Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20090265241 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A REWARDS ACCOUNT TO FUND A TRANSACTION - Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. | 10-22-2009 |
20090271265 | ELECTRONIC RECEIPT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method are provided for generating and storing electronic receipts from any type of public facing business having a live point-of-purchase and utilizing electronic payment systems, namely, a point-of-sale (POS) system having a credit card terminal or electronic cash register (ECR). A user can associate with his or her account one or more identifiers such as a credit or debit card or phone number, and the system and method can be used to facilitate a product return, accept coupons online and redeem them in-store, generate and transmit a gift receipt, and participate in retailer loyalty programs. The system and method further include account interfaces for registered merchants and users to view and manage their account information. | 10-29-2009 |
20090281891 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VENDING MACHINE FINANCING - According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with facilitating and/or managing vending machine financing and/or other vending machine agreements. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281892 | Methods for Providing an Interactive Networked Product Container - Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287564 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAXIMIZING A REWARDS ACCUMULATION STRATEGY DURING TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287565 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POINT OF INTERACTION BASED POLICY ROUTING OF TRANSACTIONS - Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292607 | USER SELECTABLE FUNCTIONALITY FACILITATOR - Embodiments of the present invention provide a user station or input medium allowing a user to view available functions and to enter selection information for requesting the association of one or more functions with a user operation vehicle. A verifier, responsive to the user station or input medium, can be provided to determine based upon a set of pre-determined rules, whether the user is entitled to the selected functions. A linkage generator can be provided to associate a user operation vehicle with the selected functions after they have been verified by the verifier. A reward function may also be combined with one or more of the functions associated with the user operation vehicle. Interoperability can also be provided between functions on a user operation vehicle based on a pre-determined set of rules. The interoperability between functions may be bidirectional. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299848 | Method and Apparatus for a Promotional Couponing System - A method and apparatus for the creation and management of promotional coupons are provided. Promotional coupon templates are written in a template definition language and promotions, promotional campaigns, and triggers for the generation and issuance of promotional coupons based on the promotional coupon templates are defined. The promotional coupons may be printed either in real time, based on a predetermined date and/or time, or based on other triggers by a printer. Furthermore, the method and apparatus facilitate management of the redemption of promotional coupons for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. The system uses a host system and a graphical front-end. The system further includes at least one printer and may include routing devices. The system may interface with other systems such as a point of sale system or slot accounting system. | 12-03-2009 |
20090307080 | SHOPPING LIST MANAGEMENT AND DISCOUNT ORGANIZER - According to some embodiments, a method and system are provided to scan a plurality of coupon identifiers into a handheld device where each coupon identifier is associated with a product coupon, categorize the plurality of coupon identifiers in a memory of the handheld device, select one or more of the plurality of coupon identifiers to transmit by scanning an identifier of one or more household products into a handheld device, and transmit the selected one or more of the plurality of coupon identifiers to an electronic cash register. | 12-10-2009 |
20090319364 | Image capturing apparatus, method for capturing an image shown in a display and arrangement of an image capturing unit and of a display as well as use of the image capturing apparatus and use of the arrangement - To improve image capture from a display or a surface, more specifically from a specular reflecting surface, the invention proposes an image capturing apparatus having an image capturing unit and an image fitting surface in which the optical axis of the image capturing unit is disposed at an angle α to a normal of the image fitting surface. | 12-24-2009 |
20100049601 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING SUBSCRIPTIONS - A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription may be established after receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established, such as a frequency and a duration of the subscription. | 02-25-2010 |
20100057554 | Method and System for Enabling Promotion of Product(s) and/or Service(s) - At least one promotional program manager provides a plurality of merchants with a list of item identifiers for a plurality of items eligible for a promotion, and a list of device identifying numbers of payment devices associated with the promotion. A given one of the merchants identifies, during a putative purchase transaction with a given one of the payment devices, at least one of the plurality of items eligible for the promotion. The given one of the merchants, and an acquiring entity, cooperatively format and dispatch an authorization request. The authorization request is sent to an issuing entity of the given one of the payment devices, via an operator of a payment network. The authorization request includes a given one of the device identifiers associated with the given one of the prepaid payment devices, a given one of the item identifiers associated with the at least one of the plurality of items eligible for the promotion, and price data associated with the at least one of the plurality of items eligible for the promotion. The issuing entity prepares and sends an authorization request response to the authorization request. The authorization request response is sent from the issuing entity to the merchant, via the operator of the payment network and the acquiring entity. The authorization request response indicates whether the putative purchase of the at least one of the plurality of items eligible for the promotion with the given one of the prepaid payment devices is approved. The method further includes the promotional program manager applying the promotion to the given eligible item. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063875 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR WIRELESSLY PREPROCESSING A TRANSACTION WHILE IN A QUEUE FOR A POINT-OF-TRANSACTION - A transaction is preprocessed wirelessly in response to a wireless transaction preprocessing user device being in a queue for a point-of-transaction. The transaction that was preprocessed is then completed in response to the wireless transaction preprocessing user device reaching the point-of-transaction. Financial transactions and/or purchase of goods and/or services may thereby be preprocessed wirelessly and then completed at a point-of-transaction. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed. | 03-11-2010 |
20100076836 | CONSUMER INFORMATION AND PROMOTION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system configured to receive and record product-level and consumer-level information about a plurality of consumer transactions across a plurality of merchants in real-time or near real-time. Product marketers can then access this information for marketing purposes. In one embodiment, product marketers store conditional promotional offers on the system and the system determines, for each consumer transaction that it receives information about, whether the consumer or the transaction satisfies the conditions of one or more promotional offers stored on the system. If the conditions of a promotional offer are satisfied, the system sends the offer to the consumer and/or applies the promotion to the current transaction. In one embodiment, the system is maintained by the bank holding the consumer's account and/or issuing the consumer's credit or debit card involved in the transaction. | 03-25-2010 |
20100088176 | System and Method for Generating Price-Per-Unit (PPU) Discounts for Fuel - A fuel rewards program wherein awards received from the purchase of discount-triggering items at a first transaction are redeemed for a price-per-unit (PPU) discount on fuel. A scanner scans product codes and inputs the information to a POS system through a comparator such that a product may be determined to be a discount-triggering item. Information regarding the discount-triggering item is first stored in a potential buffer. A rewards process processes the information in the potential buffer and stores that information in a filtered potential buffer. A potential file accumulates basic information about one or more transactions. A purchase buffer stores all of the information, which is ultimately printed on a cash register receipt. The receipt may be scanned at a fuel dispenser to begin the redemption of the PPU discount on the fuel. | 04-08-2010 |
20100100434 | GLOBAL ELECTRONIC RECEIPT PLATFORM FOR RECORDING, MANAGING AND ACCESSING TRANSACTION RECEIPTS THROUGH RETAILERS' PHYSICAL OR INTERNET BASED POINT OF SALE SYSTEM - A global electronic receipt platform for recording, managing and accessing transaction receipts through retailers' physical or internet based point of sale system. This system allows consumers to be assigned a Consumer Unique Identifier (CUI) and have retailers submit a given purchase transaction information to this global system through a secured internet connection between the retailer's point of sale system and the global electronic receipt system every time the CUI is presented. Programmed plugs-ins called Global Electronic Receipt Transfer Agents (GERTA) are made available to retailers which can be integrated into existing point of sale systems in order to process and submit electronic receipts to the Global Electronic Receipt Database Agent (GERDA). Each consumer is provided with an electronic receipt card which stores their Consumer Unique Identifier (CUI) and is presented at the time of purchase or in order to process a return, an exchange or claim a promotion such as a coupon or a rebate. This same UI is used to get access to different interfaces in order to view, manage and search through their transaction history consisting of the detailed electronic receipts generated from the different retail stores and stored in GERDA. The UI may also be linked to a credit card number and/or a phone number and/or email and/or any other loyalty card and/or any other data string accepted by the system and used to identify the consumer through the electronic receipt system in order to identify the customer at the time of purchase without the need for the electronic receipt card. Advertisers and retailers are provided with tools in order to send promotions and communicate with a selected consumer base which meets defined criteria based on the consumers' profile and purchase history stored in GERDA. | 04-22-2010 |
20100121701 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNIQUELY IDENTIFYING POINT OF SALE DEVICES IN AN OPEN PAYMENT NETWORK - A system, apparatus, and method for using a point of sale (POS) terminal as part of an electronic payment transaction. A unique number, code, alphanumeric character string, or other form of identification is assigned to each terminal manufacturer. Each terminal manufacturer then assigns a unique global identifier to each terminal they manufacture. The identifier assigned by the manufacturer may incorporate or be derived from the unique identifier assigned to each manufacturer. In the course of an electronic payment, other form of transaction, or other function or operation of the terminal, the POS terminal's unique global identifier is provided to a payment processor or other electronic payment network entity. This information, alone or in combination with portable consumer device data and transaction data, may be used to provide new services, content, and products to consumers or merchants. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131348 | SMALL STORE SYSTEM - System and methods of use are discloses that default routing of an ID read by an ID reader as part of a purchase transaction in a retail store, to a first computer system (MCS) instead of the POS computer system for the retail store, the first computer system processes the ID, and the POS computer system receives the results of the processing in the form of a IDs recognizable by the POS computer system and for which the POS computer system has associated costs. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131349 | SMALL STORE SYSTEM - System and methods of use are discloses that default routing of an ID read by an ID reader as part of a purchase transaction in a retail store, to a first computer system (MCS) instead of the POS computer system for the retail store, the first computer system processes the ID, and the POS computer system receives the results of the processing in the form of a IDs recognizable by the POS computer system and for which the POS computer system has associated costs. | 05-27-2010 |
20100145789 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOADING DIGITAL TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO A PERSONAL DIGITAL DEVICE - In a system for providing digital transaction documents to a personal digital device for digital barcode redemption at retail, a browser-enabled personal digital device or a hosted personal digital device (“hosted PDD”) may be used. In the latter instance, the host illustratively is a personal computer running any suitable web browser, and the hosted PDD is connected to the host in any suitable manner. The web browser is connected to the Internet in any suitable manner, along with a profile server and a promotions server. The web browser includes a browser-based plug-in object or webdriver, which operates independently within the web browser to load to the personal digital device digital transaction documents pushed directly by the promotions server or indirectly by the profile server via the Internet. The load operations are transparent to the user of the personal digital device. The profile server may have content management tools to enable the user to manage content, or the webdriver may have additional functionality to enable management of content. The personal digital device may be used at a point-of-sale to present any of the digital transaction documents by transmitting a pulsed beam of light to a barcode scanner. | 06-10-2010 |
20100161403 | Method and apparatus for completing a transaction using a wireless mobile communication channel and another communication channel - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for completing a transaction using a wireless mobile communication channel and another communication channel, particularly another communication channel that provides for near field radio channels (NFC), as well as other communication channels, such as Bluetooth or WIFI. The present invention also provides a method of completing a transaction in which a management server assists a transaction server and a point of sale terminal in forwarding transaction information to a hand-held mobile device, with the transaction having originated from the hand-held mobile device. There is also provided a hand-held mobile device that wirelessly communicates between a secure element and a radio element that are associated with the hand-held mobile device. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161404 | PROMOTIONAL ITEM IDENTIFICATION IN PROCESSING OF AN ACQUIRED TRANSACTION ON AN ISSUED ACCOUNT - Disclosed methods enable an open loop system processing of private label and co-branded account transactions. Implementations in the open loop system employ communications directly between a merchant and an issuer offering promotional financing for a promotional item being purchased from the merchant. Other implementations in the open loop system enable different transaction amounts in an authorization request message and its corresponding authorization response as are respectively sent and received by a merchant, where the different can be for a promotion offered to an accountholder for conducting a transaction on an account with the merchant. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161405 | CUSTOM SETTLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS - Processing transactions involving private label portable consumer devices is presented. For a transaction involving a portable consumer device in a payment processing network, an authorization request from a merchant is received by a transaction handler. The transaction handler, in communication with the issuer, denies or approves the transaction. For approved transactions, the merchant sends a settlement request to the transaction handler. If the transaction is identified as involving a private label portable consumer device, the transaction handler applies a custom settlement arrangement rate to the payment sought, generally reducing the payment amount. The applied payment amount is received from the issuer and forwarded to the merchant. If the applied payment amount is less than the actual amount owed to the merchant, the merchant sends a request to the issuer of the private label payment device to settle the transaction in accordance with a custom settlement agreement. | 06-24-2010 |
20100174600 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CREDITS FOR GAME PLAY - Systems and methods are provided for offering a voucher which is redeemable for credits at a casino. The voucher may be redeemed for a first value of credits. One is charged a second value for the voucher, in which the second value is less than the first value. If the person is purchasing an additional product or service, the person may also be charged a reduced price for that product. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174601 | System and Method for Redeeming Coupons - A method dealing with the marketing of manufacturer products using promotional coupons and web based point of sale technology that inventories and matches coupon promotions based on the demands of the consumer. Shopping lists are matched to coupons offered, which provides a mechanism for consumers to prioritize and anticipate buying based on expiration and/or value of coupons. Coupons are presented to the consumer via a website. As the consumer views each coupon, they can bank selected coupons. A coupon bank account is maintained including all coupons banked and redeemed. The consumer does not retain a physical coupon instead at the end of the transaction goods purchased are matched with the coupon bank selected by the consumer. Users are identified through the retailer's loyalty program or a universal coupon card for companies without a loyalty card. After products are matched the coupon value is deducted from the total bill. | 07-08-2010 |
20100179872 | ELECTRONIC COUPON PROCESSING SYSTEM - An electronic coupon processing system includes a plurality of user management server devices configured to register one or a plurality of different user identifiers and to register designated coupon information, and a center server device configured to register address information of a storage location of one piece or plural pieces of coupon information in association with identification information of a mobile device and to receive an inquiry about the coupon information from a shop terminal device. | 07-15-2010 |
20100198677 | Method of Selling and Activating Consumer Products and Services - A business method for products and services. The business model provides for retail purchase of a product or service. The product or service is then transported from the retail point of purchase to a professional. The professional then activates the product or service for the consumer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100211452 | DIGITAL VOUCHER PROCESSING SYSTEM - A digital voucher system facilitates the convenient application of vouchers against products and services purchased from a merchant by a consumer. A voucher enabled device carried by the consumer stores digital vouchers in memory. When the merchant detects a voucher enabled device nearby, the merchant queries and obtains applicable vouchers for the consumer from the voucher enabled device carried by the consumer, applies the vouchers to a transaction, and communicates the resulting transaction data back to the voucher enabled device. | 08-19-2010 |
20100217660 | CONTEXT-INDUCED WIRELESS NETWORK TRANSPORT FOR CONTENT AND PROFILE INFORMATION - In accordance with the present invention, context-induced wireless network information and content transport systems and methods are provided. In another aspect of the present application, a system includes first and second mobile devices that store respective interest profiles. A further aspect of the present application provides that wireless point-to-point connections are formed when the first and second mobile devices are in close physical proximity to each other. In another aspect, the mobile devices automatically exchange advertising content between each other based on the respective interest profiles over the wireless point-to-point connections. Yet another aspect employs a content distribution device wirelessly transmitting advertising content to one of the first and second mobile devices when the one of the first and second mobile devices is in close physical proximity to the content distribution device. A method of operating such a wireless network is also provided. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217661 | System and Method for Advertising to a Wi-Fi Device - A method is disclosed for providing information related to goods available for purchase in a building. The method includes establishing a plurality of boundary zones where each of the plurality of boundary zones corresponding to a physical boundary zone within a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network. The method also includes storing product information related to the goods available for purchase that are located within at least one boundary zone of the plurality of boundary zones. | 08-26-2010 |
20100268592 | PAPERLESS CONSUMER COUPON SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system, method and computer program product for promotion processing and delivery, including a smart phone having a capture function for capturing a product code of an item, wherein the smart phone is configured to generate and display a promotion having a barcode based on the captured product code of the item; and a point-of-sale terminal configured to read the displayed barcode of the promotion from the display of the smart phone, wherein the point-of-sale terminal applies the promotion based on the read barcode to a sales transaction. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268593 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING COUPON OFFERS AND BARCODES - A system or method that enables the user to create a coupon offer by selecting a barcode type for a coupon offer. In response to the user's selection, the user is presented with an interface that is specific to the selected barcode type. The interface includes one or more fields that notify or guide the user in providing necessary information to be carried on the barcode of the coupon offer. | 10-21-2010 |
20100299198 | Message Broker for Redemption of Digital Incentives - A message broker for redemption of digital incentives at a point-of-sale terminal for a commercial transaction that is able to communicate with a central database external to the point-of-sale terminal. The central database contains unique customer registration information, unique identifiers assigned to the unique customer registration information, business rules for redemption of digital incentives. Redemption of digital incentives at the point-of-sale terminal occurs at the time of purchase as follows: the customer's purchases are recorded in a basket list at the point-of-sale terminal; the customer presents their unique identifier; point-of-sale terminal initiates an instruction to process a transaction; the message broker routes the unique identifier and the basket list to the central database which applies the rules for redemption of digital incentives and returns validated applicable digital incentives to the message broker which forwards the validated digital incentives to the point-of-sale terminal for redemption; the point-of-sale terminal applies the validated digital incentives to the customer's purchase; and the message broker routes an acknowledgement message to the central database. | 11-25-2010 |
20100312633 | DUAL RANGE CELLULAR TELEPHONE COUPON CARD GENERATION - A method for use in a payment processing network is provided. The method includes browsing to an Internet website in communication with a web service having a database storing electronic coupons. Each electronic coupon is associated with a sponsor's account and is receivable by a merchant for a discount, where the discount is debited from the sponsor's account and credited to the merchant's. The browser sends the selected electronic coupon and a specification including the rendering capability of the client, the type of portable coupon device, and an identifier for the consumer account associated with the portable coupon device. The browser then receives a rendering image, the memory storage location for the discount information, and the discount information, which includes identifiers for the sponsor account, the discount amount, and the eligible purchase. Finally the discount information is written to the memory of the portable coupon device. | 12-09-2010 |
20100312634 | COUPON CARD POINT OF SERVICE TERMINAL PROCESSING - A method of using a point of service terminal (POS) to provide a discount on a purchase is presented. The method includes receiving a portable coupon device associated with a consumer account. Stored in the memory of the portable coupon device is an electronic coupon associated with a sponsor account and which is receivable by a merchant for a discount on a purchase, the discount being debited from the sponsor's account. Also stored in memory is the discount information, which includes identifiers for the sponsor's account, a discount amount, and the purchase eligible for the discount. The discount information is then read from the portable coupon card and a transmission is formed requesting authorization of the electronic coupon. An authorization response is received and, if it includes an approval, the discount is applied to the cost of the purchase and payment for the cost less the discount amount is accepted. | 12-09-2010 |
20100312635 | FREE SAMPLE COUPON CARD - A portable coupon payment device includes a substrate having surface with an image rendering thereon that corresponds to a free sample. The portable coupon payment device also has memory, in contact with the substrate, having data encoded therein including (i) an identifier for the free sample, (ii) a quantity for the free sample; (iii) a sponsor company account for a selling merchant to charge the cost of the free sample for payment to a selling merchant account to reimburse the selling merchant for the free sample; (iv) an image corresponding to the free sample; and (v) an identifier for a coupon provider donating the free sample to a consumer. | 12-09-2010 |
20100312636 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING STORED VALUE TO A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION - A transaction processing service operates as an intermediary between acquirers of financial transaction requests and issuing institutions that process the financial transaction requests. The intermediary receives an authorization request generated based on a transaction initiated by a customer at a point of purchase. The intermediary service then determines one or more stored value items that can be applied to the transaction. Stored value items may be determined based on the customer's identity or based on transaction characteristics, such as the point of purchase or the transaction items. The service sends a transaction notification to a mobile device associated with the customer to notify the customer of the available stored value items. The service then applies the stored value items to pay a portion of the transaction amount and initiates a payment process to pay the remainder of the transaction amount. | 12-09-2010 |
20110010238 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ISSUING, AGGREGATING AND REDEEMING MERCHANT REWARDS - A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. The user is awarded loyalty points from the merchant based on the amount of the purchase (e.g. 100 points for a $100 purchase). The reward points, which are specific to the merchant and the user, are stored in a database at the issuing bank, the acquiring bank, or a central reward server. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network, depending on the configuration of the system. | 01-13-2011 |
20110015986 | ARTICLE SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SALES DATA EDITING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an article sales data processing apparatus includes a list display control unit, a selection unit, an editing acceptance unit, and an update unit. The list display control unit causes a list of articles sold in one transaction to be displayed in the details area. The selection unit accepts selection of an article, of the articles displayed in the details area. The editing acceptance unit causes the display unit to display an editing screen for the sales data of the article selected by the selection unit, and accepts editing of the sales data. When the sales data displayed in the editing screen is edited, the update unit updates the sales data of the article selected by the selection unit, of the sales data of each article stored in the transaction storage unit, to the edited data. | 01-20-2011 |
20110022456 | MOBILE PHONE EQUIPPED WITH BAR CODE READER AND RELATED METHOD - A communication device comprises a transmitter, a receiver and a bar code reader. In one embodiment the communication device comprises a combined or integrated mobile telephone and bar code reader. Further, a method is provided for promoting the sale of a selected good or service. The method comprises the steps of receiving a bar code for a selected good or service from the communication device of the consumer and sending a coupon for the selected good or service to the communication device of the consumer. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022457 | LOCATION SPECIFIC PROMOTION OF STORE - A method of promoting sales at specific store locations includes the step of providing a promotional website on the internet. The method also includes allowing a consumer to designate on that website a specific store location and a specific good or service for purchase at the designated store location. Further, the method includes sending a coupon for purchase of the designated good or service at the designated store location. | 01-27-2011 |
20110029370 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENCE DETECTION - The transmission system transmits an encrypted identifier ultrasonically in an open-air environment using an ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic identifier is associated with a location, which may be a store or a department within a store, and may be received by a microphone on a mobile phone. The identifier may be used to infer presence of the mobile phone user at the location associated with the identifier. The transmitter may include an ultrasonic transducer. The system may further provide a reward, responsive to inferring presence at the location. | 02-03-2011 |
20110047024 | CASH CHANGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system for exchanging cash change, owed by a vendor to a customer as a result of the customer purchasing a good or a service from the vendor, for an alternative offer of a good or a service, said system for performing the steps of generating change data representing a monetary value of the cash change owed to the customer by the vendor; generating offer data representing said alternative offer of said good or service; receiving acceptance data representing confirmation of acceptance of exchange of said cash change for said alternative offer of said good or service; and generating confirmation data representing confirmation of acceptance of exchange of said cash change for said alternative offer of said good or service, wherein said offer data has an offer value corresponding to said change data. | 02-24-2011 |
20110066485 | WIRELESS ELECTRONIC COUPONING TECHNIQUE - An electronic couponing technique includes transferring coupon information, which may include a coupon ID (identification) to a first portable terminal and storing same therein. The portable terminal displays a representation of the transferred coupon information on a display thereof. The stored coupon information may be transferred from the portable terminal to another terminal for redemption. The stored coupon information may also be transferred from the portable terminal to another portable terminal. Various schemes may be used to transfer the coupon information including a Bluetooth low-range radio link or an optical bar code scanner scanning an optical bar code or an infrared link or a wireless link from the portable terminal. The Internet or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) may also be used in transferring the coupon information to and from the various terminals. | 03-17-2011 |
20110093326 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OFFERING AND FULFILLING SITUATION-BASED, LOCATION SPECIFIC REWARDS AND OFFERS TO MOBILE-ORIENTED CONSUMERS - A system, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for advertising. A system configured to practice the method receives user situation information. Based on the situation information, the system transmits an advertisement to the user's mobile device, wherein the advertisement is associated with an identification card and a coupon and transmitted independent of any user solicitation for a communication and independent of a request for a product or a service. The system receives input from the user via the advertisement for purposes other than redeeming the coupon; and, and receives an indication of a purchase associated with the advertisement and completed at a point of sale device using the identification card, wherein the mobile device differs from the point of sale device and wherein the purchase is at full price and a rebate associated with the coupon and the identification card is provided to the user. | 04-21-2011 |
20110106609 | ELECTRONIC COUPONING FOR PAYMENT PROCESSING - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for electronic couponing for payment processing. In an embodiment of the invention, an electronic couponing method for payment processing can include receiving a transaction profile for a proposed transaction as payment for a purchase by a purchaser from a merchant at a card processing terminal configured to identify a card number for a card. The method also can include presenting a coupon in the card processing terminal responsive to the transaction profile. Yet further, the method can include prompting the purchaser to redeem the coupon through the card processing terminal. Finally, the method can include reducing a payment amount for the proposed transaction if the purchaser redeems the coupon through the card processing terminal and routing the proposed transaction to a payment processor for payment processing. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112898 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION TO A CUSTOMER AT A POINT-OF-SALE VIA A WIRELESS LINK WITHIN A RETAIL STORE - A method and method for providing a customer of a retailer with information during checkout may include pairing with a mobile device during checkout of a customer at a POS system. Prior to communicating data to the mobile device, permission may be received from the customer via the mobile device to allow for data to be communicated to the mobile device. The data may be communicated to the mobile device during checkout by the customer. | 05-12-2011 |
20110145054 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONICALLY CAPTURING DIGITAL COUPONS WITH PRINTING AND REDEMPTION AT A TARGETED RETAILER - According to an embodiment of the invention, a method is performed in which a print configuration for an electronic device is saved. Therefore, a virtual print driver is installed (or activated) on the electronic device. The virtual print driver operates so that, when a digital coupon image is selected for printing, the digital coupon image is captured and re-transmitted over a network for remote storage in lieu of the digital coupon image being printed locally. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153409 | 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. | 06-23-2011 |
20110184798 | COMMODITY INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, PORTABLE TERMINAL, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - According to one embodiment, a commodity information processing system includes a second reading unit, a medium issue unit, a first storing unit having sale-in-a-set information stored therein, a specific-information generating unit, a determining unit, and an issue unit. The specifying information generating unit generates provisionally-registered commodity specifying information for specifying a commodity, commodity identification information of which is read by the second reading unit. The issue unit causes, if the determining unit determines that the commodity, the commodity identification information of which is read by the second reading unit, is a target commodity of the sale in a set, the medium issue unit to issue an information display medium on which sale-in-a-set information including the commodity as the target commodity and stored in the first storing unit and the provisionally-registered commodity specifying information are displayed. | 07-28-2011 |
20110191160 | MOBILE PAYMENT DEVICE FOR CONDUCTING TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A MERCHANT OFFER PROGRAM - Embodiments of the invention provide for a mobile payment device used to conduct transactions associated with a merchant offer program. In specific embodiments, the mobile device is equipped with short range communication mechanisms or some other form of wireless communication that allows for the mobile device to communicate customer program verification data, offer data and/or necessary payment data to a properly configured Point-Of-Sale (POS) device, such as a cash register, card reader device or the like. In other embodiments of the invention, the mobile device is in network communication with the financial institution and the financial institution is in network communication with the merchant, such that, once the customer communicates to the financial institution acceptance of an offer and the desire to conduct the corresponding transaction, the financial institution can, in turn, communicate the necessary payment data to the merchant. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191161 | Secured Mobile Transaction Device - The present invention relates to a secured transaction system. In one embodiment, a mobile client device includes a user interface configured to enable a user to select a transaction type and collect a user pin number, a processor configured to generate a secured transaction description using the transaction type and the user pin number, wherein the secured transaction description includes issuer ID, account ID, merchant ID, password, transaction amount, and transaction time stamp, and the processor is further configured to transmit the secured transaction description to a mobile processing agent for processing, and receive a transaction record from the mobile transaction processing agent, and a memory configured to store the transaction record in the mobile client device. | 08-04-2011 |
20110208576 | FUEL LOYALTY REWARDS AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM - A computer-implemented method of providing a discount for fuel to a customer is disclosed. The method includes identifying a customer to a retail store using a first reader device in operative communication with a host computer, which is communication with an identification module. The identification module creates and associates a customer with a customer identification record. A preliminary award record is created and maintained, which includes a discount-per-gallon award for fuel associated with the customer identification record in response to a purchase recognized by the host computer. The host computer adds subsequent preliminary award records to the preliminary award record associated with a customer identification to create an intermediate award record, which includes all the discount-per-gallon awards associated with the customer. A purchase of fuel is initiated by the purchaser at a fuel station with at least one fuel pump. The customer is identified by the fuel pump controller in operative communication with both a second reader device and a second identification module. The intermediate award record is retrieved by the host computer from a database and the host computer recognizes that the customer is eligible for a fuel station supplementary discount. A final discount record received by the customer and the customer is provided with the final discount associated with the final discount award record. | 08-25-2011 |
20110238483 | Systems and Methods to Distribute and Redeem Offers - In one aspect, a system includes an interchange with a data storage facility to store data associating an offer with a phone number. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The common format processor is configured to use one of the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to process a payment to a merchant, to determine, for the payment, whether the offer is applicable based on the data associating the offer with the phone number, and to apply a benefit of the offer towards the payment if the offer is applicable. | 09-29-2011 |
20110246284 | Systems and Methods for Adding Functionality to Merchant Sales and Facilitating Data Collection. - Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods and devices for adding functionality to merchant sales and facilitating data collection, including: a central server for hosting content and applications, mobile devices to access said applications and interact with electronic content, and on-site devices functioning as processing and communication equipment. All of which allows advertisers to offer customized incentives, provides merchants visibility into product flow and customer behavior, and makes available to customers an electronic mobile wallet. The integrated network functions on a real-time basis, providing instant updates, billing, inquiries, sales processing, inventory tracking, and more. | 10-06-2011 |
20110258030 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE SALE OF SUBSCRIPTIONS TO PERIODICALS - A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase). | 10-20-2011 |
20110276385 | Mobile Shopping Decision Agent - A mobile shopping decision agent application is disclosed. A wireless-enabled (e.g., WiFi) device that uses three or more routers to locate the exact position (e.g., aisle number, shelf, etc. in a store) of a user operating the wireless-enabled device to provide the user with assistance in shopping (e.g., comparison, order online, read technical specifications, read customer reviews, etc.) for a product, and allows the user to purchase the product on the spot from the merchant (or another competing merchant) direct from his/her account with a bank online or at the merchant POS/checkout. In addition, application also may use various social networking features (e.g., product recommendations from friends, recommendations from public at large, wish list, etc.) to enhance the customer's shopping experience. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282729 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PRODUCE AND CONTROL SUBSIDIZATION OF TARGETED MATERIALS AT POINT OF SALE - Disclosed is a system and method to produce and control subsidization of targeted advertising materials. According to one exemplary method, customized printer material and targeted advertising material is provided to a consumer, where the price of the customized printed material is subsidized in exchange for the consumer agreeing to receive the targeted advertising material. | 11-17-2011 |
20120030003 | POINT OF SALE VIRTUAL CUSTOMER SESSION - A terminal and methods are presented for displaying customer information about a transaction occurring on a point of sale terminal on a customer's portable computing device. Creating a virtual session on the portable computing device permits additional information to be presented to the customer. The invention allows the virtual session to be started and ended without the need for assistance by an operator for the point of sale terminal. | 02-02-2012 |
20120030004 | Electronic Offer Management System and Method Thereof - An electronic offer management system and method thereof is disclosed. In particular, the system comprises means for receiving information related to a plurality of offers distributed by a plurality of different offer distributors to customer for redemption at plurality of stores, means for automatically routing the information related to an offer to a point-of-sale system of each store in which the offer can be redeemed, and means for automatically clearing the offers redeemed by the customer at the stores. The system further comprises means for automatically reconciling financial obligations associated with each cleared offer, as well means for dynamically profiling customers so that improved offer targeting can be achieved. | 02-02-2012 |
20120041815 | Wallet Consolidator to Facilitate a Transaction - A wallet consolidator to warehouse information pertaining to at least one card and to retrieve the warehoused information to facilitate a transaction is provided. An embodiment of a Wallet consolidator can include a housing, one or more input devices positioned to receive information, and a memory device positioned to store at least a portion of the information received by the one or more input devices. The wallet consolidator can also include a radio frequency wireless communication interface associated with the housing and adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal thereby to provide at least a portion of the Information stored in the memory device to the point-of-sale terminal, a display screen, and a controller positioned within the housing in communication with and to control each of the one or more input devices, the memory device, the radio frequency wireless communication interface, and the display screen. | 02-16-2012 |
20120047009 | Methods And Systems For Implementing A Loyalty Program Utilizing Customizable Rules - A method and system for making a donation to a third party includes storing, via a storage device, a user preference in a user account; receiving, via a receiver, information regarding a purchase transaction at a merchant; accessing, via a processor, the user preference from the user account; dynamically selecting, via the processor, a percentage discount to be allocated to the purchase transaction; donating, via the processor, a monetary value of the percentage discount to the third-party according to the user preference, where the user account is associated with a user, and includes rules for allocating the percentage discount to the third-party. | 02-23-2012 |
20120084135 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING TRANSACTION RECORDS IN A NETWORK - The disclosure describes a database system and method for processing a transaction record of a transaction between a merchant and a user is provided. The system comprises a database and a server. The database stores and updates an account record and coupon records. The account record contains account data associated with the user and transaction data. The server provides update instructions for the account record to the database; communicates with a first terminal associated with the merchant to process the account record; builds the transaction record for the database using data relating to the transaction provided from the first terminal, the transaction record containing information relating to the transaction, the merchant and the customer; associates the transaction record with the transaction data in the account record; provides data relating to a selection of coupon records to the first terminal during a session relating to the transaction; and provides access to the account record to a requesting entity upon verification of access rights of the requesting entity to access the account record. | 04-05-2012 |
20120095823 | SALE METHOD AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING PRODUCT PRICE VARYING DEPENDENT UPON VALID DATE OF PRODUCT - A sales system includes a bar code scanner, a time stamp bar code adaptor, and a point of sale (POS) terminal. The time stamp bar code adaptor is configured for receiving the bar code scanned by the bar code scanner, extracting the country of origin, the manufacturer code, the product code, the date of production, the valid period, and the ID from the received bar code, and generating a sub code indicative of a ratio of a period, having elapsed from the date of production, to a point of sales, to the valid period. The POS terminal is configured for managing a product code table and a time stamp code table containing discount rate information, and calculating a discount price based on the elapsed period using the bar code and the sub code provided by the time stamp bar code adaptor. | 04-19-2012 |
20120101894 | REAL-TIME POINT REDEMPTION IN A MERCHANT REDEMPTION NETWORK - The invention includes methods and systems for use with a redemption campaign of an issuer implemented via a real-time redemption network (“RRN”), with RRN being connected to a credit/debit transaction network, and implemented via a mobile message system for an account of a cardholder having a mobile device connected to the mobile messaging system. The cardholder receives marketing engagements of a redemption campaign via a cardholder mobile device based on an approved credit/debit card transaction and having a points account associated with the card. | 04-26-2012 |
20120130797 | DISCOUNT PAYMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM USING A TEMPORARY CARD NUMBER - Disclosed is a method and system for making payment with discounted prices by using temporary card numbers. The method comprises the steps of: (a) at least one discount means being selected by a user of a mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal transmitting temporary card number issue information including the selected discount means to a temporary card number issue device, wherein the mobile terminal in advance stores a plurality of discount means that can substantially discount a transacted price; (b) the temporary card number issue device selecting and storing temporary card numbers corresponding to the temporary card number issue information and transmitting the selected temporary card numbers to the mobile terminal; (c) the mobile terminal transmitting payment information including the temporary card numbers and payment means information including information on a payment means for paying the transacted price to a credit authorization terminal (CAT) if a payment request is received from the user only for a predetermined time period from when the temporary card numbers are received, and extinguishing the temporary card numbers after the predetermined time period from when the temporary card numbers are received; and (d) the CAT receiving the payment information from the mobile terminal, transmitting a request for a transaction authorization to the payment company server by using the payment information, and receiving the transaction authorization from the payment company server. | 05-24-2012 |
20120136712 | Digital Coupon System - Disclosed are various embodiments for a digital coupon system. Digital coupons can be defined by a coupon specification received from a coupon issuer. Digital coupons can be issued to users and redeemed with third party retailer sites and/or point of sale systems. A coupon clearing house application can manage distribution, redemption, reimbursement of retailers and invoicing of coupon issuers. | 05-31-2012 |
20120173325 | Using mobile devices to make secure and reliable payments for Title of Invention store or online purchases - Payment systems currently in vogue (credit/debit cards) use a form of identity applicable only to a specific payment network (card number). This prevents the aggregation of one's payment options, and exposes the sensitive account information to the relatively insecure parts (merchant locations) of the transaction chain. | 07-05-2012 |
20120185323 | In-Store Coupon Delivery System - A system and method for delivering coupons to consumers in a retail shopping environment. The system includes an indicator positioned proximate a retail display of a discounted product. A customer directly interacts with an in-store electronic coupon delivery system. The in-store coupon delivery system assesses the products intended to be purchased and generates an output associated with reducing a purchase price by a total amount of a discount price. The output is communicated to a cashier and, upon confirmation of actual purchase of the intended products, the total purchase price is reduced by the total discount amount. The in-store coupon delivery system provides a merchandise discount system that can be quickly and economically configured to satisfy the requirements of a particular retailer and a system that is less susceptible to nefarious interaction such as redemption of invalid coupons. | 07-19-2012 |
20120203620 | Techniques For Wireless Communication Of Proximity Based Marketing - A system and method for proximity based marketing is disclosed between a mobile computing device having a Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a Proximity Short Range Communication (PSRC) device associated with a product or service using near field magnetic induction. The SRC device and/or the PSRC device can include at least two substantially mutually orthogonal antennas to provide magnetic antenna diversity. The method comprises defining a proximity boundary with dimensions defined by at least one of a communication range of the SRC and PSRC devices and a receive sensitivity of at least one of the SRC and PSRC devices. A proximity signal is communicated in the proximity boundary between the SRC device and the PSRC device. An action is performed by at least one of the SRC and PSRC devices when the proximity signal is detected. | 08-09-2012 |
20120215619 | OFFER INSERTION SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 08-23-2012 |
20120265601 | Advertising Campaigns in Retail Outlets and Restaurants - Disclosed is advertising campaigns to attract customers to a business or establishment. One or more advertising campaign parameters are provided to a location based service operating on one or more computer systems. An identification for each appropriate customer is provided by a location based service. A promotion code for a discount for a service or product offered by the business is provided to each appropriate customer. The promotion code is used at a point of sale device of the business when an appropriate customer presents the promotion code at the point of sale. Variations are described. | 10-18-2012 |
20120296732 | POINT OF SALE SYSTEM FOR RETAIL, HAVING AUTOMATIC INCLUSION OF PRICE REDUCTIONS IN A FLEXIBLE MANNER WHILE PROTECTING CUSTOMER DATA - The invention relates to a point of sale system comprising a point of sale device ( | 11-22-2012 |
20120303440 | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING AND REDEEMING DIGITAL COUPONS - 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. | 11-29-2012 |
20120316951 | SECURE ELEMENT - A method for configuring a mobile communication device to perform transactions using a second communication channel that is different from a first communication channel through which the mobile communication device sends voice data. The method includes attaching a secure element to the mobile communication device. The secure element includes a memory storing an application, a processor configured to execute the application stored in the memory; and a wireless transceiver configured to send transaction data associated with the executed application through the second communication channel to a terminal that is remote from the mobile communication device. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323669 | INCENTIVIZING LOW-TRANSACTION-COST PAYMENTS - Payers may be incentivized to change from a first payment option to a second payment option, if the second payment option has a lower transaction cost than the first payment option. In one example, a user makes a payment through an on-line system. The user chooses a payment instrument, such as a credit card, to make the payment. A system then determines whether there the user's chosen instrument has the lowest transaction cost, or if there are ways of making the payment that have lower transaction costs. If lower-cost ways of making the payment exist, the user may be offered an incentive to change to a payment method that has a lower transaction cost. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323670 | MOBILE PAYMENTS USING AN NFC STICKER WITHOUT AUTHENTICATION - A method for configuring a mobile communication device to perform transactions using a second communication channel that is different from a first communication channel through which the mobile communication device sends voice data. The method includes attaching a secure element to the mobile communication device. The secure element includes a memory storing an application, a processor configured to execute the application stored in the memory; and a wireless transceiver configured to send transaction data associated with the executed application through the second communication channel to a terminal that is remote from the mobile communication device. | 12-20-2012 |
20120330743 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SERVICE TRANSACTION FOR A MOBILE DEVICE - A method for providing a service transaction for a mobile device of a user at a point of sale (POS) of a supplier, wherein | 12-27-2012 |
20120330744 | Real-Time Multi-Merchant Multi-Payer Multi-Bucket Open Loop Debit Card, Credit Card or Mobile Payment Device Value Tracking and Discount Processing Systems and Related Methods - A system for receiving a real-time discount with an open loop debit card, credit card or mobile payment device in a multi-merchant, multi-payer commercial environment. The system has a plurality of buckets with information concerning discounts currently available, a point of sale (POS) device initiates a transaction, a financial processor transmits a query to an account issuing bank to determine whether the payer has sufficient funds for the transaction, the issuing bank communicates with the discount system in real time to determine if a discount is available, if a discount is available, the issuing bank borrows the amount of the discount by from an issuing bank discount reserve pooled (IBDRP) account and the issuing bank credits the payer's account in real time with the amount of the discount. | 12-27-2012 |
20130013390 | Point of Sale System - There is disclosed a system has a POS terminal comprising a display output interface and an identification input interface, the POS terminal being programmed: to receive identification data via the identification input interface, the identification data identifying a selected product for processing by the POS terminal, to process the identification data to generate alphanumeric text data encoding a description of the selected product, and to output the alphanumeric text data via the display output interface; a display unit; and a controller, programmed: to receive the alphanumeric text data from the POS terminal display output interface, to process the alphanumeric text data to generate further identification data identifying the selected product, to process the further identification data to select graphical data appropriate for the selected product, and to output the graphical data to the display unit. A controller, method, computer readable medium and computer are also disclosed. | 01-10-2013 |
20130024267 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONIC COUPON INSTANT REWARDING - Described herein are methods and systems for implementing personalized targeting via electronic coupons, providing aggregate cap control of electronic coupons, implementing viral marketing using electronic coupons, and performing real time processing of electronic coupons. | 01-24-2013 |
20130041746 | Methods and Systems of Electronic Messaging - Methods and systems of electronic messaging for verification and/or authentication purposes using a point of sale terminal and a card transaction processing network involve, for example, receiving data consisting at least in part of a consumer's identifier that is processable through a transaction card processing network and a nominal monetary amount which is an indicator that the data relates at least in part to a coupon redemption for a consumer. Other aspects include, for example, using different nominal amounts to distinguish between multiple promotions and processing overcharges. Additional aspects involve, for example, receiving data consisting at least in part of an identifier for a registrant that is processable through a transaction card processing network and a nominal monetary amount which serves at least in part to identify a command message on behalf of the registrant. | 02-14-2013 |
20130054344 | CODE READING APPARATUS, SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SALES DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A code reading apparatus comprises a photographing section configured to image an image, a commodity information reading section configured to read commodity information from a code symbol, an image detection section configured to detect an image suitable for the pattern image from the photographs photographed by the photographing section through pattern recognition by referring to a storage section in which the service information relevant to the service to be provided to a customer is stored in association with a pattern image for pattern recognition on a service display displaying the service, a service information reading section configured to read the service information corresponding to the pattern image suitable for the image detected by the image detection section from the storage section and an information output section configured to output the commodity information read by the commodity information reading section and the service information read by the service information reading section. | 02-28-2013 |
20130073373 | SINGLE TAP TRANSACTIONS USING A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL - The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080240 | SINGLE TAP TRANSACTIONS USING A SERVER - The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device. | 03-28-2013 |
20130080241 | REDEEMING COUPONS USING NFC - The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device. | 03-28-2013 |
20130085835 | APPLYING MOBILE DIGITAL COUPONS AT THE POINT OF SALE - During a transaction involving a customer purchasing items at a terminal, one or more of coupon data, basket data, or a token are transferred between the terminal and a mobile device associated with the customer, via a proximity-based link. The proximity-based link may be established, without limitation, via NFC, RFID, or other short-range interfaces. For example, a customer may place an NFC component embedded in the customer's mobile device near an NFC component of the terminal. Various techniques are described for causing one or more coupons to be applied to the transaction based on the information transferred over the proximity-based link. | 04-04-2013 |
20130103486 | Checkout Queue Virtualization System for Retail Establishments - Disclosed is a system and mechanism that virtualizes a physical queue in a retail establishment. Customers using this system have the ability to indicate they would like to pay now (i.e., enter the virtual queue) using a button on their mobile device, and then they continue shopping until the mobile device informs them to proceed to a checkout counter. In addition, the system implements features that address users waiting in the queue. One feature is about transactions within the queue. This means that customers can buy priority using their mobile device, while waiting. Another feature is targeted advertisement and recommendation of products, leading to increased impulsive purchases. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103487 | SMART CARD WITH PRODUCT SUBSTANTIATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is presented for using smart cards to provide promotions to consumers. Data on the card is combined with an approved product list, such as that provided in WIC embodiments, to provide both promotional details and track usage by the user. | 04-25-2013 |
20130151328 | ARTICLE SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SALES DATA EDITING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an article sales data processing apparatus includes a display unit which displays a registration screen, and a control unit which displays an editing screen for sales data of an article selected from among articles sold in one transaction on the display unit, the editing screen including an image of each of an undo button, a unit price change button, a number of items change button, and a discount button. | 06-13-2013 |
20130159089 | DISTRIBUTING COUPONS TO USERS OF A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM USING A NEWSFEED - A social networking system distributes offers to its users using the social networking users' news feed or another communication channel in the social networking system. To distribute offers, the social networking system receives a post from an advertising user, which includes a coupon or other offer that can be redeemed at a merchant establishment. The post generates an offer story that includes the post with the offer, and an option for claiming the offer. The social networking system sends the offer story to a viewing user of the social networking system, and receives from the viewing user a selection of the option for claiming the offer. To further distribute the offer, the social networking system sends a news story about the viewing user claiming the offer in a feed of news stories to one or more other users of the social networking system who are connected to the viewing user. | 06-20-2013 |
20130159090 | CHECK-OUT BASED DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF DIGITAL PROMOTIONS - Coupon information is provided electronically in association with receipts for transactions at physical stores and/or online stores. A retailer causes performance of a transaction in which one or more items are purchased. An interface configured to accept input indicating a customer identifier, such as an email address, associated with the transaction is provided. When input has been received via the interface, it is determined whether the identifier is associated with a known customer identity. If the customer identifier is associated with a known identity, digital coupons associated with that identity are applied against the transaction. An electronic receipt is further provided for the transaction via, for instance, the provided email address or a web-based application in which a session is established in connection with the identity. | 06-20-2013 |
20130191204 | Payment Program for Use in Point-of-Sale Transactions - In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and/or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card. | 07-25-2013 |
20130204693 | SALES BONUS REWARD SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sales bonus reward system and method includes a central controller, at least one cash register and a judgment unit. The central controller generates an accumulated award random value. The cash register generates a sales bonus after checkout of a consumption activity. The judgment unit accumulates the sales bonus to generate an accumulated sales bonus and offers the accumulated sales bonus as an incentive reward when it is greater than the accumulated award random value. Thus consumers are stimulated to spend more in order to get extra accumulated sales bonus in the consumption. As a result, business revenue can increase and profits can be boosted. | 08-08-2013 |
20130282474 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REWARDS TO A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE AT THE POINT OF SALE - A method of providing rewards to a user by storing, in a portable computing device, user profile data which may be accessed by a merchant terminal. A merchant terminal interacts with the portable computing device by accessing the user profile data from the portable computing device, and providing the user with a reward in accordance with the user profile data accessed by the merchant terminal, wherein the merchant terminal provides a relatively greater reward to the user when relatively more user profile data is accessed by the merchant terminal and a relatively lesser reward to the user when relatively less data is accessed by the merchant terminal. | 10-24-2013 |
20130297401 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ORIENTED SWITCH OF PROMOTION INFORMATION - The present invention discloses a method of printing promotion information, comprises receiving data to be printed from the POS terminal; in response to the data to be printed, determining promotion information according to policy conditions; and printing the data to be printed from the POS terminal and the promotion information. The present invention constructs a platform for cooperation of different publishers of the promotion information and oriented switch of the promotion information. Moreover, the present invention utilizes the existing POS systems with low cost for configuration and distribution which is further advantageous on implementation. | 11-07-2013 |
20130325582 | CAMPAIGN REWARD SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES OFFERS TO USERS VIA THEIR MOBILE DEVICES - A campaign offer system provides an offer to a user with a mobile device. A service provider includes one or more servers with engines and attached storage. The service provider is configured to be in communication with a mobile application running on a user mobile device. A retailer gateway is in communication with a retailer checkout system. The retailer gateway is in communication with the service provider. The retailer gateway communicates with a retailer checkout system via existing retailer checkout system peripheral device communication protocols without a need to modify the communications protocols or modify a retailer checkout system software code. A mobile application is provided that runs on a user mobile device in communication with the service provider. The mobile application and retailer gateway communicate with the server-based engine to provide for distribution, redemption and clearing of the offer. | 12-05-2013 |
20130339125 | METHOD AND PROCESSES FOR SECURE REAL TIME PURCHASE VALIDATION AWARD SYSTEM - A method and processes for a secure real-time processing of purchase validation award requests is described. The method includes processes to submit purchase information on a real-time basis and to check on the status of the processing of the submitted purchase validation award system request also on a real-time basis. The method uses a computer information network to perform the required processes. | 12-19-2013 |
20140019224 | FACILITATING CONSUMER ACTIVITY THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC CARD DEVICE - An electronic card device includes a Radio Frequency (RF) circuit configured to receive information from a remote broadcast transmitter, a memory associated with the RF circuit to store a unique identifier of the electronic card device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to enable reception of the information from the remote broadcast transmitter based on the unique identifier of the electronic card device in the memory to generate data configured to facilitate consumer activity on part of a user of the electronic card device through the electronic card device. Also, the electronic card device includes a display unit integrated therewith configured to display output data related to the data generated through the processor. | 01-16-2014 |
20140046750 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND PROVIDING COUPONS AT A POINT OF RETURN - Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information. | 02-13-2014 |
20140058823 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING PRINT MEDIA COUPONS TO VIRTUAL COUPONS AND REDEEMING SAME - A print media coupon may be converted to a virtual print media coupon by a device which captures an image of information on the print media coupon and which creates the virtual print media coupon based on the captured image. The virtual print media coupon may be stored in a virtual coupon repository associated with a customer of a retail enterprise that controls the repository, and/or may be stored in another memory. Alternatively or additionally, a virtual print media coupon displayed on a mobile device may be stored in the virtual coupon repository after scanning during the purchase transaction. | 02-27-2014 |
20140081738 | INTELLIGENT POINT OF SALE SYSTEM - A customer can be recognized at a point-of-sale (POS) system. The customer can be recognized using a customer card or using image processing technology. The POS system is a self-service POS system. The scan rate for the customer can be compared with a minimum scan rate using a processor, and an action can be initiated responsive to the comparing. | 03-20-2014 |
20140089078 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CARBON EMISSION CREDITS AT A FUEL DISPENSING STATION USING VEHICLE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS DATA - Systems and methods are provided for managing carbon emission credits associated with a vehicle fueling at a fuel dispensing station. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a request via a communications network for a vehicle fueling transaction at a fuel dispensing station; determining a pump identifier associated with the fuel dispensing station; sending a message to a store controller associated with the pump identifier for a fuel amount dispensed by the fuel dispensing station; receiving the fuel amount from the store controller; receiving on-board diagnostics (OBD) data associated with the vehicle; calculating a carbon emission adjustment based on the OBD data; and determining an estimated carbon emissions amount associated with the vehicle fueling transaction by applying the carbon emission adjustment to a predetermined carbon emissions amount for the fuel amount. | 03-27-2014 |
20140108123 | USER DEFINED POINT-OF-SALE COUPONS AND PAYMENTS - A system and method for defining a User Defined Coupon (UDC) is provided. In one implementation, a method for defining a UDC includes: identifying a source of funds for the UDC; receiving a user selection of a coupon to apply the funds; and generating the UDC for use at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal for application to a cost of a purchase at the POS terminal. In another implementation, a system for defining a UDC includes: a UDC clearinghouse computer adapted to receive user selection information comprising a source of funds for the UDC and a user selection of a coupon to apply the funds; and generate the UDC for use at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal for application to a cost of a purchase at the POS terminal. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108124 | System and method for offering and fulfilling situation-based, location specific rewards and offers to mobile-oriented consumers - A system, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for advertising. A system configured to practice the method receives user situation information. Based on the situation information, the system transmits an advertisement to the user's mobile device, wherein the advertisement is associated with an identification card and a coupon and transmitted independent of any user solicitation for a communication and independent of a request for a product or a service. The system receives input from the user via the advertisement for purposes other than redeeming the coupon; and, and receives an indication of a purchase associated with the advertisement and completed at a point of sale device using the identification card, wherein the mobile device differs from the point of sale device and wherein the purchase is at full price and a rebate associated with the coupon and the identification card is provided to the user. | 04-17-2014 |
20140122215 | TECHNIQUES TO MAXIMIZE RETAIL TRAFFIC - Techniques for maximizing retail traffic are provided. A retailer defines or provides a service to automatically define a promotion to increase retail traffic and business. The promotion is dynamically delivered to specific consumers based on defined criteria for selecting the specific consumers. The promotion is automatically turned off when a desired level of traffic is reached at the retailer. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122216 | POINT OF SALE PAYMENT METHOD - The invention concerns a method of making a payment transaction between a customer and a merchant using a payment card ( | 05-01-2014 |
20140156375 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING COUPONS OVER A PAYMENT PROCESSING NETWORK - A system of electronically requesting, generating and processing a coupon over a payment processing network is provided. During a sales transaction, a purchaser at a point of sale (POS) terminal provides a customer identifier using a card with a magnetic stripe which is read by a magnetic card reader and then transmitted across the payment processing network along with product identifiers on the products being purchased. The customer identifier includes a banking identification number (BIN) which is read by a first server in the payment processing network and then forwarded to a coupon server. The coupon server uses the customer identifier and product identifier to select any coupons that are available for use by the purchaser and transmits the coupons back to the POS terminal, where the coupons are applied to the sales transaction. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156376 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CODE TRANSLATION - Value documents such as coupons and event tickets that are represented or indexed in the form of QR codes or other types of two-dimensional encoding techniques may be acquired by imaging with a suitably-enabled mobile device, and then translated in the mobile device into a form suitable for presentation as a one-dimensional barcode at a point-of-sale/service using light-simulated barcode technology. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156377 | SALES PROMOTION ASSISTING SYSTEM - Sales promotion assisting systems are disclosed. Such systems include a sales promotion assisting system in which specific incentive is retrieved by passing a portable terminal or the like over a predetermined terminal installed in a store such as an eating and drinking establishment. An incentive can be exchanged for an item or the like of application software such as a game, which can lead to sales promotion. | 06-05-2014 |
20140164092 | REMOTE TRANSACTION PROCESSING AT A SERVER USING A DEFAULT PAYMENT METHOD AND COUPONS - A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. | 06-12-2014 |
20140172538 | OFFER INSERTION SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer and merchant accounts are stored in a data store. Each consumer account has a first consumer account identifier. Each merchant account has a merchant account identifier. A merchant offer is stored in the data store in association with the merchant account having the respective merchant account identifier. A push module associates the merchant offer with the consumer account identifier. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device, the charge request including an amount and a second consumer account identifier and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first consumer account identifiers with the second consumer account identifier. A transaction processing system that processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. | 06-19-2014 |
20140188591 | Techniques For Delivering A Product Promotion To A Consumer - A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, at a processing device of a commerce server, one or more signals from a head mountable unit corresponding to a forward direction and a position of the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of identifying, with the processing device, at least one product that is in the forward direction of the head mountable unit based on the signal received from the head mountable unit. The method also includes the step of obtaining, with the processing device, at least one product promotion for the at least one product. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the at least one product promotion to the head mountable unit. | 07-03-2014 |
20140207556 | POINT OF SALE OFFER REDEMPTIONS - Processing of point of sale (“POS”) redemptions via a “tap” of a contactless device comprises a POS data collector that facilitates a connection with a contactless device. A merchant scans items for purchase using a POS scanner, which captures product identification information. The POS scanner forwards the product identification information to a POS terminal. The POS data collector intercepts the product identification information between the POS scanner and the POS terminal. A user taps the contactless device in the POS data collector's radio frequency field, and a communication channel is established between the contactless device and the POS data collector. The POS data collector identifies the user via the contactless device and identifies coupons, merchant offers, and other value-added services to redeem with the transaction. The POS data collector forwards this information to the POS terminal, the redemptions are applied to the transaction, and the communication is terminated. | 07-24-2014 |
20140214520 | TECHNIQUES FOR ONLINE PRICE MATCH - Techniques for online price matching are provided. A consumer submits a price offer to a network-based servicer for a product or service. The price offer is directed to or resolved to a specific brick-and-mortar store. The brick-and-mortar store determines whether the price offer can be matched and when it can be matched; a coupon redeemable by the consumer at the brick-and-mortar store is communicated to the consumer. The coupon permits the consumer to acquire the product or service at the price offer provided by an online retailer to the consumer. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214521 | Bankcard-System-Based Communication Method Achieving Instantaneous Settlement Between Merchant, Consumer and Distributor - The present invention utilizes an existing transaction processing and clearance system and POS equipment and implement a management module in the transaction and clearance processing system and a real-time processing module in POS equipment. As such, the present invention allows real time transmission and update of transaction information to the relevant transaction processing and clearance system so as to enhance management and clearance ability thereof. With the use and implementation of the present invention, the participating or clearance bank may effectively monitor the transaction information of the promotional events and allows electronic communication and processing of the transaction information which has not been currently available, and which brings radical changes to and enhance efficiency of current manual transaction clearance practice. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222545 | METHOD OF ENHANCING POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEMS - A method of operating a point-of-sale (POS) system ( | 08-07-2014 |
20140222546 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TRANSACTIONS WITH A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A method and system include verifying credentials for gaming access to a transactional controller with the portable computing device. The transactional controller may receive a merchant identifier corresponding to a merchant and then it may compare the merchant identifier against loyalty account data stored in a database. The transactional controller may also receive product scan data and compare the product scan data against one of offer data and coupon data in a database. After these comparisons, any matches of product scan data, to offer data or coupon data may be sent to the PCD and the POS controller. Similarly, any matches of the merchant identifier to loyalty account data may be transmitted to the POS controller. During or after the purchase transaction, a message may be generated by the transaction, controller which lists one or more preferred payment options that may be selected using the PCD to complete a purchase. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236701 | MOBILE PHONE BASED REBATE DEVICE FOR REDEMPTION AT A POINT OF SALE TERMINAL - Virtual mobile rewards, gift cards, and/or physical world retailers' loyalty and reward programs are aggregated into a common account accessible and transactional from an Internet capable mobile radio device. Subscribers gain access to discounted codes, coupons, rebates, gift cards, and/or limited time offers, on their mobile device for food, travel, lifestyle, electronics, and entertainment products that fit their lifestyle spending habits, enabling users to edit participating retailers, manage separate account balances, and present preferred discounted offers at retailers and apply discount towards purchase of goods. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236702 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND PROVIDING COUPONS AT A POINT OF RETURN - Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236703 | SERVER-BASED PRODUCT SUBSTANTIATION WITH LOCAL FILTERING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. A promotion product filter can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The promotion product filter can include promotions from a plurality of programs. | 08-21-2014 |
20140244377 | Systems and methods for electronic gifting - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electronic gifting. In an exemplary gift purchasing method, a control system receives from a purchasing system a gift purchase request that includes a mobile telephone number (or other unique telephonic identifier) associated with a wireless gift recipient system, sends to a payment authorization system a payment authorization request, receives a payment authorization, and notifies the wireless gift recipient system of an electronic gift certificate. In an exemplary gift redemption method, the control system receives a gift redemption request for goods/services from a point-of-sale (POS) system, sends an authentication request addressed to the wireless gift recipient system by way of text message or other format, receives an authentication confirmation originating from the wireless gift recipient, and sends a redemption authorization to the vendor POS system. The control system has modules for conducting a targeted marketing campaign utilizing purchase and/or redemption information. | 08-28-2014 |
20140257964 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POINT-OF-SALE (POS) UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE DETECTION, BLOCKING AND INJECTING - A system, method and computer program product for processing promotions, including a universal product code (UPC) injection sub-system coupled between a UPC reader device and a point-of-sale (POS) device. The universal product code (UPC) injection sub-system including an interface device coupled between the UPC reader device and the POS device and incorporating an OR function to prevent disruption of an existing data stream between the POS device and the UPC reader device; and a controller device coupled to the interface device. The controller device via the interface device is configured to detect a UPC transmitted between the UPC reader and the POS device, block a UPC transmitted between the UPC reader and the POS device, and inject a UPC into the POS device. The POS device performs a POS function based on a received UPC from the controller device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140278905 | TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT - Transaction management includes receiving a customer identifier and information for a purchase transaction via a network that interfaces with a point of purchase. The customer identifier is associated with identification information for financial accounts and offers. The transaction management also includes accessing a customer account via the customer identifier, retrieving vendor access information, and accessing customer information from a data source of a vendor. The customer information includes at least two of: an accrued rewards benefit, gift card balance, currently offered discount and rebate for a good or service, currently offered discount and rebate for the vendor, interest rate on a lender-issued account, and balance on a payment card account. The transaction management further includes applying rules to the information for the purchase transaction and the financial accounts and offers. The rules calculate a payment function that results in a greatest economic benefit to a customer associated with the customer identifier. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278906 | COUPON SYSTEM - A coupon system has a central computer, an ad placement program operably installed on the central computer, and a master coupon program operably installed on the central computer. The ad placement program receives the coupons from the promoters via the network, associates each of the coupons with at least one UPC identifying the product(s), and determines a price for placement of and/or use of each of the coupons in association with the at least one UPC. The master coupon program transmits the coupons to the users with reference to a selected UPC received from a user. | 09-18-2014 |
20140297392 | ELECTRONIC COUPON DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION - A system includes a processor that generates a coupon savings account for a consumer. The coupon savings account includes coupon preference data received from a consumer device of the consumer The processor associates a consumer identifier with the coupon savings account. The processor receives digital coupon data from an issuer-device. The digital coupon data includes a discount for the product or service. The processor associates the digital coupon data with the coupon savings account based at least in part on the coupon preference data The processor receives purchase data from a retailer device. The purchase data includes the consumer identifier and an indication that the consumer is purchasing the product or service The processor causes the digital coupon data to be sent to the retailer device. The processor generates an invoice. The invoice indicates an amount of funds to be transferred from an issuer financial account. | 10-02-2014 |
20140316879 | INTEGRATED PAYMENT METHOD USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a method for performing an integrated payment using Near Field Communication (NFC). The method is performed using a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag information from a payment system in an NFC scheme. The mobile terminal analyzes the received RFID tag information, and then extracts an integrated payment application which corresponds to the RFID tag information. The mobile terminal drives the integrated payment application and transmits discount benefit information to the payment system. | 10-23-2014 |
20140337117 | STORE SOLUTIONS - Disclosed are systems and methods that time correlate input at a point of entry of consumer data of least two identifications for products, prescriptions, vouchers, or codes, uses positive correlation determinations for triggering output of predetermined information. The time correlation of identifications may be used to build a time correlation database, and thereafter use that database for targeted communications. Related inventions include an intelligent Y cable or the like to filter data transmitted from a scanner at a point of entry of consumer data, and a novel POS CS configured to receive bar codes that would otherwise cause the POS CS to enter an error condition. | 11-13-2014 |
20140344047 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A DISCOUNT DOCUMENT HAVING AN UNRECOGNIZED IDENTIFIER - Systems and methods for managing purchase transactions associated with a discount document having an unrecognized identifier are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving an identifier of a document associated with a discount. The method also includes receiving user input that associates the identifier with a purchase transaction. Further, the method includes applying the discount to the purchase transaction. The method also includes processing an audit of the purchase transaction based on the document. | 11-20-2014 |
20140351040 | RECEIPT RENDERING IN A PREPAID ARCHITECTURE - A method for maintaining a prepaid payment system comprises a user account that can be utilized to complete a purchase transaction with a merchant. A delayed processing window is introduced between a time when the merchant receives a payment approval notification from the payment system and a time when the payment system transmits a payment request to an issuer of a funding account associated with the user's payment system account. The payment system utilizes a user's stored value account maintained by the payment system to satisfy the requirements of a prepaid program, and therefore processes the payment request received from the merchant and transmits the payment approval notification without obtaining prior authorization from the issuer of the funding account. The payment system submits one or more payment requests for the funding transaction at a time after the completion of the purchase transaction between the user and the merchant. | 11-27-2014 |
20140372199 | ELECTRONIC COUPON SYSTEM - Provided is an electronic coupon system capable of saving, in a mobile information terminal, electronic coupons having high likelihood of being used by a user, from among electronic coupons delivered by digital broadcast radio waves, whereby the user can use the electronic coupons without forgetting. The electronic coupon system ( | 12-18-2014 |
20150019321 | USING UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE TO RETRIEVE COUPONS AT CHECKOUT - An online coupon source can create mappings between UPCs and consumers. The mapped UPCs can then be provided to the consumers' mobile devices for display during checkout. After a retailer system scans a mapped UPC during checkout, it sends the mapped UPC to the online coupon source. The online coupon source uses the mapped UPC to identify the consumer and to retrieve the consumer's applicable coupons for use during checkout. Once a mapped UPC has been used to retrieve coupons, the mapped UPC can be unmapped to allow the UPC to be mapped to another consumer. A retailer system can send a mapped UPC in response to a tender type being selected during checkout. | 01-15-2015 |
20150025956 | Systems and Methods for Transaction Processing Using Various Value Types - The present subject discloses systems and methods for processing transaction payments. More specifically, the present subject discloses systems and methods in which transactions are processed for payment from any of a plurality of applicable purses associated with an account, wherein the plurality of purses include values defined by: currency; SKUs; discounts; conditional values; loyalty points; or other non-standard currencies and/or various combinations thereof. | 01-22-2015 |
20150073890 | Printing System and Printer - A printing system can easily configure a data terminal when a POS application running on a server is used from a data terminal. | 03-12-2015 |
20150095133 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONSUMER FACING POINT-OF-SALE INTERFACES - Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing point-of-sale functionality are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including a merchant device and a consumer facing device. The merchant device may include a merchant display device configured to present interactive displays of a merchant facing interface configured to be used by merchants. The consumer facing device may be configured to present interactive displays of a consumer facing interface configured to be used by consumers. The point-of-sale system may be configured to facilitate financial transactions and other forms of consumer service. For example, merchant inputs provided via the merchant facing interface (e.g., entered menu items) may be shown on the consumer facing interface. In another example, consumer inputs provided via the consumer facing interface be sent to the merchant device and/or otherwise used by the merchant device to facilitate a financial transaction, among other things. | 04-02-2015 |
20150095134 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONSUMER FACING POINT-OF-SALE INTERFACES - Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing point-of-sale functionality are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including a merchant device and a consumer facing device. The merchant device may include a merchant display device configured to present interactive displays of a merchant facing interface configured to be used by merchants. The consumer facing device may be configured to present interactive displays of a consumer facing interface configured to be used by consumers. The point-of-sale system may be configured to facilitate financial transactions and other forms of consumer service. For example, merchant inputs provided via the merchant facing interface (e.g., entered menu items) may be shown on the consumer facing interface. In another example, consumer inputs provided via the consumer facing interface be sent to the merchant device and/or otherwise used by the merchant device to facilitate a financial transaction, among other things. | 04-02-2015 |
20150112789 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING VALUE OF CONSUMER OFFERS - A method and system for determining an optimal combination of value offers from a plurality of value offers available to a consumer having selected a group of products or services for purchase. | 04-23-2015 |
20150112790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SAVING DEAL OFFERS TO BE APPLIED AT A POINT-OF-SALE (POS) OF A RETAIL STORE - A system and method of saving deal offers to be applied at a point-of-sale (POS) of a retail store may include receiving, by a mobile device via a communications network, multiple advertisements inclusive of selectable deal offers of products being sold at the retail store for a user to select. Responsive to a user selecting to view an advertisement of a product on the mobile device, the deal offer of the product to be presented to the POS to be applied to a cost of the product may be automatically stored. Responsive to a check out request at the mobile device, data inclusive of the deal offer to be presented to the POS to apply the deal offer to the cost of the product to which the deal offer is associated may be generated. | 04-23-2015 |
20150134441 | Table-side device integration to a point-of-sale (POS) hospitality system - A table-side device is seamlessly and securely integrated to an existing customer POS system within an operating environment, irrespective of the particular operating characteristics of the POS system. In one embodiment, this is achieved by providing a middleware component that executes in the POS system, preferably in the form of an agent that interfaces each table-side device to the POS system for one of: order entry and update, check management, and payment handling. The POS agent is associated with a plug-in component, which is uniquely associated with the particular POS system. The POS agent preferably includes a communication interface through which table-side devices issue requests to the POS system through the plug-in component. The agent middleware enables the single service provider system to interoperate with various types of POS systems irrespective of the underlying differences in implementation among these various third party POS systems. | 05-14-2015 |
20150379552 | Virtual coupon delivery from coupon server to ACH to POS actuated by mobile phone scan of QR code - Methods and systems for barcode enabled virtual coupon search, retrieval, presentation, and redemption via telecommunications devices. One system includes using a mobile phone camera to scan product barcodes. The system further includes an Internet connected coupon server that, in response to user queries via mobile phone camera scans of product barcodes, retrieves and displays on mobile phone product-specific primary and competing product secondary coupon images for user selection. In response to mobile phone user selection of desired coupons, the system stores in a pending file on coupon server, product-specific primary and competing product secondary coupons, in the form of a coupon issuer reloadable and scalable stored coupon value with an escrow account or merchant bank account number, for matching bar code search request. | 12-31-2015 |
20160012470 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR SECURE NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION OF A NON-SECURE MEMORY ELEMENT PAYLOAD | 01-14-2016 |
20160048865 | ACTIVATING OFFERS BASED ON LOCATION - Providing offers to a point of sale (“POS”) terminal utilizes a digital wallet of a user and a digital wallet system. A digital wallet account stores offers provided by merchants, manufacturers, and others. The offers are associated with a particular geographic location. When a user computing device operating the digital wallet application is in a location associated with the POS terminal, the digital wallet application accesses the location of the user computing device. If an offer is associated with the location of the user computing device, the offer is readied for communication to the POS terminal. When the user taps the user computing device to the POS terminal, the offer is communicated to the POS terminal for application to the transaction. If the user leaves the location that is associated with the offer, the offer parameters are removed from the secure element. | 02-18-2016 |
20160063534 | Customer Exercise Reward Method And Shopping Cart For Same - A customer exercise reward method includes measuring work done by a customer and pushing a shopping cart through a store. At a check out location in the store, a customer reward is determined proportional to the work done. An amount due by the customer to the store for items brought by the customer from item locations in the store to the check out location is determined. At least a portion of the customer reward is redeemed by reducing the amount due. | 03-03-2016 |
20160078424 | INDUCTION BASED MOBILE TRANSACTIONS - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for completing a transaction using a wireless mobile communication channel and another communication channel, particularly another communication channel that provides for near field radio channels (NFC), as well as other communication channels, such as Bluetooth or WIFI. The present invention also provides a method of completing a transaction in which a management server assists a transaction server and a point of sale terminal in forwarding transaction information to a hand-held mobile device, with the transaction having originated from the hand-held mobile device. There is also provided a hand-held mobile device that wirelessly communicates between a secure element and a radio element that are associated with the hand-held mobile device. | 03-17-2016 |
20160086147 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEVERAGING A PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION ENVIRONMENT FOR OFFERING AND FULFILLING THE CROSS SELLING OF PRODUCTS TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS, UP SELLING, AND ACQUISITION OF NEW CUSTOMERS - A method, system and computer program product for communicating to a consumer one or more offers at a merchant communication device are provided. Predefined offers are stored in a database. A portal selects one or more of the predefined offers, which are then communicated to the consumer through the merchant communication device. The consumer's response to the at least one offer is accepted and the transaction is completed accordingly. | 03-24-2016 |
20160092908 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AUTOMATIC PRODUCT DISCOUNTS AT POINT OF SALE - A method for processing account and product linked offers includes: storing data related to a payment transaction including a transaction amount, product data associated with one or more products, and account data associated with a transaction account; transmitting an offer data request, wherein the offer request includes the stored product data and account data; receiving offer data in response to the transmitted offer data request, wherein the offer data includes a transaction modifier and is associated with the stored product data and account data; calculating a modified transaction amount based on the stored transaction amount and the transaction modifier included in the received offer data; and transmitting the calculated modified transaction amount and account data for use in processing a payment transaction. | 03-31-2016 |
20160117715 | PAYMENT DATA SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An electronic offer system including a payment instrument reader for reading payment instrument data from a payment instrument and an offer-payment instrument account association (O-PIAA) server communicating with the payment instrument reader and automatically operative in response to reading of the payment instrument data by the payment instrument reader to associate at least one offer in an offer program with a payment instrument account indicated by the payment instrument data. | 04-28-2016 |
20160125449 | EXTENSIBLE POINT-OF-SALE PLATFORMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A computer-implemented method for an extensible point-of-sale device is disclosed. The method includes registering a third-party application to be notified of a transaction change on the point-of-sale device. The method also includes displaying a user interface to a user during a purchase transaction on a display of the point-of-sale device using one of a register module and a payment module. The method also includes receiving the transaction change via the user interface of the point-of-sale device. The method also includes broadcasting the transaction change to a set of registered applications that includes the third-party application. The method also includes taking an action that modifies the purchase transaction using the third-party application in response to the broadcasting. | 05-05-2016 |
20160148244 | DUAL REDEMPTION PATH WITH SHARED BENEFITS SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. A promotion product filter can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The promotion product filter can include promotions from a plurality of programs. | 05-26-2016 |
20160189125 | SERVER-BASED PRODUCT SUBSTANTIATION WITH LOCAL FILTERING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is presented for product substantiation and promotion redemption. A purchased product list is transmitted from a retail store system to a promotion analysis server along with a user identifier. The promotion analysis server identifies promotions available to the user, and then considers whether the benefits under the promotions are still available to the user. Discounts for available promotions related to the purchased product list are calculated and transmitted to the retail store system for deduction from the transactions. A promotion product filter can be provided that filters the purchased product list before transmittal. The promotion product filter can include promotions from a plurality of programs. | 06-30-2016 |
20180025339 | Mobile Phone Based Transactions at a Point of Sale Terminal | 01-25-2018 |
20190147484 | POS TERMINAL(S) WITH FREE FORM REWARDS ARCHITECTURE | 05-16-2019 |
20190147486 | CRYPTO-CURRENCY REWARDS NETWORK | 05-16-2019 |