TO THE END USER - The present invention relates to a method for displaying messages, such as advertisements, consumer promotions, and customer service announcements, on digital wireless communication devices, such as digital cellular telephones. One method includes downloading wirelessly a single database containing a plurality of graphical interactive advertising contents. The plurality of graphical interactive advertising contents are stored to a mobile wireless communications device. At least one graphical interactive advertising content is displayed a particular time period the display of the mobile wireless communication device. The mobile wireless communication device is connected to a mobile communications medium upon user activation of the at least one graphic interactive advertising content. | 07-05-2012 |
20120179516 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTIVE AND GROUP DISCOUNT PROCESSING MANAGEMENT - Discount processing auction methods and systems are provided where buyers pool their purchasing power in order to get more competitive offers from sellers. Instead of sellers directly bidding for the buyer's shopping lists, the sellers update their discount rules and a discount processing method processes the sellers' latest discount rules and presents the results to the buyers while the auction is active. Buyers dynamically form a group and invite others to join the group to increase their purchasing power and maximize the discounts. Customers can form a social network with other buyers to share wish-lists, shopping carts, and discount scenarios. Consumers who commit to buy a total number of items over a period of time increase their effective purchasing power across time. Sellers also group together to offer higher total discount on a combination of items to buyers. | 07-12-2012 |
20120185303 | Method of advertising, marketing and promoting organized sport(s) - A sport team(s) offers its properties for sport team(s) sponsors, where code(s) advertising, marketing and promoting system is created and offers to sport fan(s) and sport fan association(s), where sport fan(s) earn points and/or money that may be used for attending/watching the future game(s) or for other fan(s) needs. | 07-19-2012 |
20120185304 | Disposal mode ecological impact monitoring - Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for monitoring ecological impact of disposal of a product by a user may implement operations including, but not limited to: determining a disposal mode of at least a portion of a physical product associated with a user; and associating an ecological impact quantification associated with the disposal mode with a user account associated with the user. | 07-19-2012 |
20120185305 | PROVIDING CONSUMERS WITH INCENTIVES FOR HEALTHY EATING HABITS - A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual. | 07-19-2012 |
20120191512 | LOCATION TAGGING - A method and system for verifying an indoor position using Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), access points (AP), and Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS). The goal of this method is to determine if a user is in the place where he claims to be by using a mobile device. When a user wants his location to be verified he activates a scanning process on his mobile device that reads all the requested signals (WLAN, A-GPS). When the recording process is complete the information is sent to a server where it is processed and the user location is either confirmed to be true or false. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191513 | Systems and Methods for Multi-Merchant Discount Payments - The present invention relates to systems and methods for discount multi-merchant gift card management. The system includes registering a number of merchants, issuing a card with a unique identifier to a user after receiving a payment of a discounted amount, which is less than full face value of the card such that the user realizes the discount at the time of purchase, and pre-funding an account corresponding to each of the of merchants. The card has purchasing power equal to its face value at any of the registered merchants. The card is then used to make a purchase at a merchant, and the issuer receives a communication of the transaction, which is then processed. The card itself may be any of a smart card, a virtual card, an application on a mobile device, or a physical card. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197688 | Systems and Methods for Verifying Ownership of Printed Matter - The present application discloses systems and methods for verifying ownership of a printed publication. One embodiment includes receiving a first image of a portion of a printed publication from a first communications device associated with a user, the first image including an identifier uniquely associated with the user. The first image may be analyzed to verify the printed publication and to confirm that identifier is associated with the user. Some embodiments also include authenticating digital content associated with the identified publication for viewing on and/or downloading to one or more communications devices associated with the user whose associated identifier appears in the first image. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197689 | DYNAMIC SAVINGS ALLOCATION METHOD AND PURCHASING MODEL - A system and method for providing a dynamic savings allocation account. The dynamic savings allocation account includes customer-defined savings categories within the account that act as sub-accounts. The customer may create savings categories and set parameters such as the goal amount to be reached, the time to reach the goal, how much or what percentage to be allocated to each category per deposit, etc. As the customer deposits funds into the dynamic savings allocation account, the deposit is automatically allocated to each savings category as defined by the customer. As goals are reached, customers may opt to take advantage of group purchasing benefits offered by the financial institution for some in-demand items. Alternatively, the financial institution, in partnering with third-party vendors may perform targeted sales campaigns. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197690 | Method of Operating a Navigation System to Provide Advertisements - A method of operating a navigation system to provide an advertisement is disclosed. A desired arrival time at a destination is obtained, and the advertisement is selected from an advertisement database. The advertisement includes an incentive to visit a point of interest associated with the advertisement to obtain a product or a service. A travel time from a current location of the navigation system to the destination including traveling to the point of interest to obtain the product or the service is determined, and a new arrival time at the destination is determined. If the new arrival time is before the desired arrival time, the advertisement is provided. If the new arrival time is after the desired arrival time, the advertisement is not provided and another advertisement is requested by the system. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197691 | MOBILE WALLET PAYMENT VEHICLE PREFERENCES - In general, apparatuses, methods and computer program products for making contactless financial transactions utilizing a mobile wallet are disclosed. Particularly, a mobile wallet application is disclosed that utilizes, at least in part, user specific data to generate a payment vehicle recommendation for different transactions. The user specific data may include the active user profile, prior payment vehicle usage, user preferences for the type of transaction, user location, rewards programs associated with use of one or more payment vehicles, or the like, or combinations thereof. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197692 | CREDIT SWAP IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - Rewards, which can be virtual currency which can include items, on one website are transferred to be used on another website. The one website on which the rewards are earned has reciprocity with other websites, and can send those rewards to another website, either associated with the user's own account, or with someone else's account. In one embodiment, the rewards can be transferred even if the user who earns those rewards does not participate in the website that is receiving the transfer. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197693 | ELECTRICITY TRANSFER SYSTEM NETWORK AND RELATED METHODS - Some embodiments include an electricity transfer system network. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197694 | SYSTEM TO SOLICIT COMMITMENT TO POST INFORMATION - Products and processes are provided in which an award for a commitment from an entity to post information, via a posting site, at or before a subsequent time is offered to an entity. In response to receiving the commitment, the award is provided to the entity. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197695 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SALES OF GOODS BY INDEPENDENT PARTIES - Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for pricing a good offered for sale by a seller. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving from a seller, via a communications network, data identifying a good offered for sale by the seller at an unspecified fixed price to be determined by a marketeer controller as a function of a third party's price for a comparable good. The method further includes querying a third party to determine a price for a comparable good and receiving, via the communications network, the third party's price for the comparable good. The marketeer controller is used to establishing a sale price for the good based on the third party price for the comparable good. | 08-02-2012 |
20120203601 | LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLACING ENERGY CONSUMPTION USING NATURAL LIGHTING FIXTURES - A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party. | 08-09-2012 |
20120209668 | DYNAMICALLY SERVING CONTENT TO SOCIAL NETWORK MEMBERS - From a third-party process within a social network having a platform policy, a graph of a social network member is queried. The results of the query are passed to a matching process, without violating the platform policy. Content is requested from the process. In response to passing the results, a description of content is received. The content is caused to be made available to the social network member. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209669 | CONFIGURABLE ADVERTISING AND CONTENT RENDERING - Systems and methods that facilitates advertising of products are disclosed. Such a system can include a rendering component that visually displays an item of content associated with the product and a content management component that provides the item of content to the rendering component. The system can retrieve and display content by way of an on-board memory, Internet (or network) source, peer-to-peer source or the like. The content can be related to a product review, preview, instructions or the like. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209670 | CONFIGURABLE ADVERTISING AND CONTENT RENDERING - Systems and methods that facilitates advertising of products are disclosed. Such a system can include a rendering component that visually displays an item of content associated with the product and a content management component that provides the item of content to the rendering component. The system can retrieve and display content by way of an on-board memory, Internet (or network) source, peer-to-peer source or the like. The content can be related to a product review, preview, instructions or the like. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215597 | SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIORAL INFLUENCE - Embodiments of the invention are directed to monitoring selected activity of a user of one or more social networks and providing offers to the user based on such selected activities. For example, selected activities could be the number of other users of the social network that are associated with the user, the number of posts entered by the user on the social network, the number of other users that respond to a post by the user, a type of product, service, or event that the user either selects or enters a posting for, and/or associations the user has with other selected users of the social network. In some embodiments, financial data associated with the user and other users of the social network may be analyzed to determine the user's influence on other users of the social network and provide offers to the user based on such influence. | 08-23-2012 |
20120221382 | INFLUENCE BASED DISCOVERY PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The INFLUENCE BASED DISCOVERY PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“IDP”) transform content seed selections and recommendations via IDP components such as discovery and social influence into events and discovery of other contents for users and revenue for right-holders. In one embodiment, the IDP may obtain information relating to universally resolvable media content (“URMC”) social influence weighted user engagement in at least one URMC socially influencing activity. The IDP may obtain the user's social influence weight in a universally resolvable media content service and a social influence weight associated with the activity. The IDP may then update the user's social influence profile based on the activity. | 08-30-2012 |
20120221383 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A CUSTOM TRACK - A method and system for creating and editing video and/or audio tracks is described. The method includes providing at least one artist, venue, and track available for selection and providing at least one clip associated with the at least one artist, venue, and track. The method also includes allowing a user to create a custom track from the at least one clip. The system includes a plurality of video cameras for recording a live performance at a plurality of positions. The system also includes at least one server for storing a plurality of video clips created from the plurality of video cameras and an application stored on the at least one server for allowing a user to access the plurality of video clips via the Internet. | 08-30-2012 |
20120226530 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COUPON-LESS DISCOUNTS BASED ON A USER BROADCASTED MESSAGE - The systems and methods provide an offer to a user that may be accepted by the user through an action by the user. The action may be, for example, a broadcast through a social media channel. The parameters of the offer may defined that the broadcast comprise an offer identifier and may require that a user take subsequent action to fulfill the offer. The systems and methods may also be configured to monitor one or more broadcast channels, identify the source of a broadcast, identify transaction accounts associated with the source, evaluate transaction data associated with the transaction account, and provide benefits to the source and/or the transaction account. | 09-06-2012 |
20120232966 | IDENTIFYING PREDETERMINED OBJECTS IN A VIDEO STREAM CAPTURED BY A MOBILE DEVICE - A system for processing a video stream is disclosed. The system includes a processing device configured for analyzing the surrounding environment represented in the video stream for at least one predetermined object. At least one predetermined object is identified within the surrounding environment. The object(s) to be identified may be predetermined based on at least one user preference. The system alerts the user once a predetermined object is identified. Information associated with identified predetermined object is presented to the user. In one embodiment, the information is presented via augmented reality such that one or more virtual objects are superimposed over the video stream. The virtual objects may be interactive. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232967 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF PROMOTIONAL OFFERS IN A WAGERING ENVIRONMENT - Disclosed are data processing apparatus, systems, and methods implemented over a gaming network for providing for disposition of promotional offers in a wager-based gaming environment. A monitoring engine receives an identification of a promotional offer as having an unredeemed status. A determining engine determines that the promotional offer having the unredeemed status satisfies one or more parameters to designate the promotional offer for an auction. Such designation is independent of real-time wager-based game play in the gaming network. An auction control engine provides the designated promotional offer as an item to be auctioned in the wager-based gaming network. | 09-13-2012 |
20120239465 | ALLOCATING REWARDS FROM A REWARDS ACCOUNT - A method for allocating rewards across a plurality of rewards programs, each associated with one or more accounts owned by a customer, the method includes receiving customer input indicating that one or more rewards associated with a first rewards program should be associated with a second rewards program, determining a conversion factor configured for assisting conversion of the one or more rewards from the first rewards program to the second rewards program, applying, using a processing device, the conversion factor to the one or more rewards, thereby resulting in one or more converted rewards; and associating the one or more converted rewards with the second rewards program. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239466 | OFFERING SOCIAL DEALS BASED ON ACTIVITIES OF CONNECTIONS IN A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - Social networking systems allow deal providers to provide social deals that require participation by users connected via the social networking system for activation. A social deal is activated for a user based on actions performed by other users connected to the user. The actions performed by a participant of the social deal include actions related to the social deal as well as actions related to objects associated with the social deal, for example, purchasing an item, associated, checking in to a location associated with the social deal, or recommending the social deal. The social networking system may suggest potential participants in the social deal for a user. The deal may be activated by performing actions of one or more type. A threshold number of actions of each type may be required for activating the deal. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239467 | PLATFORM FOR DISTRIBUTING DEALS VIA A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - A social networking system acts as a platform for distributing deals from one or more deal providers. The users of the social networking system can interact with information describing the deals via a dashboard user interface provided by the social networking system. When users purchase deals on the social networking system's platform, the social networking system receives a portion of the deal price called the platform share and compensates the users for purchasing deals via the social networking system. The compensation may be funded from the revenue received by the social networking system for the purchases (the platform share). The compensation provided to a user may depend on social information associated with the user, such as the number of the user's connections also participating in the deal. | 09-20-2012 |
20120253893 | Identification of Borrowers for Digital Items - Digital items may be lent from one user to another. A lending system may facilitate matching users that have a digital item to lend with users that wish to borrow a digital item. Each user may have a reputation associated with his or her lending behavior that is represented as a lending metric. The lending metric may show whether a given user is primarily a lender or borrower of digital items. Heavy borrowers that do not engage in commensurate lending may be penalized. Multiple users that lend and borrow digital items from one another may be connected in a social network. The nature of a relationship in the social network may and the lending metrics of users are factors used to make lending decisions. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253894 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TAG-BASED CONTENT INSTALLATION - An approach is provided for providing tag-based content installation. The content manager causes, at least in part, reading of tag information from one or more memory tags, the one or more memory tags compliant with at least one protocol for automated content installation. Next, the content manager processes and/or facilitates a processing of the tag information to determine at least one link to one or more content items. Then, the content manager causes, at least in part, retrieval, installation, or a combination thereof of the one or more content items according to the at least one protocol. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253895 | VIRTUAL SHOPPING CART SPANNING PLURALITY OF SALES SITES - A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity. | 10-04-2012 |
20120259682 | Methods and Systems for Incentivizing an Acquisition of a Good or Service - A method for incentivizing an acquisition of a good or service includes identifying a plurality of prices for a plurality of items, the plurality of prices including a first price that is higher than a second price in the plurality of prices. The method includes associating a first reward with the first price. The method includes associating a second reward with the second price. The method includes determining to provide a refund to a first acquirer of at least one of the plurality of items at the first price when a threshold is reached. The method includes selling one of the plurality of items for the first price by offering the first reward and the refund. | 10-11-2012 |
20120265586 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MEASURE AND CONTROL POWER CONSUMPTION IN A RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL BUILDING VIA A WALL SOCKET TO ENSURE OPTIMUM ENERGY USAGE THEREIN - A system and method to measure and control power usage within a residential or commercial building plurality having of electrical circuits electrically connected to an over-current protection device to ensure optimum energy usage therein. The system and method includes a power measurement and control device electrically connected to one of the electrical circuits by which a load draws power that is operable to (i) measure an electrical parameter of the electrical circuits, (ii) compare the measured electrical parameter to an ideal electrical parameter, and (iii) adjust power supplied to one or more of the electrical circuits based on the comparison of the measured electrical parameter and the ideal electrical parameter via a wall socket. The adjustment of power may be automatic or manual deactivation, decrease, and/or increase of power supplied to the electrical circuits via the wall socket so that such is equivalent to or less than the ideal electrical parameter. | 10-18-2012 |
20120265587 | INTERACTIVE MARKING SYSTEM - The present invention is a system which enables a marketing team to initiate and sustain directed and interactive communication with thousands or millions of existing or prospective customers. In the preferred embodiment, a marketer accesses a database and selects a group of qualified prospects, using lifestyle dimensions and or demographic information, from a stable group of prospective or existing customers conducting financial transactions online. Once a prospect list is selected, the marketer designs a series of questions, typically using branch and skip logic, and the system deploys the question sequence to the target list in the form of a response-redeemable savings coupon. When prospects are next performing their financial transactions online, they are presented with a lifestyle-relevant coupon which is immediately redeemable by responding to the question/communication. | 10-18-2012 |
20120271684 | Method and System for Providing Location Targeted Advertisements - A method of providing advertisements to mobile devices is disclosed. A position of a first mobile device is obtained and one of the advertisements from an advertisement database is identified based on the position of the first mobile device. At least one friend of a first user of the first mobile device is identified, wherein the friend is associated with a second mobile device. The identified advertisement is provided to the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein the advertisement includes an incentive for both a first user of the first mobile device and a user of the second mobile device to visit together a point of interest associated with the identified advertisement. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271685 | Fuel Offering and Purchase Management System - The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases. Ultimately, a customer that purchases a fuel offering can exercise their fuel offering order at a specified price and redeem any difference between the market price for their purchased fuel and the price specified in their fuel offering order. The Fuel Offer Generator allows for the management of regional fuel price offerings and allows for fuel offering redemption based on fuel pump prices. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271686 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND WATER RESOURCES - A method of and system for providing an incentive program for conserving a consumable resource such as electricity, natural gas, oil, air or water. The present invention monitors utilization of the resource at a location, and then determines a type and quantity of variable resource points to be provided to an account associated with the location or with a participant by analyzing the monitored resource utilization with respect to a plurality of varying conditions (time-variant, location-variant, cost-variant etc.). These conditions may be independent or interdependent; these relationships will be incorporated into the calculations resulting in the award of the type and quantity of resource points determined by the Program. The resource points are then stored in an account associated with the location or with a participant for future use. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271687 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING CONSUMERS WITH ONE OR MORE PRODUCT OR SERVICE PROVIDERS - A method and apparatus that for matching consumers with product or service providers is disclosed. The method may include establishing one or more profiles from one or more product or service providers, establishing one or more profiles from one or more consumers, receiving a consumer's subject matter request, matching the consumer with one or more products or service providers based on at least one of the consumer's profile and subject matter request, and providing the consumer's contact information to the matched one or more products or service providers. | 10-25-2012 |
20120278139 | CHANGING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR WITH TARGETED OFFERS - A dynamic incentive system is described herein that uses location data, customer demographics, and other information to make real-time targeted offers to consumers to encourage particular consumer behavior. In some embodiments, the system provides incentives to attempt to modify consumer behavior. For example, a particular type of merchant may want to reach the consumers of the merchant's competitors to try to win the consumers as customers. Thus, the system may present an offer from the merchant when consumers are detected at the location of a competitor to offer the consumers an incentive to visit the merchant's store. In this way, the dynamic incentive system provides incentives to help merchants sell products and services by reaching more consumers and reaching them in new ways that are highly relevant to the consumers' current activities and location. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278140 | ENCOURAGING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR BY UNLOCKING DIGITAL CONTENT - A dynamic incentive system is described herein that uses location data, customer demographics, and other information to make real-time targeted offers to consumers to encourage particular consumer behavior. The system provides incentives for consumers to visit a particular merchant's store. The system may offer to unlock a digital content item if the consumer goes to the merchant's store. Merchants can define various offers and conditions for which the consumer can earn the incentive. Thus, the dynamic incentive system provides incentives to help merchants sell products and services by reaching more consumers and reaching them in new ways that are highly relevant to the consumers' current activities and location. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278141 | Fuel Offering and Purchase Management Sytem - The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases. Ultimately, a customer that purchases a fuel offering can exercise their fuel offering order at a specified price and redeem any difference between the market price for their purchased fuel and the price specified in their fuel offering order. While the Fuel Offer Generator may place various constraints on redemption, it will employ various consumer behavior metrics to establish the pricing of fuel offerings. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278142 | Mobile Device Content Server Method and System - Systems and Methods to deliver mobile content to consumers' mobile phone initiated by a “Call-To-Action” statement placed in non-interactive content or by a “Call-To-Action” at events or promotion campaigns. The system delivers requested content using one or more mobile communication channels. The exchange system selects additional ad content that may be of interest to consumers based on attributes of the requested content. The additional content is presented in titles form or links to mobile web pages. Tags are added to the content link and are used to trace content viewed by consumers resulting from response to the titles or links The system provides closed-loop redemption for mobile content that may contain coupons, promotions, event tickets, membership, and others. The redemption process serves as a method for collecting marketing data. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278143 | System and Method for Varying Electronic Settlements Between Buyers and Suppliers with Dynamic Discount Terms - A method of making payment. A request is received to effect payment between a buyer and a seller for a transaction having established terms. The terms include a payment amount and a settlement date. Messages are exchanged between the buyer and the seller that include an offer and acceptance of new terms for payment at other than the established terms. The new terms include an adjusted amount of payment to be made at a particular time after an event associated with the transaction. An electronic notification that the event has occurred is received, and the after the notification, payment between the buyer and seller is effected under the new terms. | 11-01-2012 |
20120284093 | System and Method For Including Advertisements In Electronic Communications - Improved techniques for targeting advertisements are provided, which take into account the content of electronic communications delivered via text messaging and/or other forms of communications. The system may automatically select advertisements based on message content, and the selected advertisements may then be displayed alongside messages, and/or embedded in or included in messages, for presentation to the sender and/or recipient of the message. Overall conversational context, including content of past messages between the parties, can be taken into account in selecting advertisements. In at least one embodiment, the content of a displayed advertisement can change dynamically in response to changes in the subject of a text conversation. Senders of messages can be rewarded for allowing advertisements to be embedded and/or displayed in connection with their messages. | 11-08-2012 |
20120290366 | OPTIMIZATION OF PURCHASE BENEFITS BY USE OF MULTIPLE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS - Systems and methods for optimization of purchase benefits by use of multiple financial accounts are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a category among multiple categories for each purchase item of multiple purchase items. The method may include determining reward program benefits associated with financial accounts. Further, the method may include associating each purchase item with one of the financial accounts based on the category of the purchase item and the reward program benefits. A purchase item may be associated with the financial account that provides the greatest monetary benefit in exchange for purchase of the purchase item. The method may also include conducting a plurality of purchase transactions for purchasing the purchase items. Each purchase transaction may use a different one of the financial accounts to purchase the purchase item(s) associated with the financial account. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290367 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING A SAVINGS GOAL - Example embodiments describe a method and a system to control activities of a financial account. In example embodiments, a secondary account is linked to a primary account. Within the secondary account, a spending account and a savings account are established. A savings goal in the savings account of the secondary account that enables a portion of the savings account of the secondary account to be set aside is created. The savings goal includes a goal amount. An automatic purchase of a product associated with the savings goal upon the goal amount being met may be allowed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296711 | METHODS FOR REDUCING THE PEAK DEMAND OF ELECTRIC UTILITIES DURING AIR CONDITIONING SEASON - A method of reducing the peak demand of electric utilities during an air conditioning season, including (a) operating electrically-powered air conditioning equipment to pre-cool a customer's building so that the pre-cooling is effective to keep the building within a desired temperature range during the entire period of the utility's peak demand and to minimize additional electrically-powered cooling of the building, (b) then substantially or completely refraining from cooling the customer's building with electrically-powered air conditioning equipment powered by the utility during the utility's entire period of peak demand later on the same day the building is pre-cooled, and (c) providing the customer of the electric utility with a financial incentive from the utility to carry out (a) and (b). | 11-22-2012 |
20120310713 | PRESENTING OFFERS TO CONSUMERS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM A VEHICLE - An automotive incentive system is described herein that uses vehicle information, location data, customer demographics, and other information to make real-time targeted offers to consumers to encourage particular consumer behavior. The system focuses on the delivery of targeted offers to consumers based on information available from the automobile and geographic information from the car. The system receives vehicle-based information and potentially along with other information identifies one or more offers to provide to the consumer. The system provides an interface through which merchants can add offers to the system and define criteria of consumers and environmental data that trigger each offer. The merchant can specify each of these criteria as well as a corresponding offer. Thus, the automotive incentive system provides consumers with highly relevant offers related to vehicle information and provides merchants with strong sales leads for their products and services. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310714 | COUPON REDEEMABLE UPON COMPLETION OF A PREDETERMINED THRESHOLD OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - A coupon for providing an incentive for a user to participate in physical activity. The coupon detects the physical activity of a user and indicates to the user when the threshold of physical activity has been reached. Once the coupon has indicated that the threshold has been reached, the user may redeem the coupon for a reward. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310715 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN ELECTRONIC COUPON SYSTEM - A coupon delivery and redemption system provides, (i) for wireless delivery of a product coupon file with the coupons of the product merchants to customers' wireless mobile devices from a coupon system anywhere, at home or in store while shopping, (ii) for customer to search and select for display a product coupon from the coupon file, (iii) for coupon redemptions by retail merchants by scanning the coupon bar code from the wireless device screen, (iv) for validation of the coupon for one time use by interfacing of the retail merchant system with the coupon system, (iv) for the product merchant to receive coupon redemption data from the coupon system, and (v) for the retail merchant to receive aggregate funds for redeemed coupons via the coupon system for an efficient and convenient paperless coupon system. | 12-06-2012 |
20120316932 | WELLNESS APPLICATION FOR DATA-CAPABLE BAND - A wellness application for a personal wearable data-capable band is described, including an aggregation engine configured to aggregate user activity data from a plurality of sources, the aggregation engine comprising one or more modules configured to process the user activity data to determine an aggregate value, and a user interface configured to display a graphical representation using the aggregate value. | 12-13-2012 |
20120316933 | METHOD FOR PROMOTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE THROUGH SOCIAL REWARD MEDIATION - Disclosed herein are methods and systems for influencing behavior in social settings. The method/system gathers information about the behavior of socially connected entities/individuals, for example, and computes monetary rewards, for example, to distribute to these individuals, thus giving them incentive to adopt a particular behavior. Examples of applications include health insurance, car insurance, power production, weight-loss programs, and public utilities. These methods and systems can be twice as efficient in terms of effect per cost as compared to previous approaches. These methods and systems can improve overall quality of service among computer networks. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323644 | System And Method For Providing Discounted Products, Product Trials, and Product Samples - A method utilizing a computer-implemented platform to provide, in electronic form, a notification to a consumer of the availability of one or more products on a discounted basis, receive, from the consumer in electronic form, a selection of one or more of the products, and provide a certificate to the consumer entitling the consumer to obtain the selected one or more products on a free or reduced cost basis. The certificate may, for example, be provided in an electronic format or may be a magnetic strip card. The certificate may be reloadable, such that it can be subsequently modified and associated with subsequent offers for one or more products on a discounted basis. In additional or alternative embodiments, the certificate is a single load multiple transaction certificate, wherein the certificate is initially loaded with a predetermined value, which decrements in predetermined portions based on triggering events. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323645 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANTICIPATORY PACKAGE SHIPPING - A method and system for anticipatory package shipping are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package to the destination geographical area without completely specifying the delivery address at time of shipment, and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address for the package. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323646 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMATED CREDITING TO CUSTOMERS FOR WAITING - A method and structure for reducing customer dissatisfaction for waiting includes a queue monitoring subsystem which detects an entry of a customer into a waiting queue. A reward computing subsystem calculates a reward for the customer for being in the waiting queue, and a communication subsystem communicates the reward to the customer. At least one of subsystems is automated. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323647 | ANALYZING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR INVOLVING USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH CONTENT - Social networking users are rewarded with points for creating content or commenting on the content of other social networking users. The rewards engine may be a part of a social networking site, or may be a stand-alone system which may be used by social networking sites to offer rewards to users. Upon receiving an event including a user and event type, the system determines a point value, instantly and/or in the future. Different point values may be assigned to different event types, or points may be awarded based upon the measured impact over time, or points may be awarded according to user votes. Points may be awarded for enrolling, making new friends, creating content, commenting on content, among other event types. Points may be revoked for deleting content or blocking users, among other event types. A hierarchy of point values may assign fewer or greater points to particular event types. | 12-20-2012 |
20130006727 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SOCIAL FILTERING OF GEOBOOKMARKS - A computer-implemented method and system of providing geobookmarks to a user of an online community are described. The method may include: displaying a graphical user interface screen on a user device, the graphical user interface screen including a location interface with a first set of geobookmarks; displaying a trust guide within the graphical user interface screen, the trust guide configured to allow the user to make a selection to filter available data; and updating the location interface with a second set of geobookmarks if the selection from the user is received. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006728 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GOAL BASED SAVINGS - A method, performed by a server, for incentivizing school performance includes receiving score information corresponding to a student from a first user terminal and adding score information to a student profile corresponding to the student in a database. A credit adjustment value is calculated based on the received score information and a new total number of credits stored in the student profile is set to a sum of the credit adjustment value and a total number of credits previously stored in the student profile. A request for merchant offer information corresponding to the student profile is received from a second user terminal. For each of at least one merchant, a respective merchant offer is generated according to at least a portion of the total number of credits set in the student profile and information corresponding to the merchant. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006729 | Network Based Ambient Services - Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a network device implements a service profile for assisting control of a communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan for the communications device that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan for the communications device; and monitors use of the service by the communications device based on the service profile. | 01-03-2013 |
20130013382 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN DELIVERING ENERGY TO AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE WITHIN A PARKING AREA - A method of delivering energy to an electric vehicle with a charging device positioned within a parking area having a plurality of parking spaces is provided. The method includes calculating, by a parking validation device, a parking cost associated with a parking space used by the electric vehicle. An energy cost associated with an amount of energy delivered by the charging device to the electric vehicle is calculated. A retail transaction cost associated with an amount of retail purchases made at one or more commercial retail stores is calculated. The parking validation device determines whether to waive at least one of the calculated parking cost and the calculated energy cost based at least in part on the calculated retail transaction cost. | 01-10-2013 |
20130018706 | System and Apparatus for Linking Multiple Rewards Programs to Promote the Purchase of Specific Product Mixes - A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018707 | SELECTIVE COMMUNICATION OF MESSAGES - A message originator may generate messaging data for selective communication by a messaging provider via an interface generated by a browser software application. The user may also interact with various content providers such that event data is generated based on the user interaction with each content provider. The messaging provider can then obtain the messaging data and the event data to determine a target set of messages to be published. Additionally, the messaging provider can select a set of message recipients to receive, or otherwise access, the target set of messages based on filtering criteria submitted by the message originator, content provider, service provider, and/or message recipients. Credit may be allocated based on activity associated with the communicated messages. The messaging provider may also facilitate additional interaction between the message originator and the message recipients including the initiation of additional communication channels. | 01-17-2013 |
20130024250 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROUP BUYING AND SOCIAL NETWORK - Computer-implemented methods, systems facilitating the methods, and computer-readable medium storing computer readable code, which, when executed, performs the methods are provided for group-buying and social network services. The methods may include steps of (1) receiving a request from a host to initiate an event that requires a consumption of an item offered by a provider, (2) performing at least one of (a) sending invitations of the event to at least one guest selected by the host, and (b) causing display of an advertisement of the event to be viewed by general public or a particular group, (3) receiving acceptance of participating the event from at least one participant, and (4) informing the host and the at least one participant whether sales of the item is executed or rescinded. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030884 | EDUCATION BASED ON COMMERCIAL CREDIT POINT AWARD - Apparatus and methods are disclosed including client and/or server computing devices, such as smartphones, laptop computers, servers, and the like, having application software thereon configured to award credit points towards the purchase of goods and services from third parties upon meeting predefined milestones associated with the taking of online tests, educational courses or modules. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030885 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GLOBAL GROUP PURCHASE SERVICE ON FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS - A system and method provide a group purchase service in which a discount rate is applied differentially depending on the group purchase volume on first-come-first-served basis. In the group purchase service, a central server determines a discount policy such that each local server applies differential discount rates in group purchase rounds depending on group purchase volumes of an item in a purchase process performed by buyer devices. When each of the buyer devices accesses the local server in each service area and performs the purchase process for the item through the local server, the local server applies the differential discount rates to the rounds depending on the group purchase volumes of the item. When the sales deadline arrives or when all the items sold out, the central server applies a final discount rate according to a totalization of the group purchase volumes in all the service areas | 01-31-2013 |
20130035991 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING VIRTUAL INCENTIVES FOR REAL WORLD ACTIVITIES BETWEEN MULTIPLE USERS - Real-world physical activity—of a user of a virtual space—may be rewarded with a virtual incentive including one or more virtual benefits in a virtual space. The virtual incentive may be associated with a particular user in the virtual space. The particular user may enter and/or select other users to obtain a virtual benefit, e.g. for their participation in the real-world physical activity that formed the basis for the reward. After the one or more virtual incentives are determined for one or more users, the virtual incentives are distributed to the one or more users. | 02-07-2013 |
20130035992 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND WATER RESOURCES - A method of and system for providing a consumable resource such as electricity, natural gas, oil, air or water together with an incentive program of variable resource points to reward the buyer for not using the resource being provided. The invention monitors utilization of the resource at a location, and then determines a type and quantity of variable resource points to be provided to an account associated with the location or with a participant by analyzing the monitored resource utilization with respect to a plurality of varying conditions (time-variant, location-variant, cost-variant etc.). The resource points are then stored in an account associated with the location or with a participant for future use. | 02-07-2013 |
20130035993 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONLINE QUOTING - Methods and systems for online quoting are disclosed. The method may include receiving a user request for price quotes for services. Based on the use request, service providers associated with the services may be selected, and the price quotes may be calculated based on predetermined parameters of the service providers. When calculated, the price quotes may be provided to the user. | 02-07-2013 |
20130041725 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC VENDOR REWARDS PROGRAMS - An approach is provided for providing dynamic vendor rewards programs. Information corresponding to rewards programs of a plurality of vendors and information corresponding to a user are stored in a database, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider. A rewards offer is retrieved from the database based on a transaction between one of the plurality of vendors and the user. Presentation of the rewards offer to the user via a user device. | 02-14-2013 |
20130041726 | Methods and Systems for Identifying Demand for, and Negotiating Discounted Prices of, Goods and Services - A method includes receiving, by a first computing device, from a second computing device, funding for use in purchasing a type of good or service. The method includes determining, by the first computing device, a level of interest in the type of good or service by a user of the second computing device, based on an amount of the funding. The method includes determining, by the first computing device, that a plurality of users has provided funding for use in purchasing items having the type of good or service. The method includes negotiating, by the first computing device, with a retail computing device for a discounted price for items having the type of good or service. The method includes making, by the first computing device, an item having the type of good or service available for purchase by each of the plurality of users at the negotiated, discounted price. | 02-14-2013 |
20130046589 | VARYING OFFERS BASED ON PROXIMITY TO CUSTOMER'S CURRENT LOCATION - Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, apparatus and computer program products are described herein for communicating offers to customers based in part on the distance from the customer to the merchant's location after receiving an indication of a point of transaction event by receiving an indication of a point-of-transaction event, collecting positioning information related to the customer, determining the distance between the customer and the merchant, correlating the distance between the customer and the merchant to offers to entice the customer to travel to the merchant's location and communicating the offers to the customer. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046590 | JOINT PURCHASING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A method of coordinating a joint purchase between a plurality of subscribers. The method comprises monitoring the location of each of a plurality of subscribers, receiving from a first of the plurality of subscribers an indication of a joint purchase for a suggested deal in an offering location, calculating a group of the plurality of subscribers who are located in proximity to the offering location, sending at least one invitation indicative of the suggested deal to at least one member of the group, receiving at least one response to the at least one invitation from the at least one member, and coordinating the joint purchase between the first subscriber and the at least one member. | 02-21-2013 |
20130054312 | DISTRIBUTED ENERGY CONTRIBUTION-BASED COMMUTING - Providing distributed energy contribution-based commuting services includes receiving transportation schedules from a community of transportation service providers and receiving capacity information and energy contribution data from the community of transportation service providers. The energy contribution data specifies a number of docking stations, per vehicle, configured to receive energy sources from passengers. The distributed energy contribution-based commuting services also include receiving criteria from a user, the criteria specifying trip information including pick up location, destination, time of trip and available energy source. The user is a prospective passenger. The distributed energy contribution-based commuting services also includes searching a database of the transportation schedules for the criteria, and presenting a schedule from the database of transportation schedules that matches the criteria. The criteria are considered matched when at least one docking station in a vehicle is available. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054313 | Computer System for Generating Purchase Recommendations with Corresponding Loan Offers - A computer system receives specification information about a future purchase by a customer and subsequently determines a candidate purchase from the specification information. The computer system may also generate and send a loan offer for the candidate purchase based on the degree of greenness of the candidate purchase. If the computer receives a response that is indicative of selecting the candidate purchase by the customer, the computer system may initiate a loan procedure for the candidate purchase and/or a reward for the candidate purchase. The loan offer for purchasing an item may be at least partially structured according to the degree of greenness of the item. For example, the interest rate for the loan may be reduced with the increased degree of greenness. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054314 | FINANCIAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND INCENTIVE SYSTEM FOR FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS - Embodiments of the invention provide financial health assessment and incentive systems for financially responsible behaviors. The methods, apparatus and computer program products provide for receiving a financial behavior set associated with a customer, identifying a difference between the financial behavior set associated with the customer and a second financial behavior set, and providing to the customer an incentive to make an alteration to a financial behavior. In some example implementations, financial behaviors exhibited by or otherwise attributable to individuals who are socially affiliated with the customer via a social network are observed and associated with the customer. In some example implementations, advertisements for goods and/or services that are potentially attractive to the customer are directed to the customer in response to identifying a difference between the financial behavior set associated with the customer and the second financial behavior set. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054315 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS - A method of providing advertisements to mobile devices is disclosed. The position of a mobile device is obtained. An advertisement with a promotion for a point of interest is obtained. An incentive amount for the promotion is determined based upon the position of the mobile device. An advertisement message comprising the determined incentive amount for the promotion for the point of interest is provided to the mobile device. | 02-28-2013 |
20130060613 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXT-RICH DATABASE OPTIMIZED FOR PROCESSING OF CONCEPTS - A computer-implemented method and system of disciplining data input to a multi-contextual and multi-dimensional database is described. A template identifying subject matter specific settings is provided, where the settings comprise a default ontology or taxonomy, a reserved word or phrase list, and restricted value ranges, and where the template includes a template identification and a version. A new record is generated based on the template. Alternatively, a record is generated by copying or inheriting information from an existing record in the database. A unique identification code is assigned to the record including a reference to the template identification and version. A weight is assigned to each record representing a level of diligence used at a time of data entry, where the level of diligence is dependent in part on the default ontology or taxonomy and the reserved word or phrase list. | 03-07-2013 |
20130066691 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING REDIRECTS TO A SEARCH ENGINE - The present invention is related to methods and systems for processing search requests and for performing searches over a network. In an embodiment, a recipient designation is received from a user over a network. The designation indicates that future searches performed by the user are to be associated with the recipient (even if the subject matter of the search is not related to the recipient). A search request is received from the user; causing a search to be performed in response to the search request. An identifier corresponding to the recipient is stored in association with an indication regarding the occurrence of the first search request. | 03-14-2013 |
20130073351 | Point-Based Rewards - A computer-implemented method for a points-based rewards program includes identifying, with a computer system, events that are associated with users of a business application; awarding, in response to the occurrence of an event identified by the computer system, points to the user associated with the event, where the points awarded are based on a business importance of the event, the business importance being determined by the computer system; storing the awarded points in a points account for the user; providing options to the user for redeeming the points in return for objects; redeeming, in response to a selected redemption option, one or more selected objects from the objects, and reducing points in the points account by an amount corresponding to the one or more selected objects; and causing the selected one or more objects to be provided to the user. | 03-21-2013 |
20130073352 | DYNAMIC GROUP DISCOUNTING - A system and method for sellers to provide dynamic group discounting to buyers of products and/or services is provided. The system and method allows a seller to determine discount parameters that will be applied to a quantity of goods and/or services to be sold. A purchaser agrees to pay full price for the goods and/or services and may later be provided with a unique discount relative to other purchasers based in part on when the purchaser bought the goods and/or services during the sale period. The system and method may utilize a discount curve to determine the amount of the discount each individual purchaser, or groups of purchasers, will receive. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080217 | GEOSPATIALLY CONSTRAINED GASTRONOMIC BIDDING - A method includes determining, through one or more central server(s), that a bidding platform provided by a gastronomic bidding service provider has a number of requests for gastronomical offers within a residential location zip code and/or a daytime location zip code associated with a user thereof. The method also includes permitting the user to access the number of requests for gastronomical offers within the residential location zip code and/or the daytime location zip code, and denying the user access to a request within a zip code outside a geospatially constrained region around the residential location zip code and/or the daytime location zip code thereof. Further, the method includes permitting the user to create a series of standing bid amounts spread across a spectrum of time and crediting an account associated with the gastronomic bidding service provider on the one or more central server(s) with an appropriate amount. | 03-28-2013 |
20130080218 | CUSTOMIZED CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A method includes receiving an access code at one or more server computers from a user device that is associated with a user. In response to receiving the access code at the one or more server computers, the method includes accessing, at the one or more server computers, user preference information that is associated with the user of the user device, selecting a set of content items based at least in part on the access code, selecting at least one content item from the set of content items based at least in part on the user preference information, and transmitting information corresponding to the at least one content item from the one or more server computers to the user device. | 03-28-2013 |
20130080219 | Systems and Methods for Providing Value Added Services in Association with Payment Transactions - Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to systems and methods for providing value added services in association with the processing of payment transactions. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can relate to provision of value added services in association with the processing of payment transactions. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for processing proposed transactions can be provided. The method can include receiving, from a merchant device by a service provider system comprising one or more computers, information associated with a purchase transaction; identifying, by the service provider system, one or more value added services applicable to the purchase transaction; and implementing, by the service provider system, the one or more applicable value added services. | 03-28-2013 |
20130085817 | DISCOUNT OFFER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE WITH FOR HIRE VEHICLES - A deal manager receives promotional offers from vendors. The deal manager publishes the deals to deal presenters. The deal presenters collect acceptance and payment information which is then sent back to the deal manager. The deal manager processes the payment information and sends a for-hire vehicle request to a reservation and dispatch system. A for-hire vehicle (for example, a taxi, shuttle or limo) is dispatched, or in another embodiment, the destination of a for-hire vehicle is modified so that a passenger may be transported to a location where the deal may be redeemed. The deal manger transmits a voucher containing a unique voucher code to the deal presenter. Vendors and drivers of for-hire vehicles validate the voucher using the unique voucher code. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085818 | METHOD OF MANAGING A DRIVER REWARDS PROGRAMME AND A SYSTEM THEREFOR - A method of managing a driver rewards programme includes receiving data including information relating to the compliance of a driver in one or more of a plurality of programme areas related to motor vehicle driver behaviour and storing the data in a database. Awarding points to the driver wherein the points allocated are related to the compliance of the driver in one or more of the programme areas and using the points allocated to determine a reward for the driver. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085819 | METHOD OF MANAGING A DRIVER REWARDS PROGRAMME AND A SYSTEM THEREFOR - A method and system for managing a driver rewards programme includes receiving data including information relating to the compliance of a driver in at least one of a plurality of programme areas related to motor vehicle driver behaviours and storing the data in a database. Points are awarded to the driver wherein the points awarded are related to the compliance of the driver in the at least one programme area. Finally, the points awarded are used to determine a reward for the driver wherein the reward is a fuel related reward. | 04-04-2013 |
20130090992 | EZ - coupon - EZ Coupon is an integrated system that enables consumers to benefit from manufacturer and retail discounts without the need to scan coupons, or input coupon code(s) at checkouts. EZ Coupon accredits applicable discounts automatically for authorized customers. Authorization is given to customers by linking their existing or newly created accounts to EZ Coupon. | 04-11-2013 |
20130090993 | METHOD OF PROVIDING DISCOUNTED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - The present invention is a method for managing and providing discounts for fertility pharmaceutical medications and services. Specifically, the invention is method for providing discounts for medications and services by using a discount card that: (1) provides cash-paying patients with access to pharmaceutical and medical discounts; (2) provides pharmaceutical companies an opportunity to brand and market themselves; and (3) provides participating pharmacies a source of new and dedicated customers. The cost of the discount card, which is typically purchased by the customer directly, is reimbursed at equal cost to the customer through a gift card, which must be redeemed in a participating pharmacy or retail store. The card may be provided to the customer by doctors, fertility centers, pharmacies, self insured groups, insurers and retail stores, rather than being purchased directly. | 04-11-2013 |
20130090994 | XQARD-Dynamic Consumer Focused Real-Time Purchase Discounting Process - The Dynamic Consumer Focused Real-Time Purchase Discounts System is a process/system for generating, authorizing, issuing, transmitting Dynamic Consumer Focused Real-Time Purchase Discounts for individual consumers that provide a plurality of types and quantities of third-party funded real-time purchase discounts. The process gives any individual, group, association, organization, employer, etc. the ability to provide (any amount of prepositioned or secured discount funds, prior to a consumers purchase) sponsored purchase discounts for any specific purchases of a member of a previously specified group, creating a plurality of unique, one-time, dynamic consumer lifestyle focused purchase discounts, occurring only at the time of the consumers purchases, in real-time. Through its very existence, the Dynamic Consumer Focused Real-Time Purchase Discounts System also deploys dynamic consumer focused micro-marketing, dynamic consumer focused nano-marketing, and independently incentivized dynamic consumer focused impulse purchase marketing, integrated within the nexus of third party lifestyle purchase discount funding and the Discount Matrix. | 04-11-2013 |
20130096995 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SERVICES - Electric vehicle charging services include receiving data relating to a vehicle charge operation of a vehicle and a user identification of the user initiating the vehicle charge operation. Upon determining the user has registered for the electric vehicle charging services, the electric vehicle charging services include identifying a location of the vehicle, determining a utility service provider that services the location, the utility service provider offering discounted electricity rates to operators of electric vehicles, and transmitting charge data and the user identification received from the vehicle to the utility service provider. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096996 | Mobile Game Promotion Distribution - Systems and methods for providing games, challenges, and/or promotions to mobile devices are usable to provide incentives to customers. According to one embodiment, a system can be provided. The system can be operable to receive location information associated with a mobile device and additional information, such as but not limited demographic and/or purchase history information, associated with the mobile device. Additionally, the system can be operable to select content based on the received information, transmit the content to the mobile device, receive an event outcome indicator associated with the content, and provide a promotional offer to the mobile device. | 04-18-2013 |
20130103461 | COUPON DISTRIBUTION - In one embodiment, preference data relating to consumer preferences of a user of a network-connected printer is received at a computer system. Association data associating a mobile computing device with the user or the printer is received at the computer system. An electronic coupon is sent to the printer. Proximity data indicating that the mobile device is within a proximity to the printer is received. Responsive to receipt of the proximity data, the printer is caused to send the coupon to the mobile device. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110591 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING SOCIAL CONSUMER DRIVEN GEO INCENTIVES | 05-02-2013 |
20130110592 | Computer system | 05-02-2013 |
20130117080 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A USER INTERFACE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT OFFERS EXTRACTED FROM A MARKETING COMMUNICATION - An improved system and method for generating offers from marketing communications is provided. Marketing communications, including marketing emails, may be received, and offer information may be extracted from the marketing communications. A marketing message retrieved may be parsed to identify and extract offer information including the brand, headline text, description, and other content. Offers may be generated from the offer information extracted from the marketing communications, and may be stored in persistent storage for serving to users of an online offer service through a variety of user interfaces. In various embodiments, messages identified from recognized brands may be presented in a graphical user interface for a user to read with messages from unrecognized brands. Furthermore, either the message or an offer generated from a message may be displayed in various embodiments through a variety of user interfaces where its relevance may be specified by a user's interests. | 05-09-2013 |
20130132168 | Technical Task Performance Techniques - One form of the present invention includes a computer network, an input device, and a computer server. The computer server is coupled to the network and input device, and is programmed to present a publicly accessible description over the network. This description includes a reward offer contingent on acceptable development of a technical task. The computer server is responsive to input from the input device to alter the description when it is determined that the task has been acceptably performed. In a further form, the task involves production of a chemical compound sample and chemical analysis equipment is included to evaluate the sample. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132169 | System and Method for an Electronic Gift Key - A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to content is presented. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, product information, marketing materials, donation, promotion, or credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, product information, marketing materials, donation, promotion, or credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The gift key includes a cover with optional bar code, an integrated circuit, and a physical or wireless interface. The local system could be a personal, laptop or handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV. The gift key could be directly attached to a box, bag, ribbon, envelope, or gift wrapping or configured as a sticker with an adhesive backing. The gift key could also be directly attached to a product. | 05-23-2013 |
20130138485 | CONFIGURABLE BILLING WITH SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVING CONDITIONAL COMPONENTS - A method of billing charges incurred by a customer having a subscription account maintained by subscription billing management system. The subscription account specifies at least one subscription to be charged according to a defined rate plan and the rate plan includes charge objects having attributes such as a charge type, a trigger condition, a unit of measurement, and a cost per unit of measurement. The method includes defining a charge segment associated with a charge object, the charge segment being a time-based application of the charge object, and includes attributes such as its associated charge object and the charge object's attributes, an effective start time, a quantity of units, and a cost. The customers use of the subscription is monitored and charge events in are generated according to the defined charge objects and segments. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144689 | Aggregated Customer Grouping - Aggregation of customers allows sellers to offer better rates in exchange for more sales, greater diversity of sales, and possible new customers. Customer aggregation includes suggesting alternative products to customers, obtaining collective product requests sufficiently similar that sellers can offer discounts to that customer aggregation. A system expands upon a core collection of product requests, adding similar requests having a nearby “distance” from the core collection. The system generates an expanded collection of requests, both sufficiently similar that customers are comfortable with the expanded collection, and sufficiently sizable that sellers are comfortable offering bulk discounts. Aggregation also includes determining risk of actual customer participation, even after expressing agreement to expanded collection. Sellers can determine the risk borne when offering bulk discounts to customers requesting aggregated collection. Sellers can adjust pricing to account both for desired profit margin and for desired risk premium over price point providing that profit margin. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144690 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MOBILE COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVES - A system and method for distributing incentives via mobile devices is described. One embodiment, a computer-server-based method, receives a request from a merchant to generate an incentive which incentive is funded and initiated by the merchant, receives the incentive, associates the incentive with a recipient's phone number, and transmits a notification of the incentive to a mobile device associated with the recipient's phone number, the computer server acting as a server-side wallet for the incentive, the incentive being usable, through interaction with the computer server, by the recipient for the purchase of goods or services from the merchant associated with the incentive. | 06-06-2013 |
20130151319 | Predictable Method for Reducing Power Consumption during Peak Demand - System and method for reducing electricity consumption during peak demand period is disclosed. The power distribution system comprises a power grid, a control unit and a plurality of consumption units. The consumption unit further comprises a power limiter. The control unit sends instructions through a communication network to consumption units to activate the power limiters. Power consumptions for appliances in the units are then adjusted to meet the power limitation. Implementations of AC and DC power limiters are disclosed. | 06-13-2013 |
20130159071 | METHOD FOR CONNECTING CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESSES - According to one aspect of the present invention, a new and improved method for marketing to customers and businesses may comprise the steps of providing a platform on a global computer network for buying and selling of a good and/or service; providing a business, the business selectively offering the good and/or service at a first price, wherein the good and/or service are available for sale outside of the platform at a second price, wherein the first price is less than the second price; and sending a communication from the business via the platform to the customer for the good and/or service at the first price. The customer selects its interests to receive offers from businesses they prefer. The business uses the tools necessary via the platform to market its products or services directly to customers, who have selected preferences or interests that fall into their category. | 06-20-2013 |
20130159072 | Family Plan Promotional Offer Sharing - Promotional offers are shared among members of a group, such as members of a family plan for cellular telephone billing and/or mobile device data billing. The promotional offers can be presented by a merchant at a point-of-sale during checkout. A payment server can have a memory that store account information for a plurality of customers. The account information can include an indication as to which group a customer belongs. A processor can receive an indication of a desire of a customer to purchase an item, access an account of the customer, determine from the account information to which of the groups the customer belongs, and determine identifications of other members of the group. The processor can facilitate communication of an offer to the other members of the group. | 06-20-2013 |
20130159073 | NETWORK-BASED MULTI-TIER PROMOTION THREAD GENERATOR SHUTDOWN SEQUENCE SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A embodiment, a computer implemented method of generating a multi-tier dynamic value promotion thread generator may include: creating, by a computer processor(s), the thread generator, including: receiving, by the processor(s), terms of the at least one multi-tier dynamic value promotion thread generator adapted to generate at least one thread, wherein the terms may include: at least one tier-specific benefit term, and at least one tier-specific requirement term for each of at least two tier levels of the thread generator; and at least one thread-specific countdown timer, wherein upon generation of a generated thread by a first customer user, a value of the tier-specific benefit term of the generated thread may be determined by comparing: a number of joined customer users upon expiration of the countdown timer, to the tier-specific requirement terms, to identify the tier corresponding to the number of joined customer users. | 06-20-2013 |
20130166359 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR DETERMINING SHIPPING INCENTIVES - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-program products for determining shipping incentives. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve applying a shipping incentive for a customer receiving inbound shipments from a plurality of parties based on increased inbound shipments received from such parties. While other embodiments of the invention involve applying a shipping incentive to at least one customer based on increased shipments shipped to and/or received in a locale for a particular time period using a common carrier. In particular embodiments, the incentive may be a discount on a cost of shipping for the customer. While in other embodiments, the incentive may be something else such as a preferred shipping service for the customer. | 06-27-2013 |
20130166360 | USER CENTRIC GROUP BUYING DEALS - Techniques for facilitating group discounts are described. A shopping request is received from a user. Information related to the shopping request is provided to a plurality of providers. A plurality of group discount packages is received from the plurality of providers. The group discount packages are generated based on the provided shopping request information. The group discount packages may be offered by enabling users to accept at least one of the group discount packages. A deal with at least one of the plurality of group discount packages with a corresponding at least one of the providers is confirmed when an associated threshold value is met. | 06-27-2013 |
20130166361 | ACCOUNT-DEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION AND INSERTION OF REDEEMABLE MERCHANT OFFERS - The invention provides a computer system for managing electronic transactions. A voucher entry is stored in the data store. A plurality of consumer accounts including at least first and second consumer accounts are stored in the data store, each consumer account having a respective first consumer account identifier, and the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account. A network API determines whether the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account, and transmits the voucher entry to a network server if the voucher entry is associated with the first consumer account. A voucher import module receives the voucher entry and the first consumer account identifier of the second consumer account over the network interface device and associates the voucher entry with the second consumer account. | 06-27-2013 |
20130173358 | ASSOCIATING VEHICLES WITH ADVERTISEMENT DISPLAY AND CONVERSION - A deal manager associates a unique vehicle-offer code or identifier to each vehicle and/or advertisement to be displayed on a vehicle. The unique vehicle-offer code or identifier corresponds to an advertisement on one vehicle such that the vehicle can be uniquely identified. A brief description of the promotional offer and/or the vehicle-offer code may be displayed on the associated vehicle. A consumer may request additional information about the promotion offer through the use of the vehicle-offer code or other identifier. When the consumer receives the additional information, the consumer may have an opportunity to purchase the promotional offer, thereby creating a “conversion.” The identity of the vehicle displaying the brief description of the promotional offer and/or its location may then be determined through the use of the unique vehicle-offer code. The location of the consumer at the time of interest and at the time of conversion may also be determined. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173359 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING THE SPEND CAPACITY OF CONSUMERS - Time series consumer spending data, point-in-time balance information, internal customer financial data and consumer panel information provides input to a model for consumer spend behavior on plastic instruments or other financial accounts, from which approximations of spending ability may be reliably identified and utilized to promote additional consumer spending. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173360 | METHODS OF ALLOCATING BENEFITS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO GENERATING ENERGY WITHIN COMMUNITIES TO COMMUNITY INTERESTS - Methods of allocating benefits received in response to generating energy within communities to community interests, including deploying energy generating equipment on properties of host community members, delivering delivered portions of the energy generated by the energy generating equipment to host community members, receiving community members, or power grids, measuring the delivered portions of the energy to produce measurements, receiving benefits associated with purchasing the energy generating equipment or generating energy with the energy generating equipment, the benefits defining amounts calculated based on the measurements, distributing portions of the benefit to community interests. In some examples, a community portion of the energy may be donated to community interest organizations. In some examples, benefits may define government subsidies. In some examples, marketing materials may be delivered from non-profit entities. In some examples, community members may select to participate in the community power programs on forms provided to the community members. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173361 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISEMENT REWARD - An advertisement reward providing method includes receiving first advertisement information associated with advertisement, that is being reproduced in a first device, from a second device, providing, to the second device, a mission associated with the advertisement based on the first advertisement information, receiving, from the second device, a mission completion message and providing an advertisement reward to at least one of the first device and the second device, in response to the mission completion message. | 07-04-2013 |
20130179239 | GENERATING A SCORE FOR A COUPON CAMPAIGN - Techniques are provided for generating, by a coupon distributor, a score that represents a quality of a coupon campaign that a coupon provider offers to the coupon distributor. The score may be generated based on the brand of the product, the product category to which the product belongs, the coupon value, and the percentage discount reflected by the coupon. One or more of these factors may be based on historical data that indicates the success (or failure) of previous coupon campaigns (e.g., of the same product, brand, and/or product category, and/or similar coupon value). The coupon distributor uses the score to, e.g., determine whether to accept a proposed coupon campaign, project the number of prints/redemptions of the coupon campaign, determine how to present the coupon, determine an amount to charge for running the coupon campaign, and/or determine products or product categories of coupons to which the coupon distributor should seek. | 07-11-2013 |
20130179240 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SPONSORED ON-LINE FUNDRAISING - A method and system for sponsored online fundraising in relation to an offer for purchase provided by a retailer, the fundraising campaign, the fundraising service and the retailer having respective account balances. The method comprises matching retailer offers against the fundraising campaign specifying a plurality of campaign criteria; generating a plurality of offers for purchase from among the retailer offers; selecting at least one offer for purchase from among the generated offers for purchase; publishing a fundraising campaign promoting the at least one offer; selecting and purchasing the offer promoted by the fundraising campaign; generating a voucher specifying the monetary value of the purchased offer; redeeming the voucher via a purchase transaction with the retailer, and allocating, from at least a portion of the monetary value, a first payment to the fundraising campaign account balance and a second payment to the fundraising service account balance. | 07-11-2013 |
20130191192 | Method and System for Conducting Transactions With Oliogopolistic Entities - A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction is provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer. A method for encouraging use of electronic payment methods is also disclosed, wherein an oligopolistic entity and a group of business consumers in an industry vertical are identified based on sales information, and an economic incentive is provided to the oligopolistic business entity after it agrees to accept electronic payment transactions for conducting business with the group of business consumers. | 07-25-2013 |
20130197978 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REWARD USERS OF CONTENT AND HOSTING APPLICATIONS - A method, apparatus and computer program product for rewarding users of content and hosting applications is presented. Content is accessed using a hosting application. The presence of a reward code within the content is determined and the user is rewarded for accessing the content with the hosting application. The reward is provided by either the content provider or by the hosting application provider. | 08-01-2013 |
20130197979 | ONLINE CONTENT MANAGEMENT - A computer implemented method for managing content, comprising: receiving the content at a server, the content transmitted over a communication network from a member, the member having a profile comprising a plurality of variable characteristics, the profile stored in a database coupled to the server; categorizing the content into one of a pre-existing list of content categories and storing the categorized content into the database; publishing the content; receiving one or more ratings in response to publishing the content; updating one or more of the variable characteristics in the database to reflect the one or more ratings; and allocating a reward to the member for the published content, the reward commensurate with one or more of the plurality of variable characteristics. | 08-01-2013 |
20130197980 | TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM - The transaction processing system and method provide an efficient and effective way to authorize promotion redemption. The transaction processing system may receive an indication of a request for authorization, the indication comprising a merchant identifier, an account number, and a transaction amount. The transaction processing system may determine whether the request for authorization corresponds to a promotion. The system may further transmit a transaction authorization based on whether the request for authorization corresponds to the promotion. The transaction processing system may cause a promotion database to designate the promotion as redeemed. In this fashion, the transaction processing system improves the consumer experience and minimizes the transaction time needed to identify and redeem a promotion. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204677 | Online Incentive Management - Various methods and systems are provided to facilitate the centralized storage and access of online incentives such as coupons redeemable at associated online marketplaces. In one example, merchants may provide incentive information to payment service providers that in turn may associate such information with user accounts maintained by the payment service providers. Payment service providers may permit users to view incentives associated with their user accounts, thereby providing users with a comprehensive way to manage incentives from a plurality of online merchants. In another example, merchants may advise users of previously registered incentives in response to user activities in relation to online marketplaces. | 08-08-2013 |
20130211885 | Electricity Transfer System and Method of Providing and Using the Same - Some embodiments include an electricity transfer system. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 08-15-2013 |
20130238407 | VISUAL CHECK-IN FEATURE USING A SOFTWARE SERVICE - A system and method of accumulating points redeemable for goods or services using a visual check-in feature. An electronic file indicative of a digital photograph of a physical object taken by a user is received. The electronic file includes an image of the physical object and associated location information of where the digital photograph was taken. An image recognition engine identifies an indicium associated with the physical object. The user is granted access to a software service based on the digital photograph and the location information, both of which are required to access the software service. A software service determines whether the identified indicium matches one of predetermined indicia stored in a database. If so, points are awarded to the user based on the matching indicium and location information, and the awarded points are added to a point meter. The accumulated points are redeemable for goods or services. | 09-12-2013 |
20130246133 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCENTIVES - Systems and methods for incentives which involve receiving a contribution from a user or through a value card, wherein the contribution enables the user to be eligible for an incentive upon completing an event; monitoring user activities to detect the occurrence of the event, wherein the event is a socially beneficial task completed by the user; and providing the incentive to the user or the value card associated with the user upon detecting the occurrence of the event. In accordance with some embodiments, the systems and methods may involve calculating at least one emission value for emissions generated by the incentive, wherein the event and incentive are associated with raw activity data; and calculating at least one offset value to offset the emissions generated by the incentive using the at least one emission value for emissions generated by the incentive. | 09-19-2013 |
20130246134 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATION AMONG CONTENT PUBLICATION, ADVERTISEMENT SERVICES AND REWARDS COLLECTION - A computer-implemented method and system for integration among content publication, advertisement services and rewards collection is provided. The method and system comprises publishing a first content generated by a first user for public viewing, determining whether a predetermined condition of the published first content reaches a first predetermined threshold, providing a first slot available for a first advertisement if the first predetermined threshold is reached, and allowing the first user to set a first price for the first slot to sell for rewards collection. When the published content reaches a second predetermined threshold, a second slot is then provided for the user to set a second price for rewards collection and so on. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253998 | CONTINGENT PAYMENT SYSTEM - A method for providing contingent payments includes receiving, from a first user through a user device over a network, a contingent payment request. The contingent payment request is stored in a database. A contingent payment intent is provided on a user profile that is associated with the first user. The user profile is monitored. When it is determined that at least one contingent payment factor in the contingent payment request has been satisfied by a second user, funds are transferred from a user account associated with the first user to a merchant account in order to purchase a first product that is associated with the contingent payment request. In an embodiment, the second user may provide a coupon on the user profile that satisfies the at least one contingent payment factor and results in the purchase of the first product using the user account. | 09-26-2013 |
20130262195 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING COUPONS - An example of a system for presenting coupons is disclosed herein. An example of the system includes a user interface to collect information from a user and present coupons to the user and a non-transitory storage medium including a first database of information relating to the user collected from the user interface and further including a second database of coupons. The system also includes a coupon engine to: aggregate coupons from different sources, normalize the coupons into a common coupon data format, and store the coupons in the second database of the non-transitory storage medium. The system further includes an offer engine to analyze the coupons in the second database based in part on the collected information in the first database relating to the user to create a set of coupons for the user. An example of a method for presenting personalized coupon offers is also disclosed. | 10-03-2013 |
20130262196 | CONSOLIDATED PRESENTATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES - Pharmaceutical marketing data from different pharmaceutical manufacturers may be integrated into a single system so that physicians may access the pharmaceutical marketing data from different manufacturers from a single application. Pharmaceutical company representatives may also be able to access and share the marketing data of different manufacturers with one or more physicians from a single application. Each pharmaceutical manufacturer may be able to specify which physicians and pharmaceutical company representatives are able to access the electronically stored pharmaceutical content. | 10-03-2013 |
20130262197 | COMMUNITY ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods for distributed control and energy management of one or more communities of energy-consuming units may include aggregation of consumption data from units, and determining per-unit electricity consumption based thereon, including consumption of backup power provided by a community during periods of time of poor quality (brownouts) or blackouts of a utility. A system may calculate and assess to respective units per-unit costs for such backup power. A system may also issue a command or alert to units to carry out one or both of community electricity usage objectives and electricity quotas required by the utility, which may be determined through execution of rules. | 10-03-2013 |
20130262198 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN INTELLIGENT CARDLESS LOYALTY SYSTEM - The present solution provides a low cost mobile loyalty service that gives meaningful rewards to members to increase their loyalty. The systems and methods of the present solution provides an intelligent and cardless loyalty customer relationship management (CRM) system. The present solution leverages the ubiquitous availability of network connections and mobile phones to offer an easy to use, low cost subscription service that is accessible to even the smallest retail merchants. A single sign up give members an easy way to participate in loyalty programs across all businesses in the present solution's network. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268328 | GENERATING A DEAL SCORE TO INDICATE A RELATIVE VALUE OF AN OFFER - Techniques are described herein for generating a deal score to indicate a relative value of an offer for a commerce element. In one example, the deal score for a particular offer is based on a difference between a discounted price specified by the particular offer and an average of discounted price(s) specified by other offer(s). If the difference reaches a threshold, then a relatively high deal score is generated. Otherwise, a relatively low deal score is generated. In another example, the deal score is based on a difference between an intermediate value and the discounted price specified by the present offer. The intermediate value may be provided by combining discounted price(s) specified by other offer(s) and the non-discounted price of the commerce element being offered. If the difference reaches a threshold, then a relatively high deal score is generated. Otherwise, a relatively low deal score is generated. | 10-10-2013 |
20130268329 | Electronic Trading System and Method for Marketing Products and Services - A consumer is provided with a first asset in return for a promise to earn an agreed to number of points over an agreed to redemption period. The consumer subsequently earns the points by purchasing one or more second assets. At least one of the second assets is different than the first asset. Each purchase has an associated with point value, at least one of the point values being different than at least one other point value. | 10-10-2013 |
20130282449 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE GENERATION OF VIRTUAL GOODS WITH RANDOMIZED VALUE ELEMENTS - A computer-implemented method for generating virtual goods, including storing computer readable instructions in a memory element for at least one computer, and executing, using a processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to generate a randomized value element in accordance with a set of generation rules; assign the randomized value element to a first virtual good; and, transmit a first representation of the first virtual good for display. A computer-based apparatus for generating of virtual goods with randomized value elements, including a memory element for at least one computer arranged to store computer readable instructions, a processor for the at least one computer, arranged to execute the computer readable instructions to generate a randomized value element in accordance with a set of generation rules; assign the randomized value element to a first virtual good; and, transmit a first representation of the first virtual good for display. | 10-24-2013 |
20130282450 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE GENERATION OF VIRTUAL GOODS WITH RANDOMIZED VALUE ELEMENTS - A computer-implemented method for generating virtual goods, including storing computer readable instructions in a memory element for at least one computer, and executing, using a processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to generate a randomized value element in accordance with a set of generation rules; assign the randomized value element to a first virtual good; and, transmit a first representation of the first virtual good for display. A computer-based apparatus for generating of virtual goods with randomized value elements, including a memory element for at least one computer arranged to store computer readable instructions, a processor for the at least one computer, arranged to execute the computer readable instructions to generate a randomized value element in accordance with a set of generation rules; assign the randomized value element to a first virtual good; and, transmit a first representation of the first virtual good for display. | 10-24-2013 |
20130290077 | METHOD FOR OFFERING ENERGY PRICING PROGRAMS - A method for offering energy pricing programs to energy consumers is disclosed. Graphical indicators representing the cost reduction and the comfort reduction for each energy pricing program are displayed, allowing the energy consumer to choose between the energy pricing programs. | 10-31-2013 |
20130290078 | Dual Device System for Secure Transactions - Methods and systems for operating a Smart Device | 10-31-2013 |
20130304548 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING AND MARKETING COPYRIGHT MATERIALS - A unique method of service through a visual and/or audio interruption mechanism has the intent of dramatically reducing piracy. The framework includes audio with interruption mechanism and/or visual interruption mechanism with or without audio, which is combined with the copyrighted material of owners with permission. This mechanism makes consumer enjoyment less delightful by interruption. The invention is primarily a service provided to copyright owner(s) in which their material is flooded by disguised; cloned, interruption files on digital outlets which prevents consumer(s) from downloading their copyrighted material illegally and directed to purchase material legally with advertisement. The inventions business model also includes advertisement space on designated copyrighted materials' file(s). The stock option and rewards program is also within the business model. Clone marketing and AphidByte prints are also key factors. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304549 | Virtual Community For Incentivized Viewing Of Multimedia Content - A computer implemented method and system for creating a virtual community network for incentivized multimedia content viewing is provided. A first viewer receives the multimedia content for viewing on a client device from a server provided in a networked environment. The first viewer refers the multimedia content to one or more second viewers in the networked environment for viewing and further referrals. The server controls access to the multimedia content and confirms viewing of the multimedia content by the first viewer, the second viewers, and nth viewers from further referrals using a random challenge. The server generates response reports based on viewing of the multimedia content. The server credits the first viewer, the second viewers, the nth viewers, etc. with one or more items of value based on referring of the multimedia content, multimedia content view confirmation, and/or registration of the second viewers, the nth viewers, etc, with the server. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304550 | ELECTRICITY CONTROL SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, an electricity control system includes a power plant, a customer and a central device connected to each other via a power line. The customer includes an electricity generator that generates electricity. The central device provides the customer with feedback of an incentive indicated by a value obtained by multiplying an electricity amount injected into a grid within an electricity amount generated in the electricity generator by a first incentive coefficient L used when the power plant has surplus electricity to supply. | 11-14-2013 |
20130311248 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INCENTIVIZING ACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF A NFC BASED PAYMENT FORM - Aspects disclosed herein relate to providing an incentive structure associated with various actions that are tied to access and/or use of a NFC based payment form. In one example, a NFC device may be configured to determine that a usage value for a NFC device is within a threshold value of a NFC account ceiling value. The NFC device may be further configured to provide a user with one or more actions to perform and information indicating how each of the one or more actions will affect the NFC account ceiling value. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311249 | CONNECTING ELECTRIC VEHICLE OPERATORS AND ORGANIZATIONS - An organization extends an affiliation offer to electric vehicle operators. The affiliation offer communicates a set of benefits for the electric vehicle operators provided by the organization, and also communicates a set of conditions for acceptance of the affiliation offer. An acceptance of the affiliation offer is received from an electric vehicle operator, where the acceptance includes an identifier associated with that electric vehicle operator. Responsive to verifying that the electric vehicle operator is allowed to be affiliated with the organization, the electric vehicle operator is associated with the organization to provide the set of benefits. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311250 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPROVING DRIVING SAFETY - Methods and apparatus encouraging distraction-free driving using at least a server and a mobile colt Cat ion device are disclosed. The method includes implementing challenges having challenge parameters, the challenge pertaining to encouraging the distraction-free driving. The method also includes tracking trip data and measuring the trip data against the challenge parameters. The method also includes administering at least a monetary-based or non-monetary-based reward to a user who accomplishes the challenge by satisfying the challenge parameters. | 11-21-2013 |
20130325567 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A VIRTUAL COUPON - The system and method of creating virtual coupons from physical coupons. The user engages a physical coupon by scanning a multi-modal artifact or code from the physical coupon with a digital device. The physical coupon can be a printed coupon or advertisement, a media broadcast (such as television, radio, internet, etc.), and/or the like. The digital device may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, smart remote, e-reader, and/or the like, which is capable of capturing multi-modal artifacts or codes, or running a computer-implemented software program to create and retrieve virtual coupons. | 12-05-2013 |
20130339108 | MANAGING DEMAND CHARGE TARIFFS FOR ELECTRIC POWER - A method for demand charge management at public charging stations may be provided. The method may comprise collecting information related to electric vehicle (EV) charging from a plurality of interested parties by an infrastructure service cloud, computing charge rate offers based on the collected information by the infrastructure service cloud, transmitting the computed charge rate offers to a driver of an EV by the infrastructure service cloud, and reserving a charge spot for the driver using the infrastructure service when the driver accepts an offer. | 12-19-2013 |
20130339109 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CELEBRITY ENDORSED CONTENT - An advertising engine, system and method for formulation of endorsed advertising. The engine, system and method includes at least one computerized storage vault including a plurality of media assets correspondent to each prospective endorser for the endorsed advertising, and a graphical user interface for presentation of the plurality of media assets having a multi-layer format. The graphical user interface may include a library that presents at least a first layer including available ones of the prospective endorsers, and at least a second layer including ones of the media assets correspondent to each of the prospective endorsers, and a recommendation engine that presents at least ones of the media assets correspondent to a plurality of ranked ones of the prospective endorsers from the vault responsive to a request for the endorsed advertising. | 12-19-2013 |
20140006113 | ELIGIBILITY ASSISTANCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA OFFER SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140006114 | SPENDING CAPABILITY SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140006115 | Reward System and Decorative Bike Frame Insert | 01-02-2014 |
20140012639 | EARNING REWARDS VIA BILL PAYMENT - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products associated with a bill payment feature that enables users to receive rewards for paying bills before their due dates. In some embodiments, a method comprises determining a bill due within a predetermined period in the future; initiating, via a mobile network, notification of the bill, an amount associated with the bill, and a due date associated with the bill; initiating, via the mobile network, a first option to pay the bill prior to the due date; and in response to determining the first option is selected: deducting, from an account, an amount of funds corresponding to the amount associated with the bill; providing a reward to the account; and transmitting, on the due date, the amount of funds to a merchant associated with the bill. | 01-09-2014 |
20140019217 | UNIVERSAL SYSTEM FOR ENABLING DYNAMICALLY DISCOUNTED BUYER-VENDOR PAYMENTS - Methods, systems and instructions stored on computer-readable media for receiving a plurality of invoices associated a vendor and one or more buyers. Each invoice is associated with a respective buyer and includes an invoice amount to be paid by a deadline. Each invoice is sent to the respective buyer. Possible early payment invoices that are available for early payment prior to the respective deadline from the plurality of invoices are determined. Notification, including a discount, is sent to the vendor regarding the possible early payment invoices. Approval to receive early payment of one or more of the possible early payment invoices is determined. A vendor financial institution and account, and buyer financial institutions and accounts are determined. A quantity of funds based upon the invoice amount and the discount of the one or more of the possible early payment invoices is transferred from the buyer accounts to the vendor account. | 01-16-2014 |
20140019218 | PROVIDING CONSUMERS WITH INCENTIVES FOR HEALTHY EATING HABITS - A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual | 01-16-2014 |
20140025445 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ON DEMAND DAILY DEAL SETTLEMENT - A method for initiating and processing a financial transaction includes: receiving and accumulating the value of one or more deal redemptions; receiving, by a receiving device, a request for payment, wherein the request for payment includes at least a merchant identifier, a payer identifier, and a transaction amount; identifying, by a processing device, a controlled payment number, wherein the controlled payment number is restricted to a merchant corresponding to the merchant identifier and the transaction amount; initiating a financial transaction for the transaction amount between a payer corresponding to the payer identifier and the merchant, wherein the controlled payment number is used for the payment of the financial transaction; and processing, by the processing device, the financial transaction. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025446 | OFFER ASSIGNMENT - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for offer assignment. An exemplary apparatus is configured to transmit a first offer to a first user based on at least one of user information or account information associated with the first user, wherein the first offer enables the first user to receive at least one of a first discount or rebate on a first purchase from a first merchant; and determine the first user has assigned the first offer to a second user, wherein the first offer enables the second user to receive at least one of a second discount or a second rebate on the first purchase from the first merchant. | 01-23-2014 |
20140032283 | System and method for Multi Merchant Next Hop Purchase Incentive Network - A system and method is disclosed that creates a next sale “buy one more time” network of merchants who, in one embodiment, are physically near each other, who promote a next purchase at a next merchant through the use of an electronic commerce medium with an incentive for a current merchant to become a paid sales agent for a next merchant. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039988 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING TRAFFIC POLLUTION - Methods and systems for controlling traffic pollution are disclosed. An environmental score and a financial incentive based on the environmental score may be provided. A vehicle having a pollution recording unit may be provided. The pollution recording unit may be configured to provide an environmental score based on the pollution behavior of the vehicle. A financial incentive may be determined based on the environmental score at a processing device communicatively coupled to the pollution recording unit. The financial incentive may be provided to an operator of the vehicle. | 02-06-2014 |
20140039989 | RV GOLF ASSOCIATION - A system and method facilitates member registration for an RV golf association via a computing device. A membership home page is generated on a computing device. At least one link is provided from the membership home page associated with at least one user type. At least one link to an application type associated with the selected user type is provided. Registration data and payment, if required, is received from the user. The user may be prompted to register for an email club that delivers relevant updates to registered users. A search feature that allows users to conduct searches for detailed information regarding the properties available through the RV golf association may be provided. | 02-06-2014 |
20140052506 | ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOUD-BASED ENVIRONMENTS - An energy efficient cloud-based environment includes multiple users requesting delivery of cloud-based services from a cloud service provider. Each user provides inputs for the delivery of one or more specific cloud based services. The inputs include the type of service, time frame for using the service, and either an energy efficiency level or a performance level pertaining to the service's delivery. The service provider allocates different resources to the users for delivering the requested services, and calculates an actual price and an operating energy cost for delivering the requested services to each of the users. The profit of the service provider due to users is calculated. An overall profit of the service provider associated with delivering the cloud-based services is calculated, and a fraction of the overall profit is distributed as an incentive among the users. The incentive of each user is proportional to the profit contribution of that user. | 02-20-2014 |
20140052507 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TARGETING MOBILE DEVICES DURING CHARGING - Methods and systems for targeting advertisements to mobile electronic devices while the devices are being charged are disclosed. An indication is received from a mobile electronic device that the device is currently being charged. Targeting criteria are determined based at least in part on usage of the mobile electronic device during a time period between the last charge and the current charge. An advertisement is selected based at least in part on the targeting criteria. The advertisement is transmitted to the mobile electronic device for display on the mobile electronic device. | 02-20-2014 |
20140058806 | METHODS FOR ENCOURAGING ENERGY-EFFICIENT BEHAVIORS BASED ON A NETWORK CONNECTED THERMOSTAT-CENTRIC ENERGY EFFICIENCY PLATFORM - A home energy efficiency platform is described having as its fundamental component a network-connected, multi-sensing learning thermostat that leverages a visually pleasing interactive display associated therewith to encourage energy-saving behavior by a competitive gamesmanship modality, either in terms of self-competition in which a users energy-saving performance is measured against themselves over time, or in terms of community competition in which a users energy-saving behavior is measured against a relevant community. | 02-27-2014 |
20140067494 | ACTIVITY MONITOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods that incentivize physical fitness of a user are discussed herein. In one embodiment, such a system can include a motion component and a control component. The motion component can monitor motion data associated with the user. The control component can provide one or more rewards to the user, wherein the rewards can be based at least in part on the user meeting a target associated with the motion data. | 03-06-2014 |
20140081719 | OFFERS BASED ON GIFT CARDS - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for determining an offer based on a gift card associated with a user's account. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive information associated with a gift card, the gift card associated with a merchant; associate the gift card with an account; and determine an offer based on the gift card, wherein the offer enables the account to receive a discount or rebate on a transaction. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081720 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING COUPONS IN A NEAR FIELD TRANSACTION - A method for processing a coupon in a near field transaction includes: receiving, by near field communication, payment details and a coupon record; identifying if the coupon record is valid by comparing the coupon record to a stored configuration profile; modifying the transaction amount for the transaction based on a modifier in the coupon record; and submitting an authorization request for the transaction with the modified transaction amount and the received payment details. A method for applying a coupon in a near field transaction includes: storing payment details in a contactless application; receiving coupon data and coupon details for the coupon; displaying the coupon details to a user; receiving an indication of selection of the coupon by the user; storing the coupon data in the contactless application; and transmitting, by near field communication, the payment details and coupon data in the contactless application for use in a financial transaction. | 03-20-2014 |
20140095273 | BASKET AGGREGATOR AND LOCATOR - A system and method for determining a basket, or total, price of items in a shopping list from various retailers is provided. Items may be added to the shopping list based on, for example, a coupon related to an item, items added to the shopping list by a user, items listed in a recipe, and items suggested for the user. The system may determine the price of the items from the various retailers and whether incentives are available for the items. If available and applicable, the incentives are applied to the total price for each retailer and a price comparison of total prices is generated. The price comparison results may be transmitted via various communication channels and may be displayed on a map. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095274 | Lost Item Database to Facilitate Recovery of Lost Items - In one embodiment, a system and method for monitoring lost items, includes a database configured to store lost item information, the lost item information pertaining to lost items recovered at one or more establishments; and a computing device operatively connected to the database, the computing device operable to: (i) receive lost item information for a given lost item that has been recovered at the one or more establishments; (ii) entry of a lost item record for the given lost item into the database, the lost item record includes the lost item information for the given lost item; (iii) browse or search the database to locate lost item of a current or prior patron of the one or more establishments; and (iv) facilitating transmission of an electronic recovery notification to the current or prior patron when the lost item of the current or prior patron has been located in the database. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095275 | PROMOTIONAL CODE DISTRIBUTION USING MOBILE DEVICES - Improved systems and methods to distribute codes, such as promotional codes, are disclosed. The improved systems and methods can enable recipients to acquire a downloadable asset from a networked-based distribution system. In one embodiment, through use of mobile devices, a code can be delivered and redeemed to acquire a downloadable asset with minimal burden to developer and recipient. In one implementation, delivery of the code to the recipient mobile device can be facilitated by providing the mobile device of the developer closely proximate to the mobile device of the recipient. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095276 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OFFERING COMBINATIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES FOR PURCHASE AND CONTROLLING EXPENSES - A method and system are provided for bundling primary goods or services offered by a first entity with secondary goods or services offered by a second entity. Using the system, lodging services (such as in the form of a lodging reservation) may be bundled with food (such as food or meal vouchers), whereby a customer may make a single reservation that includes a room reservation from a lodging provider and a food/meal voucher associated with a food services provider, such as for a single price. A method and system are also provided for issuing and redeeming value vouchers, such as upon presentation of a voucher by a customer to a food vendor. | 04-03-2014 |
20140108108 | CONSUMER PRESENCE BASED DEAL OFFERS - Systems and related methods facilitating payments with a mobile device are discussed herein. Circuitry in a networked-based central system, which may be a promotional system or payment system, may be configured to receive payment information from a consumer device. The consumer device may include circuitry configured to receive wallet identifying data from the central system. The wallet identification data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and another device, such as a merchant device, over a wireless link. In some embodiments, the consumer device may receive promotional offers, such as deal vouchers or rewards, and make payments to the other device via the wireless link. | 04-17-2014 |
20140122191 | ENCOURAGING SHOPPING ASSISTANCE BY CHILDREN USING DIGITAL SHOPPING LISTS - Systems and methods are disclosed for encouraging participation of children in a shopping trip. A parent assigns a number of items or specific items of a shopping list to a child and the assignment is transmitted to a child's device. A child's selection of a reward item is received from the child's device. An interface on the child's device enables check off of the items as the child retrieves them. Upon completion of the assignment, a parent may authorize check off of the reward item and this authorization may be transmitted to the child device. Check off of the reward item may then be enabled on the child device. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122192 | SELECTING PAYMENT PLATFORMS FOR ONLINE-TO-OFFLINE TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online offers for rewards that can be tracked to offline transactions for redemption. In order to protect sensitive consumer information, payment processing details such as credit card numbers and other authorizing data are redirected through a secure network to payment processing platforms, and then tokenized for subsequent use in relatively less secure data network communications and transactions. After a secure payment processing platform has authorized a transaction such as a reward for purchases, the payment processing platform can detect qualifying retail activity and generate corresponding rewards, which may be signaled to the customer through any suitable communications medium. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122193 | LEVERAGING PROCUREMENT ACROSS COMPANIES AND COMPANY GROUPS - A method and system for providing procurement services to customer companies. A user profile for each user, in a computer database, specifies: (i) each user is authorized by a first customer company of the customer companies to access procurement resources and the procurement services for purchasing items and (ii) the first customer company and a first company group of related customer companies. Access to volume discounts with respect to vendors is provided to all customer companies in the first company group. Companies are authorized to have access to and share each procurement resource, by providing a resource profile specifying for each procurement resource a set of customer companies authorized for accessing and sharing each procurement resource to be shared among the users. Access to the procurement resources is controlled resources based on: the first company group, the first customer company, and the resource profile for each procurement resource. | 05-01-2014 |
20140136300 | AUTHORIZED TRANSACTION INCENTED BY MERCHANT DONATION - A merchant incentivizes an account holder to make an authorized transaction by terms and agreement to auditably donate to the account holder's affinity entity. To incent desirable commerce with locals, the merchant's terms may limit its donation by a derivation of navigation time between account holder and merchant, and/or by date and time of the transaction. The account holder can direct the donation to one of more affinity entities within their own community, and/or within a community where the transaction was physically conducted. An account holds can also donate at the time of transaction where the donation is paid by the account's issuer for reimbursement as a debit to the account holder's account statement. Other payment system participants may donate (the merchant's acquirer, issuer, and transaction handler for the issuer and acquirer), by way of favorable interchange rates, can also make audible donations to account holder directed affinities entities. | 05-15-2014 |
20140136301 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALIDATION AND RELIABLE EXPIRATION OF VALUABLE ELECTRONIC PROMOTIONS - A validation, redemption and reliable expiration system for valuable electronic promotional items provides an electronic promotion system without the need for merchant hardware. The electronic promotion system utilizes customer devices to scan one or more merchant tags to validate and redeem electronic promotional items. Once redeemed, the electronic promotional items are expired or invalidated locally on the customer device to prevent subsequent use. In this way, a full-featured promotion, loyalty card, and check-in system can be quickly and easily deployed at low or no hardware cost to the merchant, while preventing unauthorized use of valuable electronic promotional items. | 05-15-2014 |
20140143029 | System and method for providing nutritional information and incentives via a mobile device - The invention is directed toward systems and methods facilitating access to manufacturer verified nutritional information of food items and incentives, for example, coupons, discount codes, and the like, using a mobile device, for example, a smartphone, and the like. Scans of food item barcodes or RFID tags facilitate retrieval of information associated with said barcodes or RFID tags via the GS1 system of standards for managing goods. | 05-22-2014 |
20140143030 | Method for Automatically Updating Content, Status, and Comments on Third Parties - A system and method for automatically removing or modifying original social media content based on a pre-determined set of rules. The method enables the original comment to be automatically be removed from public viewing based on pre-determined rules based on “the state” of either user A or user A as it applies to a third entity related to user A. Furthermore, content which is generated by a second party to a specific entity and can be transferred to a third entity based on status. Additionally, other parties can change status of the entity for the user A. Content may also be placed in “content escrow” where content would not be displayed publicly or would be removed when, if, or until a certain pre-condition status was met. Finally, a third user can contact a first user based on the relationship status to a second or middle user. | 05-22-2014 |
20140143031 | Methods for Detecting and Recording Physical Activity of Person - A motion detection component is operated to detect movement of the motion detection component. The movement detected by the motion detection component is recorded. A display is operated to provide a visual indication of an amount of the recorded movement. Electrical signals are communicated from the motion detection component through an electrical contact. The electrical signals are associated with the detected and recorded movement of the motion detection component. The motion detection component, the display, and the electrical contact are included within a band formed to secure to a part of a human body. | 05-22-2014 |
20140149191 | TECHNIQUE FOR NEGOTIATING WITH A CONSUMER WITHIN A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT - 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. | 05-29-2014 |
20140156360 | DYNAMIC EXPRESSIONS FOR REPRESENTING FEATURES IN AN ONLINE SYSTEM - Online systems, for example, social networking systems evaluate expressions based on features describing relations between entities represented in the online system. These expressions are represented using an expression language. The expression language allows features to be specified as functions of attributes from user accounts. The expressions support use of variables to represent computations, for example, sub-expressions. The expressions are dynamic, since expressions can be specified and executed at call time. The same set of expressions is used many times, e.g., to compute the same function for multiple feature sets, for example, user accounts. Expressions are preferably represented using postfix representation. However some expressions, for example, expressions using variables are represented as trees. To optimize the expressions at runtime, the expressions are cached using a representation determined to be efficient for executing the expression. The cached representation of the expression is applied to multiple feature sets, for example, user accounts. | 06-05-2014 |
20140172522 | TRANSACTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of facilitating transactions between a first party and a second party. The method comprises, receiving from the first party a first indication of interest for the transaction subject, generating a response and an response reveal date in response to receiving the first indication of interest, and transmitting the response to the first party on or after the response reveal date. | 06-19-2014 |
20140207542 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING GIFT CARD OFFER CONTINGENT UPON AN EVENT - A system and method provide for offering a consignment of a closed-loop card/code. The method includes presenting an offer associated with a closed-loop card/code to pay an offer amount, wherein the offer is triggered based on an occurrence of an event. The system receives an acceptance of the offer from a user and performs one of deactivating and suspending of the closed-loop card/code after receiving the acceptance. When the event occurs, the system notifies the user and pays an offer amount to the user after the event occurs. | 07-24-2014 |
20140222530 | PROGRAM HAVING A CONSUMER VALUE SCORE | 08-07-2014 |
20140278842 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND SENSING PROCESS - An apparatus for encoding a stove usage time includes a circuit, a temperature switch, an input device, and an output device. The circuit includes a processor and an internal timer. The temperature switch is communicatively linked to the circuit. The input device is electrically connected to the circuit and transmits a status request to the processor in response to receiving a user input. The internal timer increments an accumulated time of the internal timer by a usage time. The usage time is based on a duration the temperature switch detects temperatures higher than the minimum threshold. The processor accesses the incremented accumulated time of the internal timer and stores the accumulated time in a memory. The processor reads the incremented accumulated time from the memory, encodes the incremented accumulated time into an encoded value, and causes the output device to produce the encoded value in response to the status request. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278843 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANAGING ITEM PICKUP AT ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATIONS - Systems and methods for facilitating pick up of items from attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the system is configured for determining a deadline for retrieving a parcel delivered to an attended delivery/pickup location. In particular embodiments the system is configured to return the parcel to the sender when the recipient does not retrieve the parcel before the deadline. The system may be configured to provide one or more incentives to recipients to retrieve parcels before particular deadlines. | 09-18-2014 |
20140289027 | METHOD OF REUSING SHIPPING AND PACKING MATERIALS - A method of reusing a recyclable container comprises receiving information relating to a change in a location of a recyclable container based on a data device situated on the container and causing transfer of a deposit amount based on the change in location. A method of processing reusable materials comprises receiving a reusable packaging material with a data device associated with unique identifier data; associating a condition of the reusable packaging material with the unique identifier data; sorting reusable packaging material to send to manufacturers; and modifying the data associated with said unique identifier data to reflect the number of uses of the container and the destination of the container. | 09-25-2014 |
20140289028 | Location Aware Deals - In one embodiment, a request is received from a first user to create a location-triggered benefit that may be redeemed by a second user at a vendor and associated with a condition. The first user is not the vendor, and the condition may require that the second user go to a particular location. A record of the location-triggered benefit may be created in a database. Information may be received that the second user has satisfied the condition, and in response, the second user may be allowed to redeem the location-triggered benefit at the vendor. | 09-25-2014 |
20140297375 | Facilitating Commercial Transactions - Among other things, a computer-implemented method includes enabling, by an electronic pricing facility, purchases of a commodity at a protected price that represents a discount from a current price of the commodity that increases as the current price rises above a middle range of the current price. | 10-02-2014 |
20140304044 | RETURN COUPON HOLDER - A return coupon holder is described for holding a return coupon issued in a store in conjunction with a customer's merchandise return transaction. The return coupon holder is preferably sized large enough to discourage the customer from stowing the coupon away, such as in a handbag. Additionally, holders may be of different types that visually or electronically convey information about a category associated with the customer's return transaction. Thus, salespersons may accordingly provide appropriate customer service to the customer. The holder categories may indicate an approximate dollar value of the return transaction, a type of merchandise returned, a return payment method, an assessment of the profitability of the customer, an assessment of the risk of fraud associated with the return transaction, and the like. A computer decision system may select holder type. Some embodiments of the coupon holder are fitted with a device that allow tracing of the customer's movements while still in the store. | 10-09-2014 |
20140304045 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING INCENTIVE TARGET USERS - A method is provided for selecting incentive target users. The method includes a server configuring multiple incentive conditions based on preset rules. The method also includes the server selecting incentive conditions from multiple incentive conditions based on a first configuration instruction and forming multiple incentive sets by performing a logical combination of the selected incentive conditions. Further, the method includes the server selecting incentive sets from multiple incentive sets based on a second configuration instruction and forming an incentive program by performing a logical combination of the selected incentive sets. The method includes the server receiving user information of multiple user groups sent from a user terminal and selecting users whose information meets at least one incentive set included in the incentive program as incentive target users. | 10-09-2014 |
20140310076 | APPENDING ADVERTISING TO PERISHABLE VALIDATION TOKENS - Embodiments are directed to implementing targeted advertising in financial transactions. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication that a mobile wallet user has initiated a financial transaction. The indication includes identification information that identifies the mobile wallet user. The computer system next identifies the mobile wallet user using the received identification information and generates a validation token for validating the financial transaction initiated by the mobile wallet user. The validation token includes at least one targeted advertisement for the mobile wallet user. The computer system then sends the validation token that includes the targeted advertisement to the mobile wallet user. | 10-16-2014 |
20140316864 | Systems and Methods for Reward Issuance - Systems and methods are provided for reward issuance. An example system includes a business-layer entity, a delivery-adaptation-layer entity, and a reward-logic module in a delivery-layer entity. The business-layer entity is configured to receive a user-task-fulfillment message, generate, using one or more data processors, a reward-issuance request based on at least information associated with the user-task-fulfillment message, and output the reward-issuance request, the reward-issuance request including prize-related information. The delivery-adaptation-layer entity is configured to receive the reward-issuance request from the business-layer entity and output, using the one or more data processors, the reward-issuance request. The first reward-logic module in a delivery-layer entity is configured to receive the reward-issuance request from the delivery-adaptation-layer entity and process, using the one or more data processors, issuance of a first prize to a user based on at least the prize-related information of the reward-issuance request. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316865 | PLATOON TRAVEL SYSTEM - A platoon travel system organizes and performs a platoon travel of plural vehicles along a preset travel route. The system has a grouping unit that divides the plural vehicles into a top group and a tail end group based on projection area information of the vehicles, and groups vehicles with a projection area in a first range to the top group and vehicles with a projection area in a second range to the tail end group, which is less than the first range. A final position determination unit determines a position of each of the plural vehicles in the vehicle groups based on the depart point information, positions the top group vehicles in an ascending order of depart point distances, and positions the tail end group vehicles in a descending order of depart point distances, thereby preventing deterioration of whole platoon energy consumption. | 10-23-2014 |
20140330622 | SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SAVING PROCEDURES WITH MULTIPLE ENTITIES - A potential upcoming cancellation of a subscription to a subscription service for a subject customer profile can be detected. After the detection of the potential upcoming cancellation, a tailored customer saving procedure can be selected from among a plurality of available customer saving procedures (e.g., using a weighted algorithm and/or set selection rules). The selection of the tailored customer saving procedure can use and be based on computer-readable data representing user input associated with one or more customer profiles. In response to the detection of the potential upcoming cancellation, the selected tailored customer saving procedure can be performed. Definitions of at least a portion of the available customer saving procedures can be received from a second entity that is independent of a first entity that manages computing component(s) performing the foregoing acts. | 11-06-2014 |
20140330623 | FLEX SERVICE CAR WASH - A system and method of operating a carwash with flexible service offerings comprises providing an automated computer terminal at which a user of a vehicle can purchase a car wash and at least one additional service, such as a hand service, after receiving the car wash, determining a queue for the at least one additional service at the time a user purchases a car wash, calculating a price for the at least one additional service based on the queue and displaying the price for the at least one additional service on the automated computer terminal. If the queue for the at least one additional service is low or empty, the user is provided with a discount to incentivize the user to purchase such service. | 11-06-2014 |
20140344029 | Proactive bill pay method and system - In conjunction with the use of a computing device, a computer software system, product and series of method steps that: (a) detects accounts for which a customer is using an electronic bill pay service; (b) encourages the customer to switch all such bill pay transactions to a new bill pay service provider, (c) verifies the customer's accounts at the new bill pay provider, and (d) as desired electronically or automatically facilitate the switch of said customer's bill pay accounts to the new bill pay service provider. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344030 | UNIQUE CONTENT CREATION AND REMUNERATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention generally relates to web-based multimedia content systems. Specifically, the present invention relates to unique content creation and remuneration systems and methods. In preferred embodiments, user interaction with the system provides rewards and valuations of goods and services based on extrinsic characteristics, such as literary, cultural and artistic value of a good or service, as determined by users and other merit parameters. | 11-20-2014 |
20150046234 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING RESOURCES OF UTILITY PROVIDERS - A method and system for managing resources of various types of utility providers. The system includes a user interface configured to allow a consumer to select a rate plan having a limitation on resource usage and allow the consumer to select a level of participation in the rate plan and a server configured to vary a charge rate applied to a consumer's energy usage based on the level of participation selected through the user interface. | 02-12-2015 |
20150066609 | PERSONALIZED INCENTIVE SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS - Automation systems and methods of use thereof are generally disclosed. The systems may control devices, and may monitor use of a utility and provide feedback related to the utility usage. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including personalized incentives to encourage responsible usage of a utility. | 03-05-2015 |
20150081404 | DRIVER BEHAVIOR ENHANCEMENT USING SCORING, RECOGNITION AND REDEEMABLE REWARDS - A method for improving the driving behavior of a driver includes the step of receiving a request to establish a goal from a first user, such as a parent. A request to establish a non-monetary reward from the first user is received. The driving behavior of a second user, such as a teen, is monitored over time. The driving behavior of the second user is compared to the goal. Based upon the comparison, is may be indicated that the second user has met the goal and can receive the non-monetary reward. | 03-19-2015 |
20150081405 | FINANCIAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND INCENTIVE SYSTEM FOR FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS - Embodiments of the invention provide financial health assessment and incentive systems for financially responsible behaviors. The methods, apparatus and computer program products provide for receiving a financial behavior set associated with a customer, identifying a difference between the financial behavior set associated with the customer and a second financial behavior set, and providing to the customer an incentive to make an alteration to a financial behavior. In some example implementations, financial behaviors exhibited by or otherwise attributable to individuals who are socially affiliated with the customer via a social network are observed and associated with the customer. In some example implementations, advertisements for goods and/or services that are potentially attractive to the customer are directed to the customer in response to identifying a difference between the financial behavior set associated with the customer and the second financial behavior set. | 03-19-2015 |
20150088619 | TECHNIQUES FOR PROCESSING CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY INVOLUNARY DENIAL OF BOARDING - Techniques for processing customers affected by involuntary denial of boarding which facilitate electronic storage of completed forms. An example method includes displaying terms of a compensation award to a customer affected by involuntary denial of boarding by a computer, recording an electronic signature of the customer by the computer, and storing the terms and the electronic signature in a data store by the computer. The method may further include issuing the compensation award in accordance with the terms. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088620 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMINDING AND TRACKING USE OF REUSABLE CONTAINER AND CARRY PRODUCTS - The present disclosure relates to a system and method for reminding users to use, and for tracking usage of, reusable container and carry products such as reusable bags, boxes, cups, cup sleeves, and bottles, especially for food and beverages. In an aspect, the system and method provides an identification module which may be attached to or embedded within a reusable container or carry product. The identification module is preferably adapted to be detected by or be operatively connect to a mobile communication device such as a smart phone, smart watch, tablet, or some other device form factor. An app provided on the mobile communication device is used to provide a schedule or location based reminder to use the reusable product, and may track usage and environmental impact for an individual user or a group of users. Promotional incentives, rewards, and pre-payment options may be provided. | 03-26-2015 |
20150106173 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CARD LINK FILTERING - A method for providing transaction details for payment transactions indicative of offer redemption includes: receiving an offer listing including at least one merchant offer entry, wherein each entry includes an offer identifier and an indication of a valid merchant with which a corresponding offer for goods or services may be redeemed; receiving an offer linking notification including a consumer identifier and an indication of a selection of an offer corresponding to a specific merchant offer entry by a consumer associated with the consumer identifier; identifying a merchant identifier, wherein the merchant identifier corresponds to the valid merchant indicated in the specific merchant offer entry; storing a transaction processing rule, the rule including the identified merchant identifier and the consumer identifier; and transmitting transaction details for a payment transaction included in an authorization request, wherein the authorization request further includes at least the identified merchant identifier and the consumer identifier. | 04-16-2015 |
20150106174 | COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCOUNTING AND PROMOTING AUTOMOBILES FOR SALE - The present invention is a system and method for calculating a series of discounted sale prices for one or more vehicles offered for sale and making those calculated sale prices available to one or more potential vehicle purchasers such that the discounted sale prices each correspond to a series of elapsed time periods and are withheld from the potential vehicle purchasers until the period of time corresponding to a discounted sale price occurs. | 04-16-2015 |
20150112773 | FACILITATING ENVIRONMENT VIEWS EMPLOYING CROWD SOURCED INFORMATION - Facilitation of environment views employing crowd sourced information is provided. For example, an apparatus can determine a location of an environment of interest at a first defined time, and identify recording components proximate to the location substantially at the first defined time. The recording components can be communicatively coupleable to the apparatus. The apparatus can also request information from identified recording components, wherein the information is recorded by the recording components substantially at the first defined time, and stored at the recording components. The apparatus can receive the information from the identified recording components, and generate information indicative of a representation of an aspect of the environment substantially at the first defined time based on aggregating the received information. | 04-23-2015 |
20150112774 | Providing Offers and Associated Location Information - Provided is a process, including: obtaining a coupon issued by a merchant, the coupon being redeemable in-store, at a physical location of the merchant; obtaining one or more merchant location identifiers, the coupon only being redeemable at one or more merchant locations identified by the one or more merchant location identifiers; sending the coupon and the merchant location identifiers to publishers for presentation to consumers by the publishers on user devices of the consumers; and receiving indications from the user devices of the consumers that the consumers interacted with the coupon, the indications indicating a consumer selection of an in-store redemption option. | 04-23-2015 |
20150120404 | Method and Apparatus For Providing Information Related to an Offer to at Least One Mobile User - This disclosure relates to a method, performed in a computer-based apparatus ( | 04-30-2015 |
20150127433 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF PROVISIONING DISCOUNTS BASED ON TRAVEL DISTANCE - In view of the foregoing, embodiments herein provide methods and systems for providing discounts on basic price of services and/or products, wherein the method comprises allowing a user to select and book at least a service and/or product using a user device, identifying position of the user and a destination of booked service and/or product are available, calculating a predetermined radius from the destination, wherein the predetermined radius is an origin, calculating “as-the-crow-flies” travel distance of the user towards the destination during the user traveling within the origin, applying discounts on basic price of the booked service and/or product, wherein the discounts are dynamically applied based on the travel distance to determine dynamic discounted price, allowing the user to avail the discounts for the booked service and/or product; and allowing the user to make or authorize payment for the booked service and/or product. | 05-07-2015 |
20150134429 | WIRELESS IDENTIFIER DEVICE ENABLED INTERACTIVE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE - A system and method supporting user engagement in consumer activities at one or more locations of a merchant. | 05-14-2015 |
20150294345 | PRESENTATION OF PURCHASING INCENTIVES - Methods for creating a presentation of purchase incentives to a shopper. A presentation to present to a shopper is created. A depiction of a store layout is depicted on the presentation, where the store layout depicts a plurality of areas with each area being associated with a respective set of associated items within a plurality of items offered for purchase. A respective depiction is depicted, on the presentation of the store layout, for each of at least one purchase incentive. Each purchase incentive has a respective associated item within a plurality of items offered for purchase. The respective depiction is graphically linked to a respective area that is associated with the respective associated item. | 10-15-2015 |
20150324831 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING CUSTOMER LOYALTY INFORMATION - A method comprises a step of obtaining an identification code of a product, a step of receiving a physical location of the product from a buyer, a step of noting geographical locations seller(s) of the product in the vicinity of the physical location of the product, a step of comparing the geographical location with the physical location, and a step of recording a sales transaction of the product if the geographical location is away from the physical location more than a predetermined distance. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338238 | ELECTRICAL DEVICE INSTALLATION IMPROVEMENT - An electrical device is described that is adapted to be installed by connection to a mains electricity supply, the electrical device including communication means adapted to communicate to a monitoring entity, such as an energy company or similar, when the electrical device is installed. | 11-26-2015 |
20150339694 | Beacon-Triggered Code Redemption for Mobile Devices - Techniques and systems for beacon triggered code redemption are disclosed. Such a technique can include causing a mobile device to listen for beacon messages broadcast by a beacon device over a short-range communication link; receiving a beacon message from the beacon device; and exchanging information with a content provider to retrieve a redemption code associated with the beacon message. A beacon message can include a beacon identifier and an activity parameter specifying a code redemption action. The beacon identifier can be associated with an event that will occur, is occurring, or has occurred in the vicinity of the beacon device. The technique can further include displaying on a screen of the mobile device, a notification in regard to redeeming the redemption code configured for redeeming content associated with the event. | 11-26-2015 |
20150356584 | CROWD SOURCING COUPON REDEMPTION INFORMATION - A method for updating consumers is provided. The method comprises tracking coupon redemption activity across a plurality of store locations; maintaining a coupon redemption store list comprising stores that are currently able to redeem coupon based on the coupon redemption activity; and updating a plurality of client devices with at least a subset of information from the coupon redemption store list to enable shoppers to know the stores at which coupons are redeemable. | 12-10-2015 |
20150363807 | METHOD FOR ENCOURAGING SOCIAL CONSUMPTION OF COUPONS - The invention is a recommendation process that can be used by operators of a coupon recommendation system to utilize information about the social interactions between users of mobile devices in order to supply coupons to users who are potential customers of a business in a manner that maximizes the chances that the offered coupon will be consumed. | 12-17-2015 |
20150370674 | TENANT PROVISIONING FOR TESTING A PRODUCTION MULTI-TENANT SERVICE - A tenant provisioning system. The system allows users to request creation of test tenants for a multi-tenant service targeting specific infrastructure resources and automated bulk creation of test tenants. Test tenants created by the system are clearly identified as test tenants to prevent test tenants from being misreported by business intelligence systems providing information about the multi-tenant service. Automated provisioning of test tenants on a regular schedule provides a mechanism for monitoring the operation of the multi-tenant service. Further, the ability to provision a test tenant in specific infrastructure resources allows comprehensive operational testing of most or all infrastructure resources, as well as targeted testing of individual infrastructure resources. The system may provide test tenants with an expiration allowing automatic removal of out-of-date test tenants. The system reduces the costs and errors inherent with the manual creation of test tenants. | 12-24-2015 |
20150371276 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPLICATION FOR PROVIDING SECOND SCREEN ADVERTISMENTS AND REWARD OPPORTUNITIES TO A USER DEVICE - A system, method and application for displaying second screen advertisements and reward opportunities (e.g., loyalty points that can be exchanged for discount coupons, gift cards, cash, free items (digital or hard goods) or entertainment, etc.) when a user views and/or interacts with the second screen advertisements. The second screen advertisements are triggered by advertisements currently playing on a television (or other device capable of displaying television programs and advertisements) broadcasting a program selected by the user. | 12-24-2015 |
20160012460 | ENERGY-CONSUMPTION BASED INCENTIVE MANAGEMENT THROUGH SMART METER MONITORING | 01-14-2016 |
20160034649 | INTEGRATED HEALTH AND WEALTH ACCOUNT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computerized method and system for managing a multi-function, integrated account. The account may span multiple legal entities and contain both health and wealth data. The account may contain data pertaining to participants' health insurance, supplemental insurance, and other types of insurance (both health and non-health) and may track payment data, claim data, co-pays, etc. as well as data pertaining to the health of participants. Health data may further comprise information pertaining to participants' weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and fitness level. The multi-function account comprises financial data such as investment data, brokerage data, mortgage data, and savings, debit, and credit account data. Participants are further rewarded for partaking in certain health and financial activities and for performing certain health and financial tasks. Participants may dial a single telephone number or access a single web site in order to access the health and wealth data of the multi-function account. | 02-04-2016 |
20160034932 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING FINANCIAL BEHAVIORAL CHANGE - Some embodiments of the invention provide tools for promoting a user's financial well-being by encouraging positive financial behavior through timely feedback, counseling and instruction. For example, some embodiments of the invention may provide real-time (e.g., in response to a transaction being performed, or in response to the user indicating he/she is contemplating a transaction) useful analysis and advice designed to encourage the type of ongoing financial behavior that leads over time to financial well-being. | 02-04-2016 |
20160042378 | TIME AND WAYPOINT-BASED INCENTIVES FOR MOBILE DEVICES - The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for receiving incentives on a mobile device. A first message may be received based on a first location of the mobile device, such that the first message indicates to a user of the mobile device that an incentive will be provided if the user remains within a certain proximity a waypoint for a predetermined length of time, and a second message including may be received if a second location of the mobile device is within the certain proximity of the waypoint, such that an elapsed time between a determination of the first location and a determination of the second location is equal to or greater than the predetermined length of time. | 02-11-2016 |
20160048908 | INTERACTIVE COMPUTER NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer-based virtual interactive global marketplace system may facilitate the sale, over a network, of a real product or service by a seller to a buyer having access to a client device. The system may allow the buyer to customize the product or service and interact with digital non-playing characters to learn about the product or service. | 02-18-2016 |
20160055467 | COMMODITY DISCOUNT CARD - A discount commodity system is disclosed. The discount commodity system allows a consumer to purchase a fixed number of units of a commodity at an agreed upon price without taking delivery at the time of the purchase. In one embodiment, a purchaser is issued a discount card, similar to a credit card, that allows the consumer to purchase a desired number of units of a commodity at a point of sale (POS) terminal at the agreed upon discount In this embodiment, the discounted retail price of the commodity is based upon the raw commodity price not including any local fees, as discussed above, that are normally added on. As such, the discount commodity system disclosed herein can be provided without any geographical constraints. | 02-25-2016 |
20160055509 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND NODE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SENSOR DATA - Methods, computer program products, and sensor data exchange nodes in a communication network are disclosed for enabling distribution, and rewarding of sensor data in the communication network. The method includes receiving sensor data from a UE, transmitting the sensor data to a data processing node, receiving a value assessment of the sensor data from the data processing node, determining a reward based on the received value assessment by a reward unit, and storing the determination of the reward in a reward database. | 02-25-2016 |
20160092858 | RECOMMENDATION OF PAYMENT CREDENTIAL TO BE USED BASED ON MERCHANT INFORMATION - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing a recommendation of a payment credential to be used by an electronic device in a commercial transaction based on merchant information received by the electronic device are provided. In one example embodiment, a method, at an electronic device that includes a secure element that includes at least one payment credential, includes, inter alia, accessing credential availability data indicative of the at least one payment credential, accessing merchant context data associated with a merchant subsystem, wherein the merchant context data is indicative of a preference for a first type of payment credential over a second type of payment credential, and presenting payment recommendation data based on the accessed credential availability data and the accessed merchant context data. Additional embodiments are also provided. | 03-31-2016 |
20160092899 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING GAMIFICATION TO IMPROVE ECO-DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND MEASURE FUEL REDUCTIONS - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for improving eco-driving behavior through gamification. Systems receive, at a user device, a fuel-efficiency metric for a vehicle associated with a user of the user device as the vehicle is traveling and identify a fuel-efficiency standard for the vehicle from a standards database. The system also enrolls the user in a game which promotes fuel efficient driving based on the fuel-efficiency metric and the fuel-efficiency standard. When the game indicates a threshold efficiency has been reached, based on the fuel-efficiency metric and the fuel-efficiency standard, the system assigns a reward to the user. | 03-31-2016 |
20160092946 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CALCULATING AND PROVIDING HOTEL RATE INFORMATION - A method for determining a hotel rate can include providing a predetermined number of hotel rooms for a predetermined number of nights, and providing a base rate for each of the predetermined rooms. The predetermined number of rooms is multiplied by the predetermined number of nights to yield a room night product, on which a discount is based. The discount is applied to the base rate to determine the hotel rate. Another method of determining a hotel rate can include selecting at least one hotel room for date(s) occurring within a particular week period (week 1) subject to a first base rate, and additional date(s) occurring within another particular week period (week 2) that is subject to a different base rate. The first and second base rates are added together, and the discount is applied to the sum to determine the hotel rate. | 03-31-2016 |
20160140592 | BENEFIT AWARDING SYSTEM, SERVER DEVICE, AND BENEFIT AWARDING METHOD - A benefit awarding system includes a terminal device and a server device. The terminal device includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires a product identifier for identifying a product; and a first transmitting unit that transmits a user identifier indicating a user and the product identifier acquired by the first acquiring unit, in a case where this terminal device is positioned inside a shop. The server device includes: a first receiving unit that receives the user identifier and the product identifier transmitted by the terminal device; and an update unit that updates benefit information stored in a storage unit in association with the user identifier received by the first receiving unit, with information indicating benefits corresponding to the product identifier received by the first receiving unit. | 05-19-2016 |
20160140593 | Discount Delivery Systems and Methods - A method of delivering a discount on a purchasable item includes capturing a message of the item by a device. The device processes the message and sends a message artifact. A discount service computer receives and parses the message. The message is matched to a record of an eligibility database, if any exist in the eligibility database, or else a corresponding record for the message is generated. A discount database is accessed for a discount coupon relevant to the record and the purchasable item identity. The discount coupon is sent to the device. The item is discounted at point of purchase, and the applicable record of the discount database is updated. | 05-19-2016 |
20160148238 | LINE MANAGEMENT BASED ON USER TOLERANCE - A system or method is provided to detect the positions of various users in line and determine the users' tolerance for waiting in line. Based on the tolerance of the users for waiting in line, the system may rearrange the line positions of the users accordingly. The user's tolerance may be detected by their current position, their current movements and activities, the user's purchase or transaction history, interests and hobbies, past line waiting experience, and the like. In an embodiment, the system may determine incentives or rewards and may offer them to the users who are waiting in line to incentivize them to stay in line. | 05-26-2016 |
20160148239 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND ITEM INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device and item information providing are provided. The electronic device includes a communication module configured to receive item information of at least one item from a management server, a display configured to display a user interface including the item information, an input module configured to receive a user input selecting an item from among the displayed item information, a sensor module configured to collect motion data of the electronic device, and a control module configured to check a mission corresponding to the selected item and to transmit mission performance information, obtained based on the motion data, to the management server through the communication module. | 05-26-2016 |
20160180363 | Managing Customer Interactions with a Product Being Presented at a Physical Location | 06-23-2016 |
20160180364 | METHOD OF DRIVING SALES OF A PHYSICAL PRODUCT | 06-23-2016 |
20160189189 | CUSTOMER INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - Provided is a customer information processing device ( | 06-30-2016 |
20160253691 | Method of Generating and Delivering Digital Product Coupons through Reverse Micro Coupon Auctions by Executing Computer-Executable Instructions Stored On a Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium | 09-01-2016 |
20160379238 | VIRTUAL REDEEMABLE INSTRUMENTS - A method of processing redeemable instruments, such as virtual scratch cards or virtual coupons, is described. A redeemable instrument is delivered to a first electronic device. The redeemable instrument includes a user interface configured to react to a redemption activity of a user, the redemption activity causing redeemable instrument information of the redeemable instrument to be first provided to the user. Furthermore, it is determined that the redeemable instrument has been redeemed using a second electronic device different from the first electronic device, and recorded that the redeemable instrument has been redeemed. Furthermore, a computer system for processing redeemable instruments is described. | 12-29-2016 |
20170236137 | POINT CALCULATION DEVICE, BOAT, POINT CALCULATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM | 08-17-2017 |
20180025338 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM AND CHARGING MANAGEMENT METHOD | 01-25-2018 |
20190147471 | EXCHANGING CONSUMPTION OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ACCESS TO DIGITAL MEDIA DECOUPLED IN TIME, VALUE, AND LOCATION | 05-16-2019 |
20190147482 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RELEVANT ELECTRONIC OFFERS IN A MOBILE BANKING APPLICATION | 05-16-2019 |
20220138713 | PURCHASE SUPPORT DEVICE AND STORE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A purchase support device includes a communication section configured to communicate with an information terminal to receive purchaser identification information, data related to commodities to be purchased, and a settlement declaration that indicates whether or not settlement of the commodities to be purchased has initiated, a first memory region in which the purchaser identification information is stored in association with terminal identification information, a second memory region in which data related to the commodities to be purchased is stored in association with the purchaser identification information, and a processor. The processor is configured to issue, upon determining that the settlement declaration indicates that the settlement of commodities to be purchased has initiated, a disabling command through the communication section to another information terminal, wherein the disabling command causes said another information terminal to disable acceptance of additional data related to commodities to be purchased. | 05-05-2022 |
20220138804 | USING COGNITIVE COMPUTING TO PROVIDE TARGETED OFFERS FOR PREFERRED PRODUCTS TO A USER VIA A MOBILE DEVICE - Techniques are disclosed utilizing cognitive computing to improve commercial communications from vendors to users. A user's financial account(s) and location may be monitored to determine when a user is within a threshold distance of a vendor. If the user is within the threshold distance the methods and systems disclosed may determine which targeted commercial communications to transmit to the user based upon a shopping profile for the user. The shopping profile may include a dataset indicative of the shopping habits of the user. | 05-05-2022 |